“I’m… getting a new one.”Liar.
“And you packed your whips, right? Because I think I saw them…”
Seiji leaps out of the car, screaming that he’ll be right back. August giggles when Seiji almost trips over his legs, racing back inside the hotel. Grace smiles warmly at my little boy and pats his head from the seat behind him. Next to her, Harvey sleeps soundly, cuddled into her side.
Suck on that, Seiji!
He owes me so many brownies.
21. Turns out we are super rich
Nevaeh
As soon as I step through the portal, I can’t look away from the striking pale pink sky, scattered with twinkling stars and multiple planetary bodies.
On Earth, only the sun and moon were visible, but here, I can count several planets that look like burning moons or icy suns, splashing the sky with different colors.
I look at the enormous gate ahead in wonder. If I didn’t know how strong supernatural beings were, I’d be worried for the poor souls responsible for operating this monstrosity on a daily basis.
“Why is this so big?” I ask.
“That’s what she said!” Seiji smirks. Angel swats the back of his head exactly three seconds later.
My mate looks like he’s regretting the decision to spend his entire day with us, not to mention the rest of his life.
“I had to renovate the gates to fit the portal and make it easier for bigger vehicles to pass through. We don’t need cars within the kingdom, but they’re useful when traveling between different realms.” Angel explains, signaling to someone inside the watchtower beside the gates.
“And because I bought a plane.” Seiji smirks.
Why would he buy a plane? We have winged horses to fly us wherever we want.
Angel catches my confusion and sighs in defeat. “Believe me, I tried to talk him out of it. But he pulled the puppy eyes, and I was tired. The next day, a plane was delivered.”
The way my Monkey’s eyes light up, I know he’s saving that trick for later.
The gates roar open, snapping my attention back to them, and my jaw drops on par with the gates.
The entire realm is a massive island floating in the sky, water cascading off its edges. But that’s not what steals my breath. It’s the four magnificent castles strategically built on each corner of the island.
Sturdy bridges connect the third levels of all four castles in a loop around the island. The architecture is fascinating. A flawless blend of modern and traditional elegance.
“An enchanted dome surrounds the entire kingdom. It can withstand even the strongest spells,” Grace says as she walks past me with August in her arms, who’s pointing at things and beaming with excitement.
“Think you can guess which castle belongs to which Horseman, sweetheart?” Angel grabs my hand and leads me into theemptykingdom.
Angel thought Harvey and I should tour the kingdom for the first time without an overwhelming crowd. The residents were asked to make themselves scarce for a few hours, but that didn’t stop them from welcoming us in whatever way they could.
The sidewalks, houses, and even the floating street lamps are decorated with rare flowers, fireflies buzzing above them.
It’s a relief to see they’re happy with our return.
Honestly, it’s not hard to tell which castle belongs to whom since each one perfectly reflects the taste and power of its Horseman.
To my far right stands one that gleams and demands my attention without even trying. I gasp as I step closer, taking in the precious jewels embedded in gold bricks that sparkle under the bright sky. Intricate carvings trail from the base of the stairs to the towering top. I have to crane my neck until it touches my shoulder to see the peak.
This building screams power and wealth. Every window, door, and arch is made of gold. I don’t have to guess. The castle all but announces itself.
“Conquer.”
