The canyon stretched in front of her, but the mountains that rose high above them were visible.
“The Obsidian Palace is located…there…on that mountain right ahead of us.” Laurent pointed out to her. Lenna squinted, barely making out the black turrets built into the side of the mountain piercing the drifting clouds above.
Merrick wordlessly handed his pack to Laurent, before unfurling his wings and shooting into the blue sky. Lenna watched him fly ahead until he was no more than a speck between fluffy white clouds. Laurent followed her gaze, his face grim. “It’s difficult for him to be back here. His father took him to the Obsidian Palace to learn how to be a warriorwhen he was eighteen. It was not the life Merrick would’ve chosen for himself.”
In the sun, it was much easier to see the winding path ahead, and Lenna began slowly picking her way through the canyon. “Did he not have a good relationship with his father?”
Laurent shook his head, the silver studs in his pointed ears glimmering. “Merrick was raised by his mother in Spinella, hidden from his father once she became pregnant. But his father found out about him when Merrick turned eighteen, and took him from Spinella to train. He told Merrick’s mother that no son of his would grow up to be weak.”
“He sounds like a total dick,” Lenna muttered.
“Oh, he was,” Laurent huffed a dry laugh. “He was one of the commanders for the Queen’s Guard in the Obsidian Palace. He didn’t go easy on Merrick, as if it was Merrick’s fault he was even born.”
“Poor Merrick,” Lenna breathed, more to herself than to Laurent. She was quiet for a moment before cocking her head to the fae beside her, “Does he ever see his mother?”
Laurent stopped walking and abruptly turned towards Lenna. “Merrick’s mother was killed a few months after Merrick was taken by his father. If I were you, I wouldn’t bring it up to him. There’s still a lot of pain there.”
Lenna looked down at her feet, and then back to the fae. “I understand,” she said softly. Her heart hurt for the fierce and protective gargoyle that had been her companion for the last few days. “What about you? Did you train here?”
Laurent seemed appreciative of the conversation shift. “I did–for a short time. Once the commanders found out about my…usefulness…they moved me from here to complete my training at the Opal Palace.”
“Your magic.” Lenna nodded in agreement. She had seen small glimpses of his power over the last couple days and could confirm he had some sort of control over fire as well as the whole portal making thing.
“Yes.” Laurent surveyed the path ahead, his dark skin beading sweat under the sun. Lenna thought he was one of the most handsome males she’d ever seen. “My individual skill set pushed me from training as a grunt to becoming part of the King’s private circle of elite warriors. I met Keerian and Merrick in the Obsidian Palace–but did not see them again until they both finished their training and qualified to become part of the King’s Guard as well.”
Lenna mulled over the conversation as they picked their way through another hundred yards of rocks. Laurent kept circumventing any explanation of what exactly his magic could do. Lenna didn’t know if he was just being humble, or because he didn’t want to divulge the amount of power he so obviously held.
Chapter nineteen
Lenna
Thehourspassedslowlyas Lenna cut her eyes anxiously to the clouds for what felt like the hundreth time. Though the only creatures she saw were carrion birds and hawks, every time a flutter of wings caught her gaze or a crow called out with a screech, she got panicked and jumpy all over again.
The rocky terrain of the Pyritee Pass proved laborious for Lenna, making it hard to focus on anything else outside of tentatively putting one foot in front of the other. Her legs were significantly shorter than Laurent’s, though he slowed his stride to keep pace with her own. Her body was too soft and the small amount of muscle mass she had did little. The leg and core muscles she hadn’t used in years roared in protest as she hiked on. Heat sizzled against the rocks, throwing mirages of shimmering waves against the ground that disappeared as she neared. Lenna’s pale skin was no match for the harsh sun’s rays bouncing off the shiny black stone walls. She felt the burn through her clothing and prayed her skin wouldn’t blister.
Laurent had no difficulty with the walk, even though he, too, poured sweat. Lenna felt the dripping perspiration coat her, rubbing her thighs raw as the slick skin chafed against the coarse material of her pants. Sheripped off her head scarf as the sun reached its apex, opting instead to wrap her red curls in a tight bun on the top of her head. Laurent had not removed his flowing robe, even with the fabric growing damp and cumbersome.
The curve of the path provided a closer glimpse of the mountain range ahead, the peaks white-tipped with snow. Laurent told her once they rounded the bend she’d get her first full look at the Obsidian Palace.
He wasn’t kidding. The last curve of Pyritee Pass brought the Palace into view for her human eyes. Ahead, the canyon opened to reveal the rest of the mountain range. Built into the front face of the tallest mountain, the Obsidian Palace loomed, seemingly growing out of the mountain itself.
Spiraling black towers touched the clouds, piercing and ripping them apart with quiet violence as they blew gently through the sky. Lenna tried counting the number of turrets, but lost count after she hit twenty. The overall design was haunting and spindly, as if the architects tore the mountain apart to reveal the skeleton beneath.
Below the dark towers, stark against the contrast of the snow above, levels of the Palace shone with an eerie gleam. The Palace secreted ancientness and didn’t project a welcoming aura to those that ventured towards it. It washuge, Lenna thought to herself–completely blown away from the sheer size of the Obsidian Palace. As they got closer, she could make out the path towards the front gates. Twisting iron was built into a stone border, rising into arches tipped with sharp, talon like, spikes. Another notice for those who came forth to really make sure they knew what they were getting themselves into.
There were two long bridges leading to the front of the Palace gates, one right in front of them, one jutting off to the east, disappearing between two smaller mountains. Both bridgeswere mixtures of iron and stone, and the one they aimed for was as wide as the canyon they were so close to putting behind them. The peaks of iron on each side of the bridge rose and fell in waves, each apex tipped with the same dangerous looking spikes.
As Lenna and Laurent picked their way through the last quarter mile, the walls of the canyon sloped down before plateauing to the beginning of the bridge. Lenna looked behind her at Pyritee Pass and thought about their walk. The questions she hoped she’d find answers to were still completely out of reach. She knew one thing though, for certain. She never wanted to walk through the Pyritee Pass again.
Laurent stopped before the first steps of the bridge, holding up a finger to Lenna and fiddling with his mind speak ring before breaking the quiet. “Merrick requested a meeting with the Regent, Lord Magnamus, who refused to see us until this evening. But, if it’s any consolation, the Regent allowed us to stay here for the night which gives us time to clean up.” Laurent’s nose crinkled a bit. She blushed.
Yeah, Lenna could smell herself. The sweat hadn’t dried, and dark stains of perspiration coated the cotton shirt she had on.
“That will be a welcome relief.” She smiled encouragingly to the fae who looked extremely uncomfortable in his slick-with-sweat robes. “I know I stink.”
That coaxed a soft chuckle from Laurent, his green eyes looking down on her with care. “Just so you know, we will be with you every step of the way tonight. You won’t have to worry. Remember, the Regent is loyal to Queen Adara.”
Lenna’s tight shoulders relaxed a fraction. It was a relief to hear. The uncertainty of the night swirled over her–but knowing these two males, who already protected her once, stood by her side did calm her.
