Like a fool, I blush again as the prince reveals a charismatic smile.
“As I informed you, we must go to our people for the Autumnal Beast Fete,” King Draedor announces. “I encourage you all to be our guests and join us for the merriment. You may make use of our guest chambers so you can refresh yourselves before meeting us in the village square. Feel free to make use of the baths,and you are welcome to anything in our wardrobes.”
“Well, that is terrific.” Algar hobbles past me with Zephra cradled in one of his hands. “I’d love to take a scalding-hot bath in a castle this divine, Your Majesty. I’m honored to be your guest.”
“Is that a maobi?” Kelrean ogles Zephra with burning curiosity.
“She is.”
“Beautiful creatures, they are. But rare. A female?”
“Yes.”
“And she allows you to justholdher? I hear they don’t care for mortals and bite hard enough to take off a finger.”
“Well, I’ve had her for two months, and she hasn’t bitten me yet. What can I say? She’s my better half.” Algar holds her up a bit higher in his cupped hand, removing lint from her tail. “I’ve seen her bite others, though, and it is not pretty. She’s a little savage when she wants to be.”
“Kelrean, why don’t you lead our guests to the main halls and inform the helpers that they’ll need assistance?” Queen Jenia offers.
I like that they call their peoplehelpersand not servants. There’s something cozy—no, kind—about that. Commendable. These are good people.
“With pleasure, Mother.” Kelrean places his attention on me again, offering me an elbow. “My lady?”
I smile, looping my arm through his and leaving the room at the prince’s side. When we pass a set of guards, I look over my shoulder to see Rynthea still chatting with the king and queen.
Algar is following us, as well as Thane.
But Thane’s eyes are now burning gold as he glares invisible daggers at the back of the prince’s head.
Chapter 22
Before we’re given access to the chambers, we have to partake in one of Bernwood’s traditions for new guests.
According to this tradition, I’m told to take a gold coin, then they prick my forefinger, and I smear a drop of my blood on the coin. After that, we’re given individual crystal bowls with shards of alvanite stone inside them, and I place my coin in my bowl.
If the gray stones stay their natural color, it means you have good intentions for the kingdom. If it turns black, however, it means your intentions are malevolent and could lead to being detained or, worse,executed.
Everyone passes the test…but then it’s Thane’s turn. He’s the last to go, and to say I’m nervous for his outcome is an understatement. I watch with bated breath as he drops his bloodied coin into the bowl. The stones go unchanged, and I blow a sigh of relief.
After that, Kelrean takes pride in showing us the interior of the castle, pointing to certain doors and letting us know what lies at the end of the ornate hallways.
“If you follow that corridor,” he says, pointing to a stretch on our right, “it will lead you to a steam room.” He winks down at me.
I bite my lip, fighting yet another blush.
When we finally reach our designated floor, the women are split from the men. I walk with Rynthea and Kelrean to one of the four doors at the end of our wing.
“When you’re done, return to the main hall on the first floor and take the right corridor all the way down,” Kelrean instructs as he watches me push the door handle down. “The side entrance will be there, and a chariot should be around to take you to the village square.”
“Thanks, Kelrean.”
“Of course, Zaira.” He strolls away. It’s hard to ignore how great his ass looks in those fitted pants.
“Don’t do it.”
I turn to the sound of Rynthea’s voice. “Do what?”
She stands in front of the door across from mine, the handle of her scythesword relaxed in her palm. Sheera had taken her weapon, too, but, unbeknownst to his father (or Sheera), Kelrean found it and gave it back to her. He trusts Rynthea a lot, I realize.
