Chapter 22
Ava gripped Bella’s reins as she rode beside Casimir, Jorrar and Quinn leading their party. The animal companions weaved in and out of the forest as they closed in on the astral kingdom’s entrance—less than an hour away.
As they left the boundaries of Igneothenia and approached Caelestia’s territory, the terrain had drastically changed.
The rocky onyx ground gave way to lush greenery—so dense it was as if they had entered an entirely different world.
But it wasn’t the green of Monterre she was used to with the tall oak trees and towering mountains. The flora here was even more magical.
They rode along a small path winding through the forest, filled with trees nothing like Ava could have imagined in her wildest dreams. White bark mottled with flecks of silver glimmered in the sun.
Golden leaves the size of her palm boasting metallic veins shone brightly whenever the light hit them.
And everything sparkled.
Even the birds, with their long tails ending in copper hues, twinkled as they flew by, singing enchanting, lilting melodies.
Brilliant metallic pink flowers speckled the grass, swaying in the breeze.
A tawny rabbit munched on a nearby shrub, startling several purple dragonflies from their resting place.
“This is amazing,” Ava whispered, taking it all in.
“Just as beautiful as I remember,” Jorrar murmured.
Casimir and Quinn nodded their agreement as they kept on.
“The whole kingdom is in the clouds, right?” Ava asked.
“Yes,” said Jorrar. “On floating islands.”
“How do we get up there?”
“You’ll see.”
Casimir was tense beside her, though obviously trying to hide it. “How are you feeling about seeing your father and brother?”
“It’s what has to be done,” he said, keeping his tone even.
“That’s not what I asked.”
“I’m not excited about it. But you being with me will make it much more tolerable.”
“We’ll make it through this,” she said, trying to convince herself as well.
Persuading Orion to aid them was going to be much more difficult than Ava was prepared for, and she had to take the lead. The astral king would never listen to anything Casimir had to say.
“We’re here,” Quinn said, pulling Ava from her thoughts.
The forest opened up and a round structure sat before them. Pillars carved from bright white stone shone with a heavenly glow, encircling a large platform. A dozen guards surrounded the monolith, dressed in golden armor glinting in the sun.
One of them approached. “State your names and your business.”
Ava pulled forward on her horse, assuming her role. “Ava Everwood, Princess of Monterre. Accompanied by our Chief Royal Advisor Jorrar Farrow, General Casimir Undergrove, and Captain Quinn Ashbluff. We sent word to His Majesty ahead of time. He’s expecting us.”
“Very good,” the guard said. “Follow me. Your animals may come along.”
We get to come? Luna asked, excitement in her voice.
“Yes. Thorne insisted in his letter.”
Orion may not be happy about it.
“I really don’t care. There are places for you to hunt and relax while we’re there. Besides, I’m tired of being separated from you.”
I am too.
The group followed the guards up a low set of steps to the middle of the structure. “Remain on your horses, as close to the center of the platform as possible.”
Their escort stayed beside them as the floor vibrated with a strange sort of energy. The astral fae had his arms outstretched and eyes closed in concentration as he used his magic to move them.
The platform lifted. Ava looked up, trying to get a view of Caelestia but all she could see were thick white clouds as they made their ascent.
“What if we fall off the edge?” she whispered, eyes widening at the lack of railings.
“Then you die,” the guard answered as he continued to raise the ethereal elevator.
The horses shifted on their feet, whinnying with nerves.
Ava leaned forward and stroked Bella’s neck, whispering softly.
Aro plopped down with a chuff, as if he was bored, while Luna snuggled into his fur.
Quinn’s panther, Bastien, sat on his haunches, his eyes never leaving the astral soldier as he licked his chops.
Percy perched on Jorrar’s shoulder, contentedly fluffing his feathers.
“When we arrive in the capital city of Borealis, you will be escorted to your quarters. Freshen up and change. His Majesty is expecting you for dinner.”
They rose higher, passing through thick white fog as far as the eye could see. Moisture dampened Ava’s skin and clothing, goosebumps on her arms from the chill of the clouds.
After a few minutes they emerged. Ava couldn’t hold in her gasp as she took in the sprawling metropolis before them.
Caelestia.
What they hadn’t been able to see from the ground were dozens of floating islands, the clouds at their base like a fluffy white ocean.
Miles away were more islands—the smaller towns hardly visible from where they stood.
Waterfalls cascaded down the sides of the landmasses, disappearing into the sky below.
Wide, golden bridges with high railings connected the floating land, citizens walking along and going about their daily business without a care in the world.
“This is stunning,” Ava whispered.
“I must admit, it is,” Casimir said calmly but he was clutching his reins so tightly his hands were trembling and sweat had formed along his brow.
“Are you alright?” Ava asked, reaching out to touch his arm.
“I’m fine. I’m just not a fan of heights.”
Ava narrowed her eyes, not buying his explanation. But she didn’t push. He’d tell her later when he was ready.
The platform halted, arriving at a structure identical to the one on the ground below.
“Welcome to Caelestia,” their guide said, then nodded to several other guards. “They will escort you to the castle.”
Ava guided her horse off the platform, followed by the rest of her team.
“Please dismount. We will take your horses to the stables and ensure they are taken care of.”
Swinging her leg over, Ava stepped off Bella, thanking the soldier who led her away.
“What about the animals?” she asked.
“There is a forest near the castle where they may spend their time. Please, follow us.”
