Chapter 7
Aurora
Caelum soars through the air, the wind whipping past, stinging my eyes. He glances down at me. “Don’t fret. We’ll be back on the ground in no time.”
I nod, my tears plastering my face.
Caelum’s bright red wings flap rhythmically behind us.
I don’t dare look down. Instead, I focus on his wings and how it seems as if every single feather plays its part in keeping us in the air.
Caelum smirks down at me, and I wait for him to say something amorous.
But he stays silent. Although I’m not in the mood for his arrogant banter, I wouldn’t have minded the distraction.
To my surprise, he doesn’t speak the entire trip, save for a few times when he asks if I’m doing okay.
I drift off to sleep after passing over Raven’s Ridge, the familiar dark peaks sending shivers down my spine at the memory of the dragon—Isolde—chasing Soren and me to Eldersmoor. It feels like a lifetime ago.
When I wake, the sun has dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in a dusty, purple grey. Before us rise towering mountains, and I recognize them from when I was in Whispering Glenn—Silverveil Mountains and the Northern Shadows. We’ve arrived.
Caelum descends to the base of the tallest peak.
He keeps an arm around my shoulders as the blood rushes back to my legs and feet.
After a moment, I take a step, and he releases his hold on me.
I expect him to shake out his arms after carrying me for hours on such a long journey.
But he only straightens and plows toward the obsidian face of mountain rock.
My eyes scan the landscape, trying to determine where Lord Arc’s palace is. I stumble after Caelum, and as I move closer to the mountain, I see shimmering symbols carved into the stone. I can’t read them, of course, but my magic prickles my skin.
Caelum places a palm on the rock, and massive double doors appear from the solid stone. I step back in surprise as Caelum looks over his shoulder to wink at me. Ugh, the man is incredulous.
The doors open into the cavernous mountain and Caelum disappears into the darkness, unconcerned if I am following him or not. I look around, considering my opportunity to flee into the woods. But rustling in the trees nearby makes me reconsider. I shiver and hustle after Caelum.
The stone doors groan shut behind me and disappear back into the rock from which they came.
The corridor inside the mountain is dim, minimally lit by glowing torches. I quicken my pace until I am within reach of the massive fae. On and on we walk, the smell of damp earth and the sound of trickling water evidence of the fact that I am walking deep within a mountain.
We round a corner, and a halo of light appears at the end of the corridor.
I follow him through an arched doorway and into a cavernous room, with ceilings rising at least thirty feet.
The polished dark stone floor reflects the glowing orbs of light that dance around the room, and my eyes land on an impressive throne.
The dais is dark—obsidian like the mountain itself—and it radiates powerful energy.
The room is empty except for Caelum and me. “Welcome to the Northern Shadows,” he says, spreading his arms out wide with a grin that seems wildly out of place in the darkness.
I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t an empty grand hall. There are no snarling creatures with multiple heads snapping at me, no gruesome dark lord to make me recoil in terror. No. It’s an ordinary palace, except for being under a mountain, of course.
“I am glad it suits you,” a deep, smooth voice says.
I whip my head to see a tall male stalk toward me through an archway.
His leggings and tunic are a pale grey, almost silver, and his dark boots click along the stone floor.
His face is smooth porcelain with sharp features.
And his eyes—his eyes are a light blue that chills me to the bone.
His pale blonde hair falls straight below his shoulders, half of which is pulled back into a high bun atop his head.
He stops a few feet from where Caelum and I stand in the center of the room.
Caelum straightens, and while Lord Arc doesn’t reach his height, he’s still tall.
He’s leaner with long legs. Beneath his clothing lurks a powerful, curated form.
He reaches out his hand to me in greeting, and I notice his equally lengthy fingers.
I eye him before I realize he read my thoughts. Fuck. I immediately slam up my mental shield and force myself to look into his piercing eyes. I grip his hand, a shock shooting up my arm.
“Please don’t invade my mind,” I say, forcing a fake smile.
He grins, tapping his temple. “My apologies. Although, I see you’ve had some training.”
I glare at him, pulling my hand away.
“I’m Lord Arc, and I appreciate you traveling all this way to meet with me. I believe we have much to discuss.”
“I had little choice.” I cross my arms over my chest.
Without taking his eyes off me, he speaks to Caelum. “Thank you, Caelum. You may leave us. Fetch Vespera, as I’m sure our guest would like to see her room after such a long journey.”
Caelum nods and strides away, disappearing through another doorway.
“What I would like is to see my friend.”
Lord Arc raises his eyebrows. “Ah yes, the fiery Miss Camryn. How delighted she will be to see you. I’m sure you have quite the story to tell.”
“Take me to her. Now,” I demand, my eyes unwavering from his.
“You’ve had a long journey. I’m sure you are hungry. Vespera will show you to your room where you can bathe and dress for dinner. We will have a feast for our guest of honor, and you can see Miss Camryn then.'“
I want to argue, but Lord Arc’s eyes shift to something behind me, and I whirl to see a fae female standing a few feet from me. I immediately notice the iridescent sheen to her green skin, like Moira’s. A sprite. But instead of locks of golden curls, this female has a blunt bob of bright red hair.
The sprite smiles faintly at me, and my demeanor softens. She is petite and has gossamer wings tucked delicately behind her back. She’s wearing a long, high-collared silver gown that covers her from head to toe, leaving only her arms bare.
Behind me, Lord Arc clears his throat, dislodging my focus from the sprite. “Miss Aurora, this is Vespera. She will take care of anything you need while you are here.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say politely to the wisp of a woman.
She smiles back at me but doesn’t speak. Awkward silence lingers for a moment.
“Unfortunately, Vespera had an incident some time ago and can no longer speak. If she wishes to communicate with you, she will do so in writing or with the assistance of Caelum, who has the gift of The Listening as I do.”
The female’s grin slides from her face, and I glance at Lord Arc wide eyed before returning my gaze to Vespera and nodding. Satisfied with our introduction, she turns on her heels and leads me out of the room through another doorway.
As I exit the hall, I look over my shoulder to meet Lord Arc’s icy gaze. We round the corner out of sight and I shiver. I don’t know what I have walked into, but something tells me this is going to change the trajectory of my life as I know it in Silverveil.