“I thought you said the people would be happy to see Sterling back home. Everyone here looks rather subdued,” I said as I raised my brow in question.
“This is where the humans of our court reside. How they feel about Prince Sterling is irrelevant. It’s like asking a lion to care what insects think about them.” Thalos laughed, declining to elaborate any further on his comment.
Forrest peered out the carriage window, sadness etched all over his face. “Was I awful to these people?” he asked quietly.
Thalos huffed. “Absolutely not, Your Highness. You were the epitome of what a fae ruler should be. There is a hierarchy here, and you understood the importance of everyone knowing where their place was within it.”
Forrest turned to Thalos, his expression forlorn. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“It depends on who you ask, Your Highness. If you asked these people in the streets, they would most likely come up with some fabricated tale about how terrible you have been to them. If you asked the fae, they would tell you what kind of stand-up prince you are andhow you have done so much to ensure our kind continues to thrive and prosper.”
As soon as the words left Thalos’s mouth, my stomach churned. I leaned into the carriage wall, distancing myself from Forrest. Every time I had thought about who Forrest must have been in his previous life, it had never occurred to me that he could be someone I wouldn’t respect. Not once had I ever thought that the man I had rescued and nurtured back to health, the one I had spent countless intimate moments with, could be problematic. I had just assumed that he would be someone of good conscience, and now I felt like a total fool. My face burned with the embarrassment of this sudden realization.
Forrest turned to look at me and the distance I had put between us, his face relaying how hurt he was by the small move. “Aurelia, I’m sorry,” he whispered.
“You don’t need to apologize to anyone, Your Highness, especially not to her,” Thalos interrupted.
His callous words resonated within me.
Every worry and insecurity I had felt leading to this place was being confirmed. I had travelled to another realm and still managed to find myself undervalued and barely tolerated.
Passing through the outer edges of the town, I saw what my future would look like if I stayed here. Any grand fantasies I’d had of Forrest and me remaining together had been dashed on the pisssoaked dirt streets by the ever-looming ghost of who he had once been—Prince Sterling. I didn’t have to meet his parents to realize our relationship would not be accepted. I looked into the streets, trying to hide my face as angry tears started to fall. I could hear Thalos and Sterling continuing their conversation in the distance, their words making little sense over the deafening sound of my heart breaking into millions of tiny, jagged pieces.
Several moments later, we passed through a different area of the town, separated by elegant, geometrically shaped crystal fencing thatlooked like a beautifully veiled threat to those who lived on the other side. The homes here were taller and more robust, made of white stone with pristine terracotta roofs. Cobblestone streets veined with amber crystal ran throughout, lined with floating lanterns. Extensive lengths of ivy and wisteria hung across each lane, creating a whimsical canopy. The scent of fresh lilac and freesia filled the air. The streets were empty, devoid of any signs of life, except for the few carriages crossing before ours. It felt stifled and sterile compared to the liveliness of the human quarter.
“I assume this is where the fae live,” I said, to no one in particular.
With every moment that passed, I was becoming more disillusioned and angry. I felt foolish for ever letting myself hope that the fae would be higher beings. They were just as judgmental and awful as humans.
“Yes, that would be correct,” Thalos replied. “The closer to the Citrine Palace we get, the nobler the fae families are.”
“Are humans allowed to live here?” I asked, not bothering to hide the annoyance in my voice.
“The human contingent of our court lives in the outer part of the town—that was the area we just passed through. It was created specifically for them during our war with the Obsidian Court. The Nightfallen Demon had been hunting down and enslaving humans, so our benevolent king took the poor souls in and built a separate quarter for them. Something they could call their own, as their previous homes had been destroyed.”
I turned to face Forrest and Thalos. “Will I be expected to live in that filthy, destitute place once we’re settled? Is that the thank you I’m going to receive for saving the precious prince’s life?”
Equal parts disgust and annoyance laced my words. I knew I was behaving with an undeserved level of entitlement, but it was important to me that Forrest understood what could happen to me once this carriage ride ended, if it hadn’t already become clear to him.
“I can’t speak on behalf of the king and queen, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that is, in fact, where you end up,” Thalos replied with mock sincerity. “I’m sure they will be ever so grateful for your assistance, but it would be quite unexpected if you ended up elsewhere. The alternative would be to send you back to your realm, assuming the portal is still active—but that doesn’t sound like a pleasant option for you, given what you’ve shared with me of your escape from there.”
“That cannot happen,” Forrest declared. “I won’t allow it. I want her to stay with me in the palace. She deserves to be cared for after everything she has done for me.”
Thalos sighed. “That is a discussion you must have with the king and queen, Your Highness.”
Forrest’s jaw tightened—a look of resolve settled over his features. “Oh, I plan on it, Captain Evergreen,” he replied, returning his gaze to the outside just as we reached the ominous, towering gates of the Citrine Palace.
Chapter 16
As we passed through the sharp, angular crystal gates, a strong tingling sensation ran over me, as if we had just passed through some sort of magical barrier. Chills covered my body at the invasive sensation. The late-afternoon sun shone upon the golden crystal palace, the fractured light creating sunbeams that shone across the courtyard. The path beneath us had abruptly changed from stone to citrine cobble inlaid with veins of opal and gold. We had barely made it past the gates, and despite myself, I was in awe of the opulence.
We approached an immense circular outer courtyard lined with several rows of tiered flower beds containing vibrant blooms I had never seen before. A marble fountain stood in the centre, and liquid light flowed from it, creating the most soothing chiming sound. On the far side of the courtyard, facing the ocean and the sun, was a platform structure with several steps leading up to a dais, which had a large pole situated on either side. It all appeared to be made of solid ruby, and while it might be viewed as beautiful on its own, it stood out in stark contrast to the warmth and softness of the flowers and fountain.
A shiver went down my spine as I continued to stare at the object. I had no idea what it was, but my gut was telling me that it could not be good. Rows of royal guardians wearing silver armour with the Citrine Court sigil lined the courtyard, greeting us silently as we made our way around the other side of the fountain.Formidable longswords hung from their backs, on top of their emerald cloaks, while slightly smaller swords hung on their hips. Every one of them was wearing a mask of cold indifference as we made our way past.
My gut churned, and I was thankful for once for having an empty stomach; otherwise, its contents would have ended up all over the floor of the carriage. Forrest reached out to hold my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. I slowly pulled my hand away from his and responded with a pathetic smile.
“When we exit the carriage, we will take you directly to the throne room to meet King Julian and Queen Oriana.” Thalos directed this toward Forrest. “I apologize that you will not have time to wash and freshen up before seeing them, but they were insistent that they be the first to assess you upon your return.” Thalos turned his attention toward me. “And I’m sure they will want more information from you. They will not be satisfied with the version of events you have shared with me. It is in your best interest that you answer their questions with the truth and not the half-truths you’ve shared with me. Otherwise, your stay in this realm will become very unpleasant.”
