But Jonas smiled, pleased, and for a fleeting moment I did not feel so out of place.
Mutely, Jonas led us forward. Crowds moved to various areas of the outer yards and entrances. There was no true formal reception, but beneath the smoke in the air was a savory scent of spices and herbs.
The front entrance of the Black Palace was enormous. A domed ceiling so high, voices and steps echoed through the corridors like haunts in the night. Panels on the walls were made of cold stone and the same dark wood from the outer walls.
Shelves and tables aligned the corridors, most topped with colorful glass, blades, or oblong wooden figurines of wolves or birds that seemed a little childish.
Folk rushed to and fro. On first glance, the inner halls seemed chaotic, but the more I stepped into the palace, the more it was clear each member of the royal staff knew exactly where they were to be. No one accidentally collided with anyone else.
Some servants, without even looking up, rolled over their shoulder to the other side of a hall, avoiding clashing with another.
A sort of wild dance.
“Should you need anything and I am not there, palace staff wear blue leather bands on one wrist,” Jonas explained.
“Not a certain attire?”
“You’ll come to realize the king and queen have a great distaste for stripping folk of their choices. Even with what they wear. They compromised for bands on the wrist.”
I had a thought to argue it was readily accepted that a royal household would be dressed in a unified style, but the prince would understand such things were common. He had seen Natthaven’s palace, the blue and silver tunics of our guards and servants. Even the guards who accompanied the other fae realms were marked in different styles and emblems.
“No set attire and you do not call them servants?”
“Maj prefers staff. They work for pay, for increases, and only dotasks like tending the grounds, preparing meals, or upkeeping the palace.”
“Who turns your beds or draws a bath?”
Jonas lifted his hands. “These are rather skilled in more than one way, but I find the simplest task I’ve encountered has been turning down my own bed.”
I almost laughed. “So no courtiers? No ladies in waiting?”
Jonas hesitated near a wide staircase. “I know you are accustomed to such things. If you require ladies, I’m certain we can find some. They won’t know what to do, but they’ll try. Or perhaps Eldirard could send your lady to you and?—”
“No.” Before I realized, my hand fell to his arm. “Gods, the idea of Cara here is frightening. She will be in a constant state of gasping and pleading to the gods to deliver us from such an uncivilized land.”
“My Lady,” Dorsan warned.
I covered my mouth with one hand. “I . . . that’s not what . . . I didn’t mean to insinuate your folk are uncivilized.”
“Pity.” Jonas flashed his white smile. “We’ve worked hard to be the feral kingdom. My father will be wholly disappointed you see him as kingly in the slightest.”
Instead of shirking away my arm, Jonas folded my hand between his elbow, and began up the staircase.
“I like it.” My voice was low, soft, meant for the prince alone.
“Like what?”
“Your feral kingdom.”
The same heat from the coach flashed in his eyes, and instead of fearing it now, I thought I might want it to swallow me whole.
An open corridor on the third level was empty but for a few tables with fiery blooms and willow branches to add color. Overhead, chandeliers with tallow candles cast eerie shadows against the corners.
“This is my wing—our wing,” Jonas said, voice rough. “Dorsan, mygood fellow.” The prince spoke with such forced propriety, I could not swallow the laugh. He gripped my guard’s arm and aimed him toward an arched doorway. “I had this chamber arranged just for you. Has a washroom and study for when you tire of following the princess around.”
A furrow gathered over Dorsan’s porcelain brow. “My Lord, it is my duty.”
“Does duty not get rather tiresome? I assure you, here, you will not be maimed should you wish to leave her with others from time to time. I won’t even tell Eldirard. Go now. Go, see if it is to your liking.”
