We climbed that damn hill in silence, and no one would ever convince me that it hadn’t taken an eternity to reach.
The small recess was already too small for either of us to sit up in it, but with Kaelun’s bulk, it was a tight squeeze. I adjusted my bag, using it as a pillow, the cool rock wall at my back welcomed. Facing me, Kaelun curled into himself, ensuring his limbs weren’t visible from below.
It wasn’t ideal having his back exposed, but the foliage was thick enough that I could barely tell the sun had breached the horizon. Besides, ideal or not, our bodies succumbed to exhaustion within seconds of settling, and we had no choice but to hope the gods were on our side as we finally rested.
“Lady Nyleeria,” a soft voice coaxed, “it’s time to get up.”
“Kai,” I grumbled under my breath, “how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?” Shifting, I tucked my face further into my pillow. Gods above, why couldn’t she just let me sleep for once?
A low chuckle rumbled, the sound reverberating through my chest. “It’s not funny,” I groused, nestling in deeper.
“I probably shouldn’t say this, but you’re kinda adorable when you’re pouty,” a male voice said—Kaelun’s voice.
My heart sank as the veil of sleep was flung away, replaced by the heavy blanket of reality. Blinking my eyes open, I found Kaelun’s gaze on mine, his earnest deep mahogany eyes alight with amusement.
Soft light flitted in through the curtaining vines, accentuating the golden threads of his dirty blond hair. It was true that his features still clung onto a bit of that awkwardness we all have when we’re younger, but Kaelun was handsome, and it was clear he’d boast the same striking features as his brother. I wondered if it weren’t for their vastly different styles if some would mistake them for twins once Kaelun fully matured. Either way, Addy was one lucky gal—and I kinda wanted to meet her.
“What?” Kaelun asked with a small frown.
I sighed loud and long. “I don’t want to go back out there,” I admitted, looking at him through heavy lids.
“Yeah. Me either. But the sooner we get home, the sooner we can get help for Uncle Artton.”
He’d left his brother off that list—his way of clinging on to hope. My chest was heavy with worry for all of us, including the twins.
And Endymion.
“What is it?” Kaelun asked, and I tracked his gaze, realizing I’d been rubbing the ache in my chest.
I drew my hand down. “It’s nothing, just not looking forward to whatever this gods-forsaken court has in store for us today.”
Chapter 48
No More Games
“Hey, Kaelun?” I asked a few hours later, still unable to let the thought go. “When we get out of this, would… would it be okay if I meet Addy?”
“Really!?”
I stopped to face him, finding wide eyes staring back at me.
“Never mind,” I said, “it was a stupid idea.”
“Are you kidding me!? Addy would be thrilled to meet you. Actually, my whole family would!”
A strong blush painted my cheeks. “Are you sure?”
He came up to my side, and we continued walking together. “Oh, yeah,” he said, and for the first time since we’d been here, his jovial nature sprang to life. “They’d love it. Not to mention, your visit would have the city abuzz.”
I halted. “City?”
“Yeah, you know, teeming with daily life, massive building, museums, art galleries, the best restaurants in the realm.”
I shook my head, suddenly overwhelmed. “That exists?”
His brows pulled together. “Several, actually, but Solaran is thecapital of the Summer Court, and by far the largest, with over a million souls living there.”
“A million?!” I coughed, nearly choking on the word. Stars, I’d thought the hundreds living in, or around, Caius’ palace had been a lot. Sure, Leighmullan had sported over fifteen thousand at one point, but by the time I was old enough to remember, we’d dwindled to less than a thousand, which made comprehending a place that housed a million unimaginable.
