Chapter 12
Andrew hadn’t expected to go higher.
When the sisters led him away from Ayla’s quarters, he assumed they would take him deeper into the city, somewhere more central. Instead, the paths narrowed, then curved upward, winding around the massive trunk of one of the oldest trees he had seen since arriving.
The air grew thinner and cooler. And the surroundings grew quieter.
By the time they reached a platform, Andrew slowed on his own.
A basket waited there. It looked similar to the one used for the baths, but larger, reinforced with thicker ropes and heavier wooden supports. It hung at the edge of the platform, suspended over open space, swaying gently in the early morning breeze.
Andrew stared at it, then at the drop below.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered.
One of the higher sisters stepped inside. Another gestured for him to follow.
“This leads to the chambers,” she said.
Andrew glanced past them, instinctively looking for any other way up. There wasn’t one. “Right,” he said as he stepped inside.
The moment all of them were in, the mechanism engaged. The ropes tightened, and the basket began to rise.
Andrew felt the shift in his stomach as the floor beneath him moved upward, the platform below pulling away with every passing second. The city shrank beneath them, the layered walkways and structures becoming smaller, less defined as they ascended through the upper canopy.
He forced himself not to grip the sides this time. Barely.
“This is how you keep people out, I’m guessing,” he said, glancing at the sister nearest to him.
She stared at him for a moment. “Only those permitted may reach the chambers.”
Andrew let out a quiet breath and looked forward again.
The ascent continued, the branches thinning as more light broke through. Wind moved more freely here, brushing against his skin, carrying the scent of leaves and fresh air.
The basket slowed. The ropes slackened when it stopped.
They had arrived.
Andrew stepped out carefully, his bare feet meeting smooth wood once more. For a second, he didn’t move, his body still adjusting to the height, to the sense of open space around him. Being in only his boxers, he did feel a bit cold, and a chill went through him.
Then he looked up. The entrance was unlike anything else in the city.
It wasn’t a doorway in the traditional sense.
The structure here was more enclosed than what he had seen before—carved deep into the gigantic tree trunk, the opening framed by thick, curved wood that formed a natural arch.
Soft, layered fabric hung from above, partially shielding the interior, swaying gently in the wind.
It felt private and secluded. Deliberately removed from everywhere else.
“This is the only way in?” Andrew asked.
“Yes,” the nearest sister said as she walked on.
Andrew nodded slowly, and stepped inside.
For a brief moment, the space narrowed, enclosing him in warm, filtered light as he passed through the carved interior. The air shifted, as if the tree was holding the space within.
And then, all opened up.
Andrew stopped and stared, his breath catching in his chest.
The space stretched out before him, vast and breathtaking in a way he hadn’t prepared for. The enclosed entrance gave way to an open terrace carved into the tree itself, extending outward into nothing but sky and forest.
Sunlight flooded the space, warm and golden now, spilling across polished wood and soft fabrics arranged in wide, inviting shapes. Low beds and cushioned platforms were spread throughout, layered with textiles that looked both handcrafted and comfortable.
Greenery wove through everything. Vines curled along the edges of the structure, flowering plants adding subtle color. A narrow stream ran along one side, its gentle movement catching the light as it flowed.
And beyond it all was the almighty view.
Endless forest stretched in every direction, a sea of green rolling beneath them. Mist lingered in the distance, drifting slowly through the valleys, while birds moved through the open air at eye level, gliding effortlessly between branches.
Andrew took a step forward without realizing it. “Wow,” he said quietly.
“You will stay here,” one of the sisters said. “The main caretaker will meet us in a moment and show you to your private quarters.”
Andrew let out a slow breath, his gaze still fixed on the horizon. “Yeah,” he replied.
He turned back toward them, about to ask something—but movement caught his attention.
From within the space, a woman approached.
She stepped into view slowly, her posture straight but not rigid, her movements careful, as if she was aware of every step she took. Her eyes found him almost immediately, and Andrew felt something shift again.
She stopped a few steps away, studying him openly. She was clearly a bit older, maybe early forties, though it was hard to tell. Her white robes seemed to shine in the sunlight.
Andrew straightened slightly without thinking, suddenly aware of himself again—of where he was, of what this place meant.
The sisters stepped back, their presence fading into the edges of the space.
