I snicker as Angel pouts and turns to Grace, begging for his baby back. August is as content as ever, enjoying the perks of being so adorable. He spends most of his days being carried like the spoiled prince he is.
Seiji stops when we can see his castle in the distance, rambling about his creativity and hard work… claims Angel instantly discredits with a hushed “nothing but a bunch of big fat lies.”
“You see that beautiful lotus-shaped roof?My idea. I wanted something one of a kind… something that would fit my style, you know?”
“You knew your style when you were eleven?”
“Again, Anxo? Stop stealing my limelight, brother.”
Angel leans in and whispers, “You know he’s lying, right?”
“Look,” I say, grabbing his shoulders and turning him toward the scene. Our sneaky Prince of Famine has fully roped Harvey in his lies. Harvey is so caught up in proving Seiji wrong that he has completely forgotten his earlier panic.
Angel shakes his head with a smile when Seiji throws him a sly wink.
Turning back to the castle, I admire its pointed archways, and the tilted roof enhances the design’s visibility. I love theuse of green and blue-tinted glass, which adds a whimsical, fairytale charm.
I had doubts about the glass walls from a safety perspective until Hazel whistled her sharpest tune, and the structure held strong. Not a single pane cracked.
Next, we pass a construction company run by centaurs that looks suspiciously like an evil lair. I’m guessing the miniature black castle was an intentional choice. Anyone would think twice before crossing them or their business.
The patterns on the dark bricks match those from the Conquer castle, so I’m guessing they played a big role in making this realm the dreamland it is today.
Hazel clears her throat loudly. When I ignore it, she keeps clearing her throat until it gets my attention. “Fun fact: the dungeons are built below surface level, so if a prisoner escapes, they’ll keep falling until they hit the dome’s edge and get scorched to ashes.”
I eye her carefully to see if she really thinks the idea of a prisoner burning to a crisp is fun to her or if she’s messing with me. Her deadpan expression tells me she’s completely serious.
“That’s not what you call a fun fact, Hazel,” Grace gently corrects her.
“Oh? Then I guess it’s just a fact.”
I love this woman and the way her brain works.
The other day, I told Hazel that Angel is always warm and snuggly like my personal heater, and she said maybe it’s me who’s always cold and creepy like a psychotic killer.
“Nevaeh, remember what Dad always says about death?” Grace suddenly asks.
“There’s no hiding from it?” She nods with an eager smile and points behind me.
I follow her finger, and my steps falter, slowly coming to a halt. I expected the castle of Death to be jaw-dropping like others… but notthis.
It’s a tall, rectangular tower that touches the clouds. At first, the clear glass center appears to be filled with glowingwater, but then I realize it’s not water… It’s thousands of souls floating inside the glass.It’sglorious.
“Those souls power the realm. The king of Hell and Dean designed it so every Hell-bound soul passes through here first. As long as a Grim Reaper is alive and doing their job, this realm will never fall apart.” Angel’s voice reaches me, but my eyes are stuck on the ethereal view.
The glass panels are framed by gold, black, red, and forest green jewels. One for each Horseman. A perfect symbol of how all four contribute to the survival of this realm equally.
Grace nudges my shoulder. “Want to go inside?”
I want to. Desperately. But it doesn’t feel right. Not until Papa is there to greet me, instead of the haunting silence. Grace gets it and ushers everyone along.
August is fast asleep on Angel’s shoulder, his little hand fisted in the collar of his dark sweater. Angel keeps rubbing his back, quietly answering Harvey’s millionth question.
“Ready to go home, sweetheart?” Angel takes my hand and brings it to his lips, kissing my knuckles as he leads me toward the heart of our kingdom.
I let my eyes drift to the approaching castle. If I thought I loved the individual ones, Fates, this one steals my heart. The design is sleek and relatively modern, minimalist even except for the striking horse sculptures that demand attention.
On each of the four pillars stands a majestic horse rearing on its hind legs. The four horses of the Apocalypse: one blood-red horse with black wings, one jet black horse with pale green wings, a pristine white horse with gold wings, and finally, my Diamond, a pale horse with crystal wings tinged in red and orange at the tips.
