Chapter 30
Reign
Getting to have Amaya come along to the Infinite Sea Territories is a much-needed comfort. Besides needing her as a buffer between me and Damien, it’s too soon for us to be separated again.
“You two ready?” Ryder asks when he shows up outside of Amaya’s room.
“We’re good to go!” Amaya grabs her bag and hands me mine.
“Perfect. I’ve already dropped Damien off, so it’s just you guys left.”
He wraps an arm around both of us as we tightly cling to him. A breath later, the four of us are standing in an open room with polished gold accents and white marble floors that remind me of the palace in Strellesia.
“Welcome to Zentria,” a voice bellows behind us.
We turn to find three identical men strolling towards us.
If it weren’t for the different-colored robes they wear, I wouldn’t be able to tell them apart.
Every feature, from their shiny, bald heads to their flawless, glowing skin and sharp jawlines, is a perfect replica of the one standing next to them.
The one in the middle, wearing the crisp white robe, steps forward to shake each of our hands while the other two stop a few feet away.
“Thank you for having us,” Ryder says in a formal tone I’m not used to hearing. “This is Reign and Amaya,” he motions to us, and we both offer a slight bow. “And of course, you’re already familiar with Damien.
“It’s a pleasure,” he nods. “I’m Ion. This is Nio.” He turns to the one standing to his right dressed in navy blue. “And this is Zaro,” he adds, waving to the other, who dons a finely stitched gold robe.
I don’t know what I expected this place, or its people to be like, but they’re far more regal than I would’ve imagined.
The way they move is smooth and effortless.
Even the way they walk is almost like they’re floating, and despite being almost the same height as Amaya, they have a way about them that exudes power and confidence.
The man who goes by Ion tells us to take a seat while two people come and take our bags. I shift in the cushioned, white seat uncomfortably as the three leaders stare back at us from their own chairs. Amaya offers me a quick half-smile, but I can tell she’s just as anxious as I am.
“So,” the man in blue begins. “You’ve decided to dethrone your father?”
Everyone’s attention turns to Ryder, who is sitting back looking cool and collected. “He’ll never give up the throne alive. I have no intention of simply claiming his throne for myself. The Shadow Lands are my home and where I wish to stay.”
I whirl around to Amaya, who only shrugs. Ryder and I hadn’t really talked about what happens if our side wins. I would’ve assumed that he would take his place in the kingdom. Someone has to rule the realms from within. If it’s not going to be him, then who?
“Why not just keep to the Shadow Lands? Why start a war?” Ion questions.
“Because, despite the Shadow Lands being my home now, the Great Six Realms are still my responsibility. They’re the home of my people, and I won’t abandon them.
” Ryder leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
“With that being said, I’ll need someone I trust to rule the realms as my representative.
Of course, I still plan to visit and will claim a second home in Strellesia, but I’ll need someone there full time. ”
This seems to pique their interest. “Is that what you’re offering for our allegiance, King Cimmerian?” the one in gold inquires.
“Ryder works just fine. I don’t wish to be associated with my father.” The three men nod in unison in a way that is slightly creepy. “But yes, it is what I’m offering if I feel this visit goes well.”
“And what makes you think we want to rule more lands?” the one in navy, who I think goes by Nio, counters.
“If you don’t, then perhaps there’s something else I can offer you. I supposed that’s what this visit is for. Whatever deal we come to should be mutually beneficial, don’t you think?”
For some reason, hearing Ryder handle himself in this way is surprising.
He’s matter of fact, but considerate. He wears a demeanor that tells everyone around him to proceed with caution, all while making people feel like their voice can be heard.
He walks a fine line, but he does it well, and the three leaders seem to appreciate it.
“Very well,” Ion says as he stands up, leading us all to do the same.
“We’ll have plenty of time to discuss details later.
For now, I wish us all to get to know one another.
” He turns, calling the two people who took our things forward.
“This is Bex and Mason. They’ll show you to your rooms. Whatever you need, they can get for you.
We’ll reconvene in an hour for dinner in the Grand Hall. ”
“We look forward to it.”
The four of us follow Bex and Mason up three flights of marble stairs.
They show us each to our rooms where outfits are waiting for us to change into.
Before they leave us to it, they ask if there’s anything else they can get us.
