“What is it, mother?” Raiden asked.
“His Majesty has a message for the King of Hilos.” Lady Aerina blinked at them. “What does he mean?”
Dyna stiffened beside Lucenna; her gaze locked on the scroll.
Then everyone else turned to the gardens where Cassiel stood.
CHAPTER 50
Cassiel
Cassiel’s footsteps echoed in the quiet halls of the estate as he followed the guards. Green banners displaying the Norrlen sigil adorned the smooth stone walls. Sunlight spilled through the iridescent windowpanes, casting rainbow refractions on the polished floor.
Apparently, King Leif knew of his presence here. Perhaps his interference with the Shades was a government issue, as he had no authority here, but Cassiel didn’t really care what the message was. He only cared that he had gotten another chance to speak to Dyna.
But they passed by the grand hall where such meetings would take place. Frowning, Cassiel continued following the silent guards until they brought him to a set of open doors of a library. The walls were full of books and hanging vines. Warm sunlight streamed in from the wide, circular windows above, where more greenery grew. The air was fresh here, carrying the scent of old parchment and the forest.
Gentle wind tousled Cassiel’s hair as he followed the path of light on polished stone floors further inside the maze of shelves to an open area that faced the garden. The glass doors were wide open, letting in the steady stream of cool air. In the center of the library grew a tree, receiving its light from the glass ceiling above. Set before it was a leather chair where Rawn’s wife waited with the old elf standing beside her. A Magi Master by view of his robes and staff. Lady Aerina’s gown reminded him of soft moss. She wore her pale blond hair down, a delicate silver chain dangling on her forehead with a small gem.
The others had seated on the couches on either side of her, leaving him to stand in the center as if he were on trial. Cassiel flexed his stiff wings, feeling uneasy.
Dyna didn’t look at him. Her tired green eyes fixed on the floor, purple shadows gathering under them. The male elf sitting beside her was watching him watch her. The son, Cassiel assumed, by how much he took after Rawn. He forced himself not to react to the sight of Klyde, Von and Keena among them. When had they joined?
It seemed much had happened while he was gone. It made him feel out of place, like he didn’t belong. Not anymore.
Lady Aerina gave him a soft smile. “Welcome, Cassiel Soaraway of Hilos. My husband spoke highly of you in his letters.” Her brow pinched with concern, and she wrung her hands. “I am very sorry your stay here was not suitable. If I had known, I would never have allowed it.”
Cassiel shook his head. “No, Lady Aerina. It is I who should apologize for imposing during your time of need. Please forgive me for bringing my troubles to your door. I will pay whatever the cost to repair the damage I inflicted on your land.”
“Please don’t concern yourself with that. My gardeners will repair the landscape to its former beauty in no time. Lady Dyna has already explained the matters concerning the Realms. I can sympathize.” Her gaze dropped for a moment, a distant sadness touching her features. But it was gone with her next question. “I’m given to understand that you did not intend to stay long?”
Cassiel cleared his throat. “Well, with your permission, I would like to stay if I could. Lord Norrlen was—is—a great man, and he became a good friend of ours in the short time we knew him. I will do all in my power to aid you in his release.”
Her blue eyes filled with tears. She blinked them away, and a shaky smile touched her lips. “Your words do me a kindness, King Cassiel. I would be delighted if you would join our convoy across Greenwood to the capitol.”
Zev and Lucenna didn’t agree by the expression that crossed their faces as they sat in stony silence. The others looked uncomfortable. Dyna had yet to look at him. He was unwelcome; Cassiel could feel it in the air. No one wanted him to come along.
“My brother has requested for you to join us, as well,” Aerina continued, bringing out a scroll. At Cassiel’s confused frown, she said, “King Leif is my elder brother. He heard of your stayhere somehow.”
Before he could process that, the Magi Master interrupted. “That was my doing, Your Grace. I felt the need to share with His Majesty the occurrence with the Shades and the Celestial King’s involvement.”
“Why did you not bring this concern to me first, Eldred?” her son asked a tad tersely. “I do not need my uncle to interfere in what I can see to myself.”
Eldred bowed his head. “Pardon me, my lord. It was a matter of your safety and that of Her Grace.”
“His heart was in the right place, Raiden,” Aerina said in a pacifying tone. She looked back at Cassiel apologetically. “As I was saying, the King of Greenwood would be pleased to meet you. He wishes to congratulate you on your ascension to the throne.”
Scoffing under his breath, Raiden stood. “Mother, at least tell him the real reason Leif requests his presence. It’s hispowerhe wishes to make use of, since he has so little confidence in mine.” He went out through the opening in the garden, disappearing past the bushes.
A blush colored Aerina’s cheeks, and she sighed, watching her son go. She looked at Cassiel again and offered him the scroll that had arrived. “Forgive me. I did not wish to offend you.”
Frowning, he unrolled the parchment. Elegant letters in black ink displayed a short letter addressed to him.
To Cassiel Soaraway, the High King of Hilos,
I hear you have unexpectedly found yourself in the quaint corner of Sellav. It would please me greatly to greet you in Avandia and properly welcome you to my kingdom. I have sent an escort to the Norrlen Estate for my sister. The capitol road can be quite perilous, foremost for a princess. I do hope you will honor me by joining Aerina and see her here safely.
I look forward to meeting the new ruler of Hilos. We have much to discuss, including the reaffirmation of the Accords.
