Flares of the sunset carved through the lush canopies of dark leaves and twisted limbs. Sun Wings and their flickering bodies winked in the shadows. Chirps of rousing night creatures were a lullaby I missed. Air was cool in the wood below the palace, damp and fragrant enough to taste.
Halfway over a stone bridge, I paused, leaning over the rail to peer down at the swampy ponds below.
Instead of tugging me onward, Jonas came to the rail and leaned over with me. Steps shuffled as the procession came to a halt.
I ignored them all.
“There are such unique trees here,” Jonas said. “I never took the time to appreciate them after the vows.”
Roots grew in serpentine tangles in the center of black ponds. Over the surface was a thin layer of vibrant moss and tiny clovers, so green they seemed to glow in the dim light.
“I would sit by the ponds after lessons as a girl and read my fae tales. I always had a fascination with fae realms and wondered if they truly existed. Sometimes I thought they might live at the bottom of the ponds since I couldn’t see below the surface.” I smiled up at him. “Strange that now I live among the fae.”
“Better than fae,” he said, pressing a kiss to the top of my shoulder. “You live among the alvers. We don’t have the strange ears like you pointy lot.”
I gasped, feigning offense. “Pardon me, Husband, but I have a very respectable size of ear. Perhaps it is alvers and your stubby, rounded ears that are strange.”
“Stubby?” Jonas patted at his mortal-like ears. “You think they’re stubby?”
I touched the curve of one, arching into him. “I do, but they are my favorite all the same.”
He began to lean forward, like he might kiss me, like he’d forgotten we had dozens of eyes watching us.
My grandfather cleared his throat. “We should carry on.”
Jonas took my hand again and we followed through the rest of the wood.
Pathways faded into the thick stone steps leading up to the front entrance of the palace. Jonas’s refusal to leave my side had the king walking a step ahead of us, while we were followed by the endless stream of servants and courtiers.
Palace doors were already open when we arrived, allowing for gusts of the twilight air. Marble floors and gold trim made up every corridor and room. Grand tapestries of starlight and dark cliffs covered the wood on the walls, and from the rafters were blown glass chandeliers.
In the great hall, a long table was arranged in the center. Every leg on the table bent and coiled like the roots on the trees outside, and pieces of blue satin draped over the edges. Servants arranged silver plates and forks, crystal flutes and polished horns, in front of each black velvet chair.
“Why the hells would we need so many forks?” Jonas said under his breath, and I wasn’t certain he meant to admit it out loud.
A bubble of a laugh wanted to break out. How different feasts here would be compared to the boisterous ordeals of nightly meals at the Black Palace.
“Your rooms have been readied.” My grandfather spun into us. “Go and dress. You’ll forgive me, but I was preparing dull missives and should see to finishing them. We will meet again soon in the hall.”
Dorsan followed behind us, stern as always, but his shoulders were not as tense now that we were back in Natthaven. I thought the king might’ve placed us in my childhood rooms, but the servants guided us to a second level corridor.
There, waiting, was Cara.
“Prince. Princess.” Cara dipped her chin in a greeting. “Gods, child,what is this gown you’ve selected? And where is your circlet? Your hair is terribly windblown.”
Jonas raked his fingers through the tangles of my hair, messing it even more. “Perfect. My feral wife.”
Heat bloomed under the neckline of my dress. I needed to get the man alone.
I smoothed the woolen skirt of the simple gown. “It is more comfortable to sail in this than a gaudy dress, Cara. And alver folk rarely wear their crowns.” I gestured toward Jonas’s empty brow to prove my point.
“True,” he added. “They're horribly uncomfortable, and don’t you think it’s a little pretentious to wear proof of rank at all times? Does anyone truly forget who takes up space in a palace? Gods, we’re flaunted about enough.”
My mouth twitched in a battle to keep a strangled laugh at bay.
Cara looked at Jonas like he’d slipped into madness. She sniffed and shook any confusion away. “Different customs for different folk, of course. My Lady, I will assist you in dressing. Prince Jonas, your chamber is there.” She pointed to a door across the corridor. “I’m sure you’ll find it to your standards.”
“I’m sure I will,” Jonas said. “But I certainly will be sleeping with my wife. In fact, I’ll help with her gown. Dressing her is my favorite thing to do.”