The meeting may have put me on edge a little, but Bex and Mason’s warm welcome has me relaxing a bit.
Ryder and Damien slip off to their rooms while Amaya joins me in mine. We get so caught up in talking about it all that the hour seems to pass by all too quickly. Once we notice the time, we hurry up and put our dresses on.
“Wow! I haven’t worn anything like this since the Nightfall celebrations,” Amaya says as she admires her outfit in the large, floor-length mirror.
“You look incredible!” I compliment as I take in the beautifully crafted gown made of thousands of pearls, which contrast her skin in a way that is simply mesmerizing.
“If only Zane were here to see me in it,” she sighs.
“If he were, I’m sure his jaw would be on the floor,” I offer with a cheeky grin.
She’s told me how hard it’s been being away from him, and knowing that he’s at the Sector doesn’t make it any better.
I remember what it felt like when I thought Damien was gone on a mission.
It’s hard enough knowing Zane is in enemy territory, I can only imagine how much worse it must be not having contact with him.
I hate that she’s hurting, but the best thing I can do right now is just be there for her like she has always been there for me.
“Damn right!” she adds, pinning a few loose pieces of my hair into the high messy bun she’s perfected on me over the years. “Now, let’s take a look at you.”
She spins me around to look in the mirror, and I can’t deny how pretty I feel in the dress made of dazzling gems that look like diamonds. One after the other, they cascade down the sweetheart bodice until they touch the floor.
“Oh, the boys are going to drop dead when they see you in this.”
“Damien maybe… Ryder, definitely not.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” she says with a sly smile.
“Why would you say that?”
She shrugs, and a knock at the door cuts the conversation short. Amaya opens the door to find both Damien and Ryder waiting for us.
“Wow. You boys don’t look half bad,” she says, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed.
“You clean up pretty well yourself,” I hear Ryder reply from the hallway.
I finish putting on the heels that are almost too skinny for me to walk in and slowly make my way to the door. When I stop next to Amaya in the doorway, both men run their eyes down my body, taking in the details of my gown.
“You boys need a towel to wipe off the drool?”
My hand flies to my mouth in an attempt to hide the smile, but seeing the two of them straighten in response to being called out by my best friend has me internally fighting back laughter.
“We should go. We wouldn’t want to be late.” I turn around and shut my bedroom door while the others start to make their way to the stairs.
“Did you see their faces?” Amaya giggles quietly beside me.
“Stop it. I’m trying to keep it together.”
“Fine,” she sighs dramatically.
Even with her and the railing’s support, every step feels like I’m going to tumble to my death. Once we finally reach the bottom, I exhale a deep breath, releasing the stress from my body.
“You all look wonderful!” Ion chimes when he and the others come sweeping around the corner to greet us.
Each of them is still wearing robes, but unlike the cotton ones decorated with threaded patterns from earlier, these are lined with stunning gems still coordinating with each of their designated colors, which I realize must have some sort of meaning to them.
Standing behind Damien and Ryder, I’m now able to get a better look at their suits.
Damien’s is a forest green with emeralds that match the color of my eyes, and Ryder’s is a dark plum color that has its own set of gems to match.
I think this might be the first time I’ve seen him in a color other than black and, of course, he pulls it off just fine.
In fact, it’s almost annoying how handsome the two of them are.
Bouncing my eyes back and forth between the two of them, I have to admit it’s the vision of every girl’s fantasy.
“Shall we?” Zaro insists, pulling me from my runaway thoughts.
We follow the three of them to the Grand Hall, where a round, crystal table is decorated with bouquets of cherry blossoms. As we each take a seat, Amaya on my left and Ryder to my right, I notice an empty chair beside Damien.
“We thought someone else should join us.”
As if on cue, a staggeringly beautiful woman comes waltzing into the room.
Everything about her is elegant and refined.
If the boys thought Amaya and I cleaned up nicely, they certainly must be blown away by her.
I mean, Damien’s eyes are about to fall out of his head just looking at her, and I have to push down the tinge of jealousy clutching my heart watching it.
“Damien,” she says in a voice so angelic it almost sounds like she sang it.
“Danielle.”
He shoots up from his seat at the table and runs over to her. She wraps her arms around his neck as he picks her up and spins her.