“I think I might puke if I do,” I replied through a throat-bobbing gulp. I was sure if I were to pass a mirror that my skin would resemble the color of grass.
“You have been unconscious for days, and your body is starving. I’ll show you to the kitchen, then you’ll feel better once you eat.”
“Days?”I exclaimed, my jaw falling to the floor. “What day is it?”
“June tenth.”
In Caelestis, the summer weather began in early May, lasting sometimes all the way through September depending on the year. Here though, I was unsure what to expect from the climate.
“Your injuries were incredibly severe. I would not say they’re even fully healed yet. We kept you under as long as we could so you wouldn't feel the pain.”
I winced, rejecting his offered hand and instead standing on my own. My bones cracked and my muscles burned as I followed him out the door. I half-expected Sebastian to be waiting on the other side, but the pale, peach-painted corridor was lifeless.
The wall felt smooth against the fingertip I dragged along it as I walked side-by-side with myfather.
Gods. I wouldn’t ever adjust to being able to use that title.
Fruit trees planted in ceramic pots lined the hallway. Above them hung glowing lanterns, one on each side of the numerous doors we passed in our travels. Eventually, the space opened up into a grand foyer with arches set apart every few feet, creating an endless variety of pathways.
Archer took a sharp left, directing us through the nearest entryway.
My eyes squinted shut as glaring sunlight struck my skin for the first time in days.
“Shit,” I cursed, using my hand as a shield. “Nobody thought to open my curtains while I was out? I feel like I’m crawling out of a damn cave.”
Archer chortled as we crossed a grassy lawn splayed with pink and orange flowers.
When my eyes finally adjusted, I took a brief glance at my surroundings. Though not a castle by nature, the mansion may as well have been deemed one. It stood at least six stories high, judging by the rows of windows I counted during our walk. Built of ivory marble and accentuated with floral gold detailing, the architecture of the building would classify it as a palace in my mind.
“The gods built this?” I inquired, my admiration feeding into my tone.
“Every square inch,” Archer replied, leading me through yet another archway trimmed in gold.
“They builtthis,but refused to stop a damn war?”Selfish bastards.
“The balance of life and death. Remember?”
I grumbled a crude response.
A few golden benches were spread throughout the courtyard, outlining the cobblestone patio we crossed. A young couple sat upon one, watching a toddler chase a butterfly. They seemed, dare I say,normal.
“How many people live here?” My eyes were glued to the child, observing as his mother lifted him from the grass after he nosedived for—and missed—the butterfly.
“A few hundred, but ever growing. A baby was born just this morning,” Archer chimed with a grin.
“They all live in this building?”
“Goodness, no. There are some cottages that line the outskirts of this land. We’ve built them over the years. The only ones who live in this building are myself and the others you could consider members. You’ll live here, too, of course. And your friends, if they wish.”
“Members?”
“Of Lumosia’s government.”
“So what, are you the king or something?” I scoffed. Would a kingdom created by the gods even be ruled by such?
“Yes.”
My lips sucked in as I shut my damn mouth.
