“I live here.” Again, he kept his attention trained ahead. Was he hoping that if he acted indifferent I would go away? He would learn that was not to be the case.
“That is not what I asked,” I pressed.
He turned then, brown eyes studying me as if seeing through me. “You know the answer, Bavadrin Superior.” He said it with the slightest tinge of distaste. It felt as though the air got even colderaround us. Why would someone like him feel anything negative towards me or the Bavadrins?
My mouth went dry. “You are of the Dunes Clan?”
“We no longer go by that name,” was his admission.
My heart beat harder in my chest. The Lysians had been right. Our conjurors were taken. Instantly I felt shame for not realizing such a thing sooner. Why did all the Bavadrins always believe that the reason some conjurors disappeared was because of some sort of blessing from the Spirit? We could not have been more foolish or wrong.
I licked my lips, which grew dry from the frosty wind. “Why are you here? With the Sidhe?”
Again, he did not look at me as he answered. “Seems as good a place as any. We are useful here.”
“You left the Dunes on your own free will?” I asked him, not knowing what answer would be easier to swallow. If they were taken against their will, then I would do everything in my power to free them. However, if they left on their own accord, then why?
“All of life is a choice,” he said with a frown, and his horse picked up its pace, slowing only once it was ahead of me. The message was received: the conversation over.
I fell back in line behind the guide, and we continued to follow him in silence.
If the Dunes Clan was under the Sidhes’ control, then were other Bavadrins also with the Sidhe? The Dunes Clan were never technically Bavadrins, but Bavadrins had a symbiotic relationship with them developed centuries ago. They lived in a territory where most Bavadrins did not wish to reside, so they were allowed their own freedoms and customs. When the great war occurred, they fought alongside the Bavadrins, both benefiting from the support of the other. I never knew of anything happening that would have pushed the Dunes Clan to leave their Bavadrin shelter for the Sidhe.
The pines of the forest cleared, and there was an enormous castle in view, etched into the mountain itself. There were too many peaks to count on the face of the fortress as it reached high into the sky, as if competing with the mountain itself to touch the clouds. The setting sun glistened off the many windows, none of which appeared to be plain glass. Instead, the windows shone with shards of color. It was the most remarkable thing I had ever seen.
Soren came to a stop, dismounting and expressing no interest in the breathtaking view. “I will take your horses so they may eat and rest. They will be returned when you are all ready to leave.” He waited patiently for us to follow his lead.
I hopped off Rain with a frown, patting the side of her neck. Through my mind, I told her to be careful, to not eat or drink anything they gave her. By the shake of her head, it seemed as though she understood. It made me feel a sliver better to pretend that was the case.
“Welcome,” a calm voice intoned, smooth as silk and unyielding.
We spun around to see a Sidhe emerging from the castle’s entrance. His hair was so pale it seemed almost bone-white, framing a face that was strikingly handsome—sharp angles softened by a strong jaw and full lips. His ears tapered to elegant points, and his deep gray eyes, darker than any storm, held a weight that was almost oppressive.
As he approached, his movements were so fluid it seemed as though he were gliding rather than walking.His gaze drifted over the three of us before focusing on me. The air around him grew unnaturally still, heavy with the deep, ancient power that radiated from him.
“It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Ariana,” he said, his voice measured and precise, as if every syllable carried significance. He held out his hand expectantly.
I didn’t need an introduction. I knew who he was. I could feel it in my bones, a truth whispered by the air itself. Still, I had to temper my surprise. The Sidhe King standing before me looked barely older than I was. Yet if the stories held truth, then he had walked this earth for centuries.
Beside me, Edda went ridged.
“Clause,” I said his name in greeting. I was not planning on reciprocating the pleasantries, for it wasnota pleasure to be standing before him, not when I did not know why he wished to have a meeting.
I slid my hand into his, and the corners of his mouth turned down, for my hands were covered with gloves. In fact, my entire body was covered, except for my head.
The guide collected all our horses and took them to their stables.
“Come, let’s get you out of this cold.” Gently, Clause led me towards the entrance, gray eyes observing me the entire time. The authority coming from him was unnaturally intense. Even the air around him did not stir, and I now moved through that stagnant zone. It was as if nothing could touch him, not even a breeze if he did not wish it to. His presence was one of absolute control. And the way his gaze was leveled at me, stalking me as I moved, it felt like a heavy shackle. Everything became more complex, even breathing.
I had to suppress the shiver running down my spine.
Clause stepped aside and motioned us to enter the castle. My jaw nearly dropped when we walked past the open, thick wooden doors into a hall that led into a magnificent room. I had never been in another room like it. It was extraordinarily massive and surprisingly warm. Large stained-glass windows blended effortlessly with the colorful walls. The soft glow of hundreds of candles framed the room within their golden wall nooks. Infinitely large, vaulted ceilings enclosed the chamber, and it was not a simpleceiling. Thousands of variously colored glasses covered the top in an extraordinary mosaic of a serpent in the center, surrounded by gold and blue shards. There were two stags at the far side looking incredibly regal, and to the other side a lone white wolf. There was more detail, yearning to be admired, but I tore my eyes away from the exquisiteness of the ceiling when Edda coughed under her breath.
“See something you like?” Clause asked, watching me with clear curiosity.
“It’s beautiful. I have seen nothing like this place before,” I answered in truth, and his head tilted to the side as if he couldn’t quite understand something.
“Please, take a seat.” He gestured to the table, which I had not even noticed within the great room. His gaze followed me as I walked through the space.
