I must have stopped, because Vesper nudges me to keep moving. Tearing my eyes from what lies beneath the glass bridge, I follow our escort to the palace. It boasts the largest domes and is the most noticeable structure in the city. It's on an island inside of a larger island and the only way to gain access to the palace is to cross one of six glass bridges to the grounds. Heavily guarded with Hydran soldiers armed with spears and gargantuan shields, it would take an army to make a dent into an invasion.
A few guards break rank and join our group, taking up position on the left and right sides of our group and flanking us from behind. As a military man, I appreciate their organization.
Double doors open and we march inside. I double-take. Once the front doors shut, the inside of the palace resembles the sea – as if we're underwater. Maybe it's due to some magic or how the light is hitting the structure just right, but I feel as if I'm walkingthrough a water cavern. I look up at the ceiling and there are fish swimming above us.
"Wow," I mumble under my breath.
"You fancy this?" Vesper sneers.
"I can show appreciation for beauty, can I not?" I hiss.
She shrugs, her judgmental gaze sliding from the floors to the ceilings and landing back on me. "Malvolio is more impressive."
"Your home of fire and brimstone – "
My teasing falls dreadfully short and by her narrowed eyes, she would strike lessers down for speaking ill of her home. "You will see," is all she says and it sends an unwelcome shiver up my spine.
But I don't have time to digest or decipher what she meant by that because we've arrived to the Talay throne room. The glass dome is held up by twelve alabaster columns and is open to permit a cool island breeze through.
It's hard to miss the queen. Her pearl throne on a dais with the sea as her backdrop. It's impressive, I'll give her that. On her left is her husband, the king consort. A useless man if you ask me. To her right is her oldest daughter and heir, Jocasta. She is the miniature version of her mother in both appearance and poise. Both look as if they've been inconvenienced by our unexpected visit, but their curiosity is far too great to deny.
The escort rattles off the queen's titles and motions for us to bow. When none of us do, the room full of courtiers and soldiers falls dreadfully silent. I've offended the queen, but I'm done bowing and begging. She will see me as her equal or as a threat. Her choice.
After a momentary silence, the queen flips her braids behind her, the breeze causing her dress to flow like water.
"It has been a long time since a Midorian has set foot on our shores, Lord Commander," Astrea Talay coos, her eyes sharp and cunning.
"It's High General now, Your Highness," I correct her, and the tension in the room magnifies ten-fold.
Astrea quirks a curious brow. "A promotion. I had not heard of your father's passing. Our condolences."
My shoulders tense at the mention of my father, but he's gone. He can no longer torment me. I tilt my chin up, squeezing my helmet tucked beneath my arm. "He's not missed."
"You are positively wicked." Astrea laughs, the melodic sound fills the space and spills out through the columns. When her glee trails off, her face hardens. "Tell me, High General, why are you here?"
I take a step toward her throne but halt my approach when two guards clutch their spears tighter in their grasps. "My father cut off our alliances with the other kingdoms, and it is a detriment – "
"I do not care for puffed up pleasantries," she cuts me off, bored already. "Tell me what you want, and I will tell you whether I can provide it or not."
Vesper growls beside me, baring her teeth like fangs. I hold up a fist, silencing her.
"Muzzle your pup or I'll have her put out." Astrea orders, her blue eyes like raging storms threatening to wash us away.
I twist to Vesper, pressing my mouth against her ear and whisper, "Once she no longer serves a purpose, you can have her. Until then, behave."
Vesper flashes a malicious smile the Talay's way, but retreats a step, quietly obeying my voice.
I square my shoulders to Astrea's throne, her arms clutching the armrests so tightly her tattooed fingers turn white at the knuckles. I'm not sure if us being here is making her uncomfortable or filling her with irrefutable rage, but whether I like it or not, I need her help if I'm to get Shaye back.
I puff out a breath, loosening the tightness in my chest. Public speaking was my father's strength. I much prefer being in the background. But the Hydrans won't be privy to that information. "I believe we can help one another," I finally answer her earlier question.
"Is that so?" Astrea chuckles, disbelief ripe in her tone.
"As ridiculous as it might sound – a Midorian and Hydran joining forces after all this time of estrangement – I assure you, you will want to hear what I have to say."
There's a brief silence as she searches my gaze. She must find whatever she's looking for because she motions for me to speak. "I'm listening."
I exhale a constricting breath. Convincing Astrea to grant me an audience was easier than what I'm about to do.
