And I’d told Raithe towalkhimself—just as Kole and Mel’s mother had done. Regret festered in my belly. No matter my frustrations with the man, even in the midst of my abduction, I knew better than to callously throw that word around.
I toyed with the sleeves of my dress. “Is… Raithe alright?”
Felaf peered at me. “He’s… in a mood.”
“Isn’t he always?”
Felaf chortled at that. “You seem to understand him well.” She leaned forward with her hand cupping the side of her mouth and whispered, “He thinks he’s so covert.”
My eyes widened. “Can he hear us from wherever he is?”
“We can hear for miles without interference or distractions. Sometimes it’s difficult to sift through the different voices,sounds, and layers of the palace. If you were to ask Raithe, though, he would smugly tell you he can hear as far as Antares.”
I’d assumed all guardians, and Scorpions, were like Raithe—stoic, serious, tough. Dangerous, even. I didn’t question the predatorial strength Felaf was capable of, but now she seemed a little more human to me. “You’re not at all what I was expecting.”
Felaf laughed. “Should I be flattered?”
“You’re not scary or brooding.”
“Damn, not even scary?”
It was my turn to chuckle. “You know what I mean.”
She shrugged. “Scorpions get a bad reputation solely because of our intense nature. But our intensity shows up in different ways depending on the rest of our natal chart placements. I’m a Capricorn rising and Taurus moon. I value structure, but I’m no less passionate than my fellow Scorpions.”
I fleetingly wondered what Raithe’s other placements were and if they were at all compatible with mine. Likely not, all things considered. “Where is Raithe now?”
“With Gertah, our physician, in the infirmary. She’s the one who has been providing healing ointments like yarrow for your glyphs. She can create a concoction for any ailment, including monthly cycle pains. Guardians don’t usually need such remedies though. We heal a lot faster than most.” Felaf kicked the ground. “Raithe should be halfway mended by tomorrow morning?—”
“Hewillbe alright though?” I didn’t know why I cared so much. If it was the other way around, he’d likely rejoice in my pain. No, I just needed him for my planned leverage to work.
“Yes. It takes a lot to kill a guardian.”
There was much on my mind, but at present was a regretful choice of words I needed to apologize for. The last thing I wanted was to stay on Raithe’s bad side. Perhaps he would be gratefulfor my having stopped his punishment. Grateful enough that he’d be willing to help me keep my grandparents safe, and I wouldn’t need to resort to leverage.
I smoothed my hair behind my ears. “Take me to him.”
Chapter 29
Rahzlyn
The palace hallways were endless,winding, and as opulent as the queen’s chambers. With towering stone walls adorned with rich, crimson tapestries and colossal chandeliers, I couldn’t help but marvel at its grandiosity. I stumbled into Felaf every so often, unable to tear my gaze from the ornate columns, sconces, and intricately patterned fabrics.
Black rugs, banners, and flags swathed nearly every wall. Artwork—big and small—of Scorpio’s sacred creature, the scorpion, hung everywhere. It surprised me how comforting I found the dark, dramatic colors. “This palace is beautiful. And massive.”
“Indeed,” Felaf agreed. “A large staff is needed to keep everything running. The skyland itself is a mile long and wide, and nearly as deep. In a way, it’s like its own city. It’s one of the last remaining palaces built during the time of the first Chosens. Capricorn is the only other queendom with most of their original architecture still intact, or so Raithe says. He reads a lot. All other territories have needed significant reconstruction over the years. When we Scorpions build something, it stands the test of time.”
“And the servants and the guards all live here?”
“Certainly. There’s an entire wing for the servants and for the guards. There’s a guest wing as well for when the barons and other courts visit. Though it’s been years since they’ve been here.”
“Are the servants and guards all compensated?”
“Fed and clothed. Only official members of the court receive monthly Tin.”
We passed guards and servants, all of whom bowed their heads before scanning me with wariness. No one seemed to know what to make of me, especially after today’s events.
Water trickled from the walls into rivulets along the floors, flowing in the direction we walked. “Isn’t Scorpio suffering from a massive drought?” I prompted Felaf.
