Chapter 30
30
KAEL
By the time we reached the Skyway, none in Aethralis stirred, except the guards.
“Prince Kael of?—”
“I know who you are. You may not pass. You know the custom.”
Had I really thought this would be easy? Adren had asked me as much, but I’d refused to consider the possibility that I’d not be allowed to see Mev. No one, except those residing at the palace, would be allowed entry once the sun set.
“Did the princess reach the palace?” Rowan asked.
The guards’ sharp gazes even extended to Rowan. They didn’t appear inclined to respond.
She had to be in there. “We only wish to ensure she is safe,” I said. If I had to wait until morn to get in to see her, I’d gladly do so. Besides, there was no way up the Skyway without an Aetherian due to the wards, even if I could overpower the guards. Traditionally, it was a station reserved for some of the most powerful in their clan, though I did not know either of these men.
“We are not leaving until we know she is safe,” Rowan said.
Silence.
“Will you send for Lyra, at least?”
The guards exchanged a look.
“You may not pass.” The second guard spoke for the first time.
“And Aetherians are supposed to have better hearing than most,” Adren muttered, earning him a sharp look from both guards.
“If you will simply send for Lyra,” I said, knowing they would not let us through, or give us any information about Mev. It was the best hope we had. “She will tell you that we escorted the princess here and wish only to ensure her safety.” I wished for much more, of course, but that would have to wait.
“If you simply tell Lyra we are here—” Rowan tried again.
The guards ignored us both.
I could wreak havoc, awaken half of Aethralis and gain the king’s attention. And was close to doing just that when Rowan stayed my hand.
“I have seen what he can do and have no wish to be embroiled in another battle,” Rowan said. “We will leave, straight away, if you simply tell us if the princess is safe. Alternatively, we can awaken everyone in the village so we might question them, but since I assume you’d prefer to avoid?—”
“She has returned and is safe,” the one I’d decided to attack first said. “We will say no more.”
I hated when Rowan forced me to be impressed by his diplomacy.
“You refuse to summon Lyra?” I asked.
“If she, or the princess, wish to see you, they will do so.”
She was safe. Nothing else mattered. I wanted to see her, but it was clear we’d not be allowed to do so this eve. “I will take you at your word,” I said, knowing we’d be forced back downhill to the borders of the city to find respite and rest. “But I will return in the morn to speak to her myself.”
Before waiting for a response, I spurred Stormbreaker back down the mountain. There was nothing more to be gained at this time of eve here, and mostly importantly, we had the information we needed.
“He’s coming with us?”
I turned at Adren’s question, watching as Rowan expertly mounted his horse. He said nothing, and the human still had questions to answer.
“Aye,” I said, grudgingly. “He comes with us.”
Adren mumbled under his breath. Rowan laughed.
For my part, I cared little about anything other than seeing Mev. And telling her what I should have earlier that day.
* * *
By now, all of Aethralis, and half of Aetheria, it seemed, knew we were here. Before the sun had risen, we made our way back up to the Skyway only to be stopped by the same guards. I’d hoped new ones would be on duty.
“She’s not coming, Kael,” Adren said.
I would forever be grateful for his loyalty, Adren knowing full well the implications of standing against Terran and with me, but at this moment, I wished only for him to cease talking.
“You’ve said as much all morn,” I mumbled.
The guards refused to speak to us. Rowan had left, saying he would return, but thus far had not. Every so often we would glimpse a rider behind us, as if seeing for themselves that I were indeed sitting at the palace gates.
She would come.
The sun had risen already, but still no Mev.
“Your human returns.”
Rowan rode toward us. I was as uncertain of him as I was the situation with Mev. Speaking to him last eve, the knight revealed nothing. Since he’d been too young when Mev’s mother was taken, if he’d met her, Rowan himself had been just a babe. How he knew of her magic with such certainty was still a mystery, and I liked it not.
On the other hand, he’d proven loyal to Mev and a worthy companion thus far.
“Princess Mevlida is within, though I’m uncertain why she’s not sent for you,” Rowan said. “None have seen Lyra since she returned.”
“How do you know such things?” Adren asked before I could.
Before Rowan answered, a rider in the distance caught our collective attention. Our party of three made our way back to the guardhouse.
Lyra.
“When did you arrive?” she asked us.
“Last eve,” I said. Before the words even left my mouth, Lyra was glaring at the guards.
“Why were we not informed?” she said. Her anger was not feigned. “You were asked to fetch me when our guests arrived.”