He expected them to take a stand behind him, but when he glanced over his shoulder, he noticed they had left.
It was just him and the woman.
She had her hands together, fingers woven into one another, and a faint smile rested on her lips. He now noticed strands of grey in her dark hair, further revealing her age.
“Andrew,” she said, her voice soft. “I have been expecting you.”
Andrew gave a nod. “That seems the theme around here with me.”
The woman let out a soft laugh. “Have been hearing that a lot lately?”
“Oh, only every hour or so,” Andrew said, surprised at the easy-going answer.
The woman’s smile deepened just slightly, as if she appreciated the response. “My name is Valeria,” she said. “I am the caretaker of these chambers. Everything you will need, every arrangement, every requirement, will pass through me.”
Andrew nodded slowly, glancing around once more before returning his attention to her. “So you’re in charge here?”
Valeria tilted her head a fraction. “You could say that.”
There was something about the way she carried herself. Not as imposing as the Queen, not as sharp as Trina; but controlled. Confident in a quieter way.
“Come,” she said, turning. “I will show you your quarters.”
Andrew followed.
They moved deeper into the chambers, though “deeper” felt like the wrong word. Nothing here felt enclosed. The space flowed rather than divided, sections naturally forming through shifts in elevation, curtains, and placement rather than walls.
As they walked, Andrew noticed more details. Low tables with carved patterns. Cushions arranged in deliberate groupings. Beds placed to face outward, toward the endless view. More streams winding through the structure, their soft sound constant and calming.
Everything felt like it was designed not just for use—but for experience.
“This place looks old,” Andrew mumbled.
“Oh, it is,” Valeria said as she walked onward. “It was already several hundreds of years old when our civilization moved in and made it our home.”
Andrew studied her as she walked. “And when was that exactly?”
Valeria shrugged. “Also hundreds of years ago.”
“And it has always been like this? Just, uhm, women?”
Valeria shook her head. “No. Not at first. It just became that way with time.”
Andrew frowned, wanting to ask her in more details, but she spoke before him.
“You will not always be at your private quarters,” Valeria said as they walked. “Much of your time will be spent in the main chambers. But when rest is required, you will return here.”
Andrew glanced at her. “Rest, huh?”
“It will be necessary,” she replied calmly.
Andrew huffed a quiet breath. “I’m starting to get that.”
They turned down a slightly narrower passage, partially shielded by hanging fabric that moved softly as they passed. The light shifted again, becoming a little more subdued, more personal.
Valeria stopped. “This is yours.”
Andrew stepped past her.
The space wasn’t large, but it didn’t need to be.
It opened outward immediately, like everything else here, giving way to a wide, unobstructed view of the forest below. The same endless canopy stretched into the distance, though from this angle it felt quieter, and indeed more secluded.
The room itself was simple, but carefully arranged.
A low bed, wide and layered with soft fabrics, positioned to face the open air.
A small seating area with cushions placed near the edge.
A carved wooden table with a few simple items set upon it.
Light curtains framed the space, able to close if needed, but currently left open to the morning breeze.
Andrew stepped further inside, taking it in. “Okay,” he said quietly. “This is actually really nice.”
Valeria watched him, her expression steady. “It is meant to restore you,” she said. “So I’m glad it meets your liking.”
Andrew glanced back at her. “Yeah.”
He moved toward the edge, stopping just short of it, looking out over the forest again. The height still made his stomach shift slightly, but less than before. He was starting to get used to it. Or at least telling himself he was.
Behind him, Valeria spoke again. “The Queen will visit you shortly.”
Andrew turned, surprised. He had expected her to come, just not that soon. “Already?”
“Yes.”
Nothing here seemed to wait.
Andrew nodded. “Good to know,” he said simply.
Valeria inclined her head slightly. “You may take a moment,” she said. “Get yourself ready.”
She stepped back toward the entrance. “I will return when she arrives.”
“Uhm,” Andrew started, and Valeria turned around. Andrew looked down at his boxers. “Do you happen to have any more clothes? I left in kind of a hurry.”
The woman smiled. “There’s no real need for that. There is a blanket if you feel cold.” Andrew tried to speak, but she continued, “Besides, the Queen prefers you without much on.”
That silenced him.
And just like that, she was gone.