Reyla
Blackstone stairs rose ahead of us, wide at the base and wrapping tight as we climbed. Each footstep thudded, swallowed by the chill that clung to the bone. No sound came from below or above us. It was just us and the quiet. My legs burned a little from the climb, but I didn’t complain. We'd had almost no time to train, something I used to do every single day. While still worthwhile, it had been shoved down lower on my list. Saving Lore took the top.
We’d looked for Dorion but couldn’t find him. I doubted he’d given up, but this castle was enormous. We’d wait for him in our suite and fill him in on everything, including his potential son, the moment he appeared.
Lore kept pace beside me, with Farris galloping up before turning to race back down to us as if he'd taken time for training when we had not.
Outside, the clouds rested low across the distant mountain peaks. In the valley far below, a lake shimmered like a mirror dropped into the earth.
When we reached the seventh floor, where we were told we'd find Queen Naveer's suite, Lore stopped, staring out one of the windows. “It’s beautiful.”
I looked out too. “Almost too beautiful to be real.”
Our breath frosted in the air before fading into nothing. He nodded, not smiling, and we started down the only hall, spying guards at the end.
A pair of double doors carved with a single, towering tree stood at the end. Its roots tangled down the wood like veins. Wards. Strong ones, I'd say.
Eight guards stood on either side of the closest door, dressed in dark plum cloaks clasped tight at their necks, over gleaming armor. Their fingers moved, magic curling around them in a taint I wouldn’t shrug off for a long time.
The guard closest to the left side of the door had a deep scar across her cheek. She was older than me, older than Lore, but her eyes tracked us with the same kind of sharpness we used when we assessed anyone.
“We brought the key,” I said as we stopped not far from the entrance.
She bowed. “I'll inform Queen Naveer of your arrival. Remain here.” Turning, she slipped inside.
Farris pressed his body against my leg, looking up at me with solemn eyes.
When the guard returned, ice crept into her voice, and something dangerous flickered in her eyes. “Her Majesty will see you, but not while you're armed.”
That made us both pause. Lore's fingers twitched but he said nothing.
One by one, we surrendered our weapons. My twin daggers first, then the ones hidden beneath my tunic, followedby those strapped to my arms and legs. Her expression didn't change, though her lips twitched when I dropped in the last.
With a nod, she stepped aside. The doors whispered open. No turning back now.
Inside, thick red and gold rugs swallowed our footsteps. The air reeked of copper and dying flowers, the faint smell of blood masked by perfume. Above, a domed ceiling showed painted birds flying through a bleeding sky, while shadows claimed the corners.
Small figurines lined every surface, twisted forms frozen mid-scream, their faces too human, too familiar. Trophies of past competitors who'd “willingly” participated in her games?
Others had been carved into roaring creatures, beasts that would make a person quiver and grab for their blades.
Isn’t this charming,I drawled in Lore’s mind.
Quite.
Are the beasts mythical or will I stumble across one if I enter the surrounding woods?
I’d stay away from the woods.
A shiver tracked through me.
We walked further into the enormous room, the doors closing behind us with a solid click. Farris huffed and remained beside me.
Queen Naveer lounged across a red-cushioned chaise carved from deep black wood. Her white gown accented her lips painted blood red to match the cushions—I assumed. She ate slowly, careful not to smudge her mouth.
Her hair had been arranged in thick coils, each braid set with tiny firegems that caught the light.
The hearth roared to her right, heat reaching across the room to make me swelter in my leathers. Thick dark drapes had been closed over every window, stretching from the floor to the arched ceiling.
