Brecken’s green eyes scanned the space around Slate’s body for several silent moments before he responded. “You’re her Guardian.” For the first time since our arrival, the ancient man appeared surprised. “This is the first lifetime that you’ve agreed. In the past, you’ve refused on various accounts.” Brecken’s dark lashes brushed against his high cheekbones before he took in a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, the green within them sparkled just a tad more, the faintest of smiles accompanying them. “We may have hope for Arcadia yet.”
Slate and I were exhausted,and Brecken seemed to know it without either of us having to say anything. I assumed it wasdue to the range of his abilities that he could somehow sense our energy. Either way, I was too wiped to really care or question him as he led us up a limestone stairwell to the guest quarters where we’d be sleeping.
I was almost too sleepy to acknowledge the space around us as we began our climb. Hanging moss blanketed the stone walls, while thick wooden limbs served as rafters above. The narrow spiral staircase led upward until my legs wobbled from the lactic acid. Fucking hell, these stairs were steep. And dangerous. The stone steps were uneven, curving higher and higher into what felt like the clouds. My body had officially tapped out.
“Please tell me you don’t have princesses or anything walking up these deathtraps called stairs in high heels and a dress,” I grumbled to Brecken before me.
“Of course not. Our women don’t wear dresses, and our men protect them, even from treacherous steps, which are by design, by the way. They serve to slow any invaders if they were to ever get past the wards,” he said without looking over his shoulder or slowing his pace.
“Well, that’s nice, yet kind of insulting in a way. So you think women are clumsy and can’t handle a flight of steps with grace?” I asked, somewhat offended by the conflicting scenario.
Brecken grunted. “Trust me, our women are anything but clumsy. They’re warriors like the rest of us. But regardless, we value and cherish them. Without our women, we’d be nothing.”
I tripped up a step at his statement, my heart twisting at the sad but beautiful reality that there were societies out there in the world that didn’t see women as less than or weak. How did one begin to instill such a value into a group of people without causing resistance?
An arm wrapped tightly around my waist, followed by a strong torso pressing firmly against my back. “I got you,” Slate whispered into the top of my head. My heart hammered, and once again, guilt writhed wildly in my chest.
I steadied myself, carefully placing my shaky hand against thestone wall, trying to avoid touching him. “Thank you,” I replied before carrying on up the stairs.
How many more steps could there possibly be to reach the guest quarters? And a better question, how the fuck was I going to make it back down these bastards tomorrow without plunging to my death? Heels or no heels.
The answer to the question came a minute later when Brecken stepped off the stairwell onto a landing. It was carpeted with bright, vibrant reds and contrasting blacks, and like the stairs, the walls were covered in shrubbery. Small orange orbs floated above the hallway, illuminating the walkway and the doors. Upon closer inspection, I realized they were small flames, like those of fire Elementals. These seemed to glow a bit brighter, and I couldn’t put a finger on how or why they were so different, both in their energy and output. “Follow me,” Brecken said.
I trudged after Brecken, Slate trailing close behind me. A few doors down, he stopped before an arched doorway. Beautifully detailed designs were carved into the stone frame. What appeared to be symbols of some sort lined the wooden door in the stone, and I wanted to ask what they meant, but tiredness won out. The only things I craved were a bed and sleep.
“This is your room, Your Majesty. Forgive me for our ill preparation; we weren’t expecting you today. Until we can arrange for the royal quarters to be properly cleaned and prepared, this will have to be where you sleep.” Brecken stepped forward and, with a wave of his front two fingers, wove intricate patterns through the air. A pale, blue light cast from his palm, leaving thin lines behind that showed his design. With a click, the door unlocked and then opened on its own.
I glanced at Slate, who appeared unsurprised, casting me a knowing smirk. “Uhm,” I started, confused by a multitude of things that just transpired. “I appreciate your respect, but I’m not a queen here. At least, notyourqueen, so there is no need to go out of your way for me.”
Brecken tilted his head to the side. “You’re thetrueCelestial Queen. The Celestial throne is yours not only by birthright, but on a spiritual level. Chrome is meant to share it with you, but you are the true leader. You may not be a Druid Queen, but our people have always been allied, despite our differences. Honor and respect are our highest values. Without that, we stand for nothing.”
Coming from the Kinetic Royal Domain, with Forest as my father and king, it was hard for me to comprehend a community of people—with seemingly a royal hierarchy—that could hold such values. It was very much like my reaction to the Elementals' peaceful and kind natures upon my initial arrival.
A thought occurred to me, something that had cropped up in my mind from time to time ever since I first witnessed the Endarkened prisoners in the King’s Palace bowing before me. “Would that explain why the Endarkened bow to me?”
Brecken dipped his head. “I don’t know much of the Endarkened that exist in Terraguard, but I know that all of you originated from Arcadia, from the Celestial realm. And on a soul-level, they recognize you as their true monarch.”
I glanced at Slate, who offered a lopsided grin to confirm Brecken’s explanation.
I nodded, holding my hand out to Brecken to shake. “It’s an honor to be welcomed into your home. Thank you for offering Slate and me a safe place to stay until we can figure out where to go from here.”
“The honor is mine, Your Majesty.” Brecken dipped his head in a respectful bow. “How rude of me, Queen Gray. I have yet to introduce myself properly.” He bent at the waist, one arm draped across his lower abdomen and one behind his back. “I’m the Druid High Mage, Brecken Wyre.”
I inclined my chin in return to accept his introduction just before I dropped into a formal curtsy. “High Mage, I’d like to formally introduce myself as the Kinetic and Elemental Queen, Gray Monroe. It’s a privilege to meet you.”
“Please,” the High Mage started, gesturing to the open room, “make yourself at home and get some rest. I look forward to informing you of some necessary information in the morning.” With another bow, he said, “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” Slate and I both said in unison. It wasn’t until Brecken walked away that I realized he had only shown us one room, but by then it was too late.
I looked at Slate, my eyes wide and mouth open in protest. “But?—”
Slate laid his hands on top of my shoulders in a reassuring gesture. “It’s fine. I’ll sleep outside your door.” He peeked around me to peer into my room. “Perhaps I could use a blanket and pillow, by chance?”
My face scrunched up in disgust. “Outside? What? No?—”
With a smile, he said, “Honestly, it’s okay. I’d never want to make you uncomfortable.” Slowly, he withdrew his hands from my shoulders. “I’ll sleep on the floor. I’m sure it’ll be better than the forest we’ve been sleeping in, right?” His laugh came out awkward, as if he didn’t quite believe his words, but wanted to.
“I cannot let you sleep outside on the floor, Slate. Are you crazy?” I whispered, keeping my voice low so as not to create a stir in the castle.