They arrived at the edge of the capital city of Borealis, spread out over several floating islands, and followed their escorts through the bustling town.
The buildings were made of bright white stone, carved with celestial designs framing the doors and clear glass windows.
Moons, stars and suns were depicted on flags lining the white brick streets.
The citizens donned clothing made of soft, flowing fabrics in varying pastels and whites and golds.
Everything was ethereal, light, airy. Trees packed with pale pink blooms grew throughout the city, the breeze laden with their faint floral scent reminiscent of gardenias.
Most of the citizens barely gave their party a passing glance, not friendly like her people in Mosshaven, as they went about their errands.
There was less diversity here too, the majority of the townspeople appearing to be high fae.
Not like the orcs, goblins, pixies, gnomes and other fae in Ava’s kingdom.
They passed eateries, a bookshop and a blacksmith with golden weapons displayed on the wall of his shop.
Casimir reached for her hand, interlacing their fingers as they made their way to the castle. He was still a bit pale, but wasn’t trembling any longer.
Once through town, they arrived at a bridge leading to a large island, the castle sitting proudly in its center. The bridge swayed under their feet and Ava tried not to look down as they crossed.
A woven golden archway framed the entrance to the castle grounds. On their left was a dense forest full of pink flowering trees and bright green grass, wrapping around the side and back of the castle.
“The animals may stay there,” a guard said.
I’m going to go explore, Luna said. Contact me if you need anything.
Ava gave her a quick pet on the head before they took off in search of food.
“You know they will likely kill any native creatures you have in order to feed, right?” Quinn cocked her head at the guard.
“We brought in a flock of sheep for them,” he said. “And there are plenty of rodents for the owl.”
“Oh,” Ava said, surprised. “That was very kind of you.”
“Not everyone here dislikes the other kingdoms,” he responded quietly.
Taking a chance, Ava asked, “Does that mean you believe your army should help in the war?”
He was quiet for a moment, eyes scanning as if checking for eavesdroppers. “It doesn’t matter what I think. I’m not the one you must convince.”
She nodded, getting the hint it wasn’t appropriate to push any further. But it was a nice surprise some of the astral fae disagreed with Orion’s lack of urgency about assisting.
After walking through a courtyard filled with blush pink and pale yellow roses encircling a golden fountain, they arrived at the steps of the castle.
Carved with the same white stone as the rest of the structures in town, the palace boasted monumental spires reaching toward the sky.
Columns framed the marble doors carved with a sun on the left and a moon on the right.
The doors opened into a massive foyer, a glass roof welcoming in the sunlight, casting everything with a warm glow.
And there was so much gold. The corbels shining in the eaves.
The trim on the walls, displaying dozens of portraits of astral royalty.
The veins swirling in the marble floor beneath their feet.
On every door handle. In the sentries’ armor.
Though beautiful, Ava found it a little…ostentatious. Not warm and cozy like her castle, but almost too sophisticated; too elaborate. Though she supposed it matched the arrogance of the astral royalty.
Two more guards approached, stopping before them. “Please remove your weapons. They are not allowed in the castle.” Ava hesitated, glancing at Casimir. He nodded. “I assure you, they will be kept safe and returned to you when you depart.”
Ava removed her sword, dagger, bow and quiver of arrows, handing them off. Casimir and Jorrar followed suit. The guard standing in front of Quinn held out his hand, waiting.
“Quinn,” Casimir urged.
With a roll of her eyes, she began to unsheathe her many daggers, muttering under her breath. The guard raised his brows as she handed him the fifth, turning away. “Don’t be in such a hurry,” Quinn snapped. “There are more.”
He paused, extending his arms again. Undoing snaps and buckles, Quinn continued pulling out blade after blade.
“How many weapons did you bring?” Ava whispered harshly.
“You can never be too prepared. You could learn from me, you know.”
Glancing at the man holding the weapons, Ava pressed her lips together to hold in her laugh at his incredulous expression, his arms so full he could barely keep from dropping them.
“Is she always this armed?” Ava asked.
“Yes,” Jorrar and Casimir responded in tandem.
With a big sigh, the sentry asked, “Is that it?”
Quinn was bent over, digging in her boots. “Hang on.”
She pulled out two small throwing daggers from each, setting them on the top of the pile. “Do I have everything now?” he asked.
“Nope.”
The man groaned.
She reached into her intricate braid, pulling out what looked like hair pins, but upon closer inspection, Ava could see tiny blades at the end of each.
“All done,” Quinn said with a sly grin.
“How many daggers do you carry?” Ava asked.
“Eighteen.”
Jorrar chuckled.
“Please wait here,” the soldier said. “Your next escort will arrive any minute.”
He disappeared down a hallway with the others carrying the weapons. Several other sentries watched closely from where they were stationed throughout the foyer.
“I feel very underdressed,” Ava muttered.
They wore their typical Monterre attire—brown pants and tunics in varying earthy tones, their boots covered in mud from travel.
“They’ll have clothing for us to wear,” Jorrar said. “Like when you were in Saxumdale and dressed in their attire. They’ll expect it here too.”
Though they had brought their own clothes, she knew it was a possibility they’d have to dress differently. And she was willing to do whatever it took to convince the king to help.
“Well, hello there. It’s strange to see all of you uncivilized earth fae in my castle. At least your filthy mongrels aren’t inside,” a snide voice spoke from their left.
Ava turned toward the newcomer as he strode toward the group.
Jareth. The prince and heir to the celestial throne. And Casimir’s half-brother.