“Princess?” Nina lifted her brows in question.
Without taking her eyes from the monstrosity of a building, Sol said, “If you all don’t stop calling me that, I will run.”
“Don’t get cold feet now.” Sawyer looked up at the sky, sighing.
“We are so close to finally having a decent bath.”
Nina gave Sol an encouraging smile. “We are with you.”
Sol closed her eyes and took a deep breath, a cold breeze caressing her. It cooled her warm skin, her racing blood.
She didn’t try to stop Fey as she resumed her trot toward the gates.
Thirteen
SAFETY IN NUMBERS
NOT A KINDlook awaited them beyond the gates. As the six of them made their way to the stables to turn in their mares, Penny groaning about returning to the castle so soon, only glares followed. Water and sparks of fire passed unnervingly close to Sol, enough so she was placed beside Cas, who Warded them through the gardens and courtyards.
Sol focused on those lovely gardens instead of the obvious contempt with which the dwellers watched them, trying to name the herbs she recognized and catalog the ones she didn't to study later. She fidgeted with her braid and picked at her nails as they strode up the black marble steps.
Beyond the massive iron doors, they were welcomed by another set of steps, towering up to twin hallways that stretched into dimly lit corridors. The floors were a shiny pearl-and-blue pattern, embellished with silver vines that wrapped around scattered pearl pillars. Vases with all sorts of flowers were placed atop exquisite wooden furniture.
The luxury unnerved her slightly.
Sawyer immediately stretched her arms over her head and yawned. “Home sweet home.”
There weren’t many people around them, only some who looked like servants or couriers, their status given away by the different, less pretentious fashion.
Nina looped her arm through Sol’s and led her down the far hall.
Before they got too far, a voice called to her.
“Miss Amana!”
As Nina turned back to see who it was, Sawyer rolled her eyes. “We were so close,” her cousin grumbled.
A panting, short man dressed in an outrageous silver tunic stopped by their side, hands on his knees as he skidded to a stop. Cas and Alix halted next to Sawyer, and Penny gave them a quick bow before exiting back into the front gardens.
The man gave them all a polite nod, his eyes widening slightly as he took Sol in.
No one around her smiled at him, so she didn’t either.
Sawyer tapped a foot on the floor. “On with it, Caleib,” she said, already beginning to unbraid her hair, surely for the bath she had been describing their whole voyage.
Caleib straightened, smothering the front of his silk attire. He gave Sawyer a small smile. “Miss Semmena, lovely as always.”
“Do not call me by that surname.”
“His Majesty insisted on addressing you properly now, since—” his eyes flashed to Sol—“there might be a true Yarrow on premises.”
“Word got here quite fast.” Sawyer looked at Sol. “Great. Let the man torture you now, Princess.” She walked away with no further comment and turned a sharp corner into the depths of the hallway.
Caleib turned his attention back to them. “His Majesty requests the Yarrow Court in the throne room. Along with your… prospect. Immediately.”
This time, Nina blinked at him, and even Cas clicked his tongue.
“Why now?” he asked, folding his arms across his chest.
