In pairs we took off, and through the impossible lack of gravitation in Nox Eternum, I propelled Naeris and me to my palace.
Silver light unraveled around us as we stepped onto the upper platform of my palace. Naeris went completely still beside me. I tried not to look too smug about it.
Tried.
And failed spectacularly.
The palace rose around us in layered towers of black crystal and silver-veined stone, each spire curved toward the stars like blades forged for gods. Rivers of luminous energy flowed beneath the translucent floors, pulsing softly through the structure like veins carrying celestial fire. Above us, enormous rings rotated slowly around the tallest towers, covered in glowing symbols older than most civilizations.
And the stars… the palace had been designed to embrace them. Open terraces floated unsupported through the air while silver trees swayed beneath drifting nebula light. Water cascaded upward through channels carved into obsidian walls before dissolving into glowing mist high above.
It was excessive. Magnificently excessive. And I suddenly enjoyed it far more through Naeris' eyes. She slowly turned in a circle beside me.
“This is your palace?”
I folded my arms behind my back with what I considered appropriate dignity. “It has its charms.”
Her head snapped toward me.
“Charms?” She gestured wildly at the towering structures around us. “Thyros, this thing is larger than entire cities.”
A grin pulled at my mouth before I could stop it. “I may have overcompensated slightly.”
“Slightly?”
Her voice echoed through the vast entrance hall as we stepped inside. The ceiling stretched impossibly high above us, alive with moving constellations and drifting galaxies. Ancient Arkhevari statues lined the walls, warriors frozen mid-battle with swords raised toward the stars.
Naeris pointed upward. “Your ceiling has an entire cosmos in it.”
“It’s relaxing.”
She laughed softly under her breath. By the stars, that sound still affected me like a direct strike to the chest.
“Do you live here alone?” she asked.
I looked down at her.Not anymore.Warm satisfaction spread through me at the immediate flush rising across her cheeks. Beautiful female.
Mine.
We walked deeper into the palace while she continued staring around herself in open disbelief. Every chamber we passed only seemed to worsen her astonishment. Crystal gardens floated between hallways. Ancient weapons hovered inside suspended fields of silver light. Massive panoramic windows overlooked endless stars and drifting moons.
She stopped abruptly before enormous silver doors etched with celestial maps. “How many rooms are in this place?”
I considered briefly. “Thirty bedrooms.”
Her eyes widened. “Thirty?”
“Thirty-two bathrooms.”
She turned toward me in visible horror. “What possible reason does one male need for thirty-two bathrooms?”
I shrugged lightly. “One never knows when thirty-one may become occupied.”
Her laughter burst through the corridor like music. The sound hit me with unexpected force. For millions of years, this palace had been silent. Now it felt alive.
“Four dining halls,” I continued helpfully. “Seven libraries. Three war rooms. Two observatories.”
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “You’re making these up now.”