“Guests,” one of the guards muttered.
“King Galfrid was,” the other said. Apparently, that was to be his entire explanation. Neither of them looked in my direction. I had a mind to grow a thorned rosebush at both of their feet. I imagined it entwining their bodies and crawling upwards, the men screaming as it circled around their necks.
Mev would not be pleased if I tortured her guards.
“Where is she?” I asked Lyra. And why has she not sent for us or come to the Gate? Had Galfrid turned her against me? I had no doubt he would attempt to do as much. Neither did I blame him.
“In the palace,” Lyra said, as if I didn’t know that already. “They are coming back with me.” When one of the guards opened his mouth to argue, Lyra did not let him speak. “You will not deny these men entry. If it were not for them, your princess would not have been returned to you. Either admit them, or you will both find yourselves at the mercy of my winds. Tell the king we are coming.”
Apparently they were strong, but Lyra was stronger. I didn’t doubt it. She’d been trained by the best.
“Kael, Rowan, Adren… mount up and follow.”
So she did remember him. Though Adren had remained in Gyoria when I’d served on the Council, he’d come periodically to bring news from home or at the behest of my father who had no notion that Adren was more loyal to me than him.
I’d expected one, or both guards, to stop us, but it seemed they were already whispering with the king. By the time Lyra removed the wards and we reached the palace steps, a dozen or so more guards greeted us.
“Your king,” I said to Lyra, “has forgotten how many years I served in Aetheria without incident.”
As we dismounted, Lyra motioned for our mounts to be taken away.
“Even then, you rarely visited the palace. And never with the princess in attendance.”
Still no sign of Mev.
“Rowan. Adren. I will escort Kael to the throne room. Galindre will see you are fed.”
I hadn’t seen the royal steward appear at the top of the white marble steps. Knowing Adren would refuse, I stepped in.
“Go,” I said. “One Gyorian in the king’s presence is enough for today. I will be safe.”
Uncertain, as we reached the top of the steps, Adren paused. “Go,” I repeated, this time as a command. He did not hesitate. As he and Rowan were led away by the steward, I followed Lyra inside.
“Why did she not come?” I asked as the guards followed.
“I have not seen her since last eve. She took a meal privately with her father, and I was told she slept still this morn. I’ve been busy, in the interim, speaking with Eirion, who is most anxious to talk to her.”
He was not the only one.
Leaving the soaring ceilings and arched windows of the grand entrance hall, we walked through wide and spacious corridors. Lined with tall columns of white marble that stretched upwards toward the sky, each was subtly carved with motifs of wind and flight. Rich tapestries depicting the history and legends of Aetheria hung on the walls, their vibrant colors and fine threads shimmering in the morning light.
Reaching the throne room, I was reminded of the last time I’d stood inside with my brother. We’d come to return the Wind Crystal, a gesture that might have moved Aetheria and Gyoria toward peace, but did not. King Galfrid would never forgive our father for his actions against his wife and unborn child and for closing the Gate.
The throne room, located at the heart of the palace, was a vast, open space with a domed ceiling painted with a mural of a swirling vortex of clouds and stars, capturing the essence of the Aetherian skies. The throne itself, atop a raised dais, was crafted from polished silver and set with sapphires and aquamarines. Flanked by statues of past Aetherian rulers, each carved from a single block of white marble, even I had to admit it was an impressive sight.
As was the figure seated at it.
But still, no sign of Mev.
“You may go,” Galfrid said to Lyra who bowed and left us. “As may you all,” he said to the four guards who followed us into the throne room. They hesitated, but obeyed.
Neither of us spoke at first. For me, there was just one question.
“Where is she?”
The king raised his eyes. Before he could respond, I realized Mev had joined us, doing so as quietly as any skilled Aetherian.
I turned, seeing neither Mia nor even Mev.
Standing before me was Princess Mevlida, daughter of King Galdrid of Aetheria. Her hair had never shone so brightly as it hung in waves around her shoulders. She was dressed in an elegant gown of soft, flowing gossamer, a hue of pale blue that matched the color of the Aetherian skies at dawn. Silver embroidery along the edges of her dress caught the light, reflecting it like a thousand tiny stars. Her presence was commanding yet serene, embodying both her royal heritage and the newfound confidence that had grown every day we’d been together.
She had not sent for me. Or come to me. Because this was not my princess, but the princess.
Not my love, but my enemy.