28. Chapter Twenty-Eight #2
I open the left wooden door leading into what will be her room.
Inside there is a large open space in which she can dance if desired.
The furniture is mainly against the wall for this reason, and a closet holds all the gowns and other clothing I had commissioned for her.
The attached bathroom has a large walk-in bath and a golden toilet and sink.
There’s a large shower with two spouts and sitting areas positioned at different heights.
I point to the blue floor. “It’s made of the same material as your ballroom at home.
The builders said it’s optimal for dancing and is the same as in the ballroom I had constructed here for you.
There is something new here that I believe you will love.
” I open a cabinet that is next to the bathroom door to reveal a large silver box with flowers etched into its silver.
It reaches the perfect height to easily touch the buttons at the top.
“This plays music. It’s like having a dozen music boxes at your fingertips.
I would have gotten you a live orchestra, but I know you prefer to dance alone when not performing. ”
She touches the buttons at the top of the large, vertical rectangle. It lights up blue, and she quickly figures out how to select songs from it. “This is amazing, Lazzus!”
“There are two more here for you since they are too large to move. One in the ballroom and one outside. You can see it from the window. The mages who created it insisted that the weather would not harm it.”
“You put one outside?”
I use the red ropes to pull open the curtains across the enormous window that takes over the entire back wall by her bed. “This is the entire reason I placed the castle here.”
Her eyes widen as she slowly approaches the view. “The ocean. It’s the actual ocean.”
“Yes, and it is all yours.”
She blinks and tears trickle out. “It’s so beautiful.”
“I promised we would go one day, and the mirror realm wasn’t enough to keep my promise.”
“You built me a castle next to a real one.”
“Yes, your happiness is everything to me, and this entire place is yours to escape to if you need.”
“You’ll let me go here whenever I want.”
“As long as there is adequate protection, yes.”
She touches the glass and watches the waves roll onto the white sand. “This is the most amazing thing anyone has ever given me.”
“You deserve it. After everything I’ve put you through.”
“This is a pretty grand apology, Lazzus.”
“Not grand enough.”
“If you are sorry, that means you’ve changed and will let me go if I want.”
I stiffen and clench my fists. “Why would you want to leave?”
She studies me for a moment. “That’s what I thought. I’m still your prisoner, and if I left, you’d only drag me back.”
“Isn’t your own castle by the ocean enough? Isn’t everything I’ve given you enough?”
“It’s all lovely. Thank you.” She rushes into the bathroom and shuts me out.
The Hermit King, Dinivan, arrives the next morning after we arrive. He’s a burly man with dark curly hair and a beard. He stands much taller than the average human and has a large, hooked nose.
“King Lazzus! It’s great to see you again! How did your lady like the castle?” He wraps me in a hug and picks me off the ground, as I learn is a common greeting for him.
It took me by surprise the first time I met him because I’d expected him to be as reclusive as his title implies.
It turned out he only wishes to stay out of war, and I used that to make a deal with him for the ocean land he gave me.
The protections I provided will help keep his people from involvement in the affairs of other kingdoms.
“She loves all of it. Thank you for offering me the perfect land for her. The ocean was the selling point.”
“I have so much ocean land it was a small sacrifice for the protection you helped place around the rest of my kingdom. I’m very pleased with the bargain.
” He turns around and helps his wife down from her white unicorn.
She is nearly as tall as he is, but thin with golden hair and large blue eyes. “You remember my woman, CiCi?”
I bow and kiss her offered hand. “Yes, it is an honor to see you again.”
She fans herself with a blue fan. “I’m looking forward to meeting your wife, King Lazzus. Where might she be?”
“She is going to join us for brunch in the dining hall. If you’ll follow me.” I lead them into the castle and into where my servants have prepared a feast with dishes both from my realm and theirs.
Foods of all kinds are spread across a large wooden table that could easily seat twenty-five people. The chairs are cushioned and covered in silk for optimal comfort.
Evelia enters through a door at the back of the room. Her red gown flows behind her and matches her crown well. Her entire life she trained for the queen she would one day be, and it shows in every step she takes to my side.
She curtsies to the Hermit King and CiCi. “It is splendid to meet you. Thank you for joining us for brunch.”
“We are thrilled to be here!” CiCi throws her arms around Evelia. “You and I will have to sneak away at some point and leave the men to their business.”
Evelia returns her hug. “Sounds like a wonderful plan.”
We take our seats, and servants hurry over to fill our golden goblets with the wine each of us selects.
Dinivan discusses the summit and what to expect when we head there tomorrow. “I’m hopeful peace can be met. Both King Sarek and Queen Zantara sound like they finally want peace. This will be a wonderful start to prosperous lands for us all.”
I set my goblet down and pass the butter to Evelia. “Yes, that is the hope. It will create a better realm for all.”
After we finish the meal, the women leave to chat about whatever it is women like to speak on. I remain with the king, and he explains unicorn care to me, which is clearly his passion. We take a walk to the stables, and I show him the one Evelia wants.
He leads the animal out of its stall. “This is an excellent choice. This breed is seen as guardians and extremely loyal to their riders. Exquisite to look at.”
“It will be safe for her to ride?”
“Yes, fully.” He climbs onto its back with no saddle and demonstrates the speed of the unicorn. “They are excellent across many different types of terrain, even sand and mountains.”
“Good. Which would you recommend for me?”
“The black stallion I gave you would work well for you. They are heat resistant, which is good for the temper you are often known for.” He laughs, an overly jolly sound. “Your reputation as a fire sprite made me reluctant to speak with you at first, but you’re no fire sprite, are you?”
“No, I am not.”
He shrugs. “I’m not one to judge unless it affects my people. Let’s meet your personal unicorn.” He removes the stallion from its pen and tells me how to get on its back.
Even though I could float onto his back, I don’t tell him that. “No saddles?”
“Unicorns don’t like them, and they are great at keeping riders on their backs.”
I climb on and enjoy the speed the beast is able to reach. It feels similar to flying and is an enjoyable experience.