Chapter 20
Aella
We stepped through the portal onto a small island.
Except for a gravel path leading to the wooden dock, olive simulche grass covered the rest of the ground around the large ring.
It was a hardy type of vegetation that could handle heavy trampling, but it would only grow near water sources, which was why I guessed they chose it for use here.
The mid-morning light cast a sparkle across the blue water surrounding us, only subdued by a light fog slowly lifting as the day warmed.
Across the way, on another piece of land, I could just make out beautiful gardens filled with colorful fall flowers, shrubberies, and trees, as well as gravel paths between them.
I couldn’t help feeling a little enchanted despite my trepidation in coming here.
The city had a unique vibrancy that called to me.
My senses also noted the numerous creatures swimming within the lake.
Darrow had assured me they couldn’t reach us with the wards set to protect the ground.
Still, with all the danger Zadrya faced, I appreciated that anyone stupid enough to attack this city wouldn’t find the water beasts guarding it very welcoming.
The Frostdar had already loaded onto two long boats and begun sailing away.
Jax and Loden took the horses to another craft designed for transporting cattle and would stay with our mounts during the journey to Crystal Castle.
That left the prince, princess, their personal guards, Lord Hartoll, Hadrien, Rynn, me, and Darrow to fill the final boat pulling up for us. We were underway ten minutes later.
After passing the garden island, there was another, larger one on the right, which Darrow explained was the military training area. Various races of fae were out with their weapons practicing, but they looked up as we passed and bowed as they saw who was on our boat.
To our left, I spotted a large, open market crowded with a variety of wares and fae shoppers.
Those who noticed us did the same as the soldiers, stopping to pay their respects to the passing prince and princess.
Perhaps they’d been warned because both elves appeared rather drab at the moment and lacked the usual court finery and crowns.
After that, we passed an island with rows of brown-colored barracks on our right and quaint two-story housing on our left, all constructed with wood and painted in pastel colors. Everything was immaculately clean and organized, with perfectly cut grass and small, well-maintained gardens.
Then I turned my gaze forward as the fog cleared and Crystal Castle came into view.
It was massive and imposing despite its glimmering surface, projecting strength and intimidation.
Red banners with Veronna’s coat of arms—two crossed swords with a snake around them—billowed visibly from the top.
I’d always been taught to be afraid when I saw those, so it was hard to believe I was welcome now.
Darrow kept saying I was one of them, but I definitely didn’t feel it yet.
Would I ever? It didn’t matter if the law stated I was Veronnian when I still seemed like an intruder.
The stone walls surrounding the castle were distorted enough on the inside that I couldn’t see through them clearly, but I could make out the shapes of buildings as well as people moving within the keep.
That didn’t interest me at the moment, though.
It was the open gates just beyond the dock with Lord Gannon standing there that concerned me.
He had a retinue of fae beside him, along with Darrow’s older brother, Hagon.
Though I’d seen him across the battlefield several times and in passing at Ivory Castle after he’d helped Darrow rescue me, I’d yet to speak to him in person.
He had killed my brother when I was only a kid, which I couldn’t let go of, despite his recent assistance.
As our boat glided up to the dock opposite the one with the horses being offloaded, I clenched my fists.
How was I going to get through this? How could I live in a place with those murderers in charge?
They outranked me, so they could order me around and even make my life miserable if they wished.
My uncle had drilled it into me to be obedient and submissive.
Of course, I’d found ways around it, but not overtly.
I didn’t know how I could show Darrow’s father and brother any respect.
If not for Karganoth invading, I would have gladly stayed in Porrine and avoided this city forever despite my curiosity about it.
Wanting to see what it looked like was far different than taking up residence here.
I began to hyperventilate as panic rose within me.
I wanted to run, but I was on a damned boat.
There was nowhere else to go except to the hungry creatures in the water.
How bad would it be to die by getting chewed to death?
Darrow took my hand and squeezed it. Do not panic. I’m here, and no harm will come to you, Aella.
Maybe not physically, but mentally, I don’t think I can handle meeting men who killed my family, I replied, attempting to draw air into my lungs.
Take it one step at a time.
One step? This feels more like a massive leap!
Darrow chuckled. I meant step out of the boat.
Oh. I looked down at the dock next to our craft. Right.
We were the last ones still on board, so I reluctantly climbed out with Darrow’s help.
The others had gone ahead to our welcoming party, where Lord Gannon graciously greeted the royals.
As we moved to the back of the line, I instructed Rynn to stay by my side.
She didn’t appear anywhere near as nervous as I felt, but rather mesmerized by the shiny crystal walls towering over us.
A guard at the top leaned over and waved at her. She returned the gesture.
“This is so amazing, Aella,” she said, smiling widely. “I can’t believe we get to live here.”
Oh, how being young and naive again would be such a blessing right now. My only consolation was that my cousin might have a chance to be happy and safe here, which was the most important thing. I could find a way to suffer in Darynia for her sake and not throw myself into the lake.
I pasted a pleasant expression onto my face. “I’m glad you like it, Rynn.”
If she could be brave while entering our sworn enemies' home, how could I not? Deep within my soul, I knew Darrow would never let them do the horrible things to me that my own family did. The shock on his and his sister’s faces when they saw my scars told me it wasn’t normal, or something they had endured here.
Karganoth was a different story, but even that had only been for a select number of years with a purpose, albeit a dark one.
Darrow put an arm around my waist. Be yourself, Aella. They will learn to appreciate you the way you are, or I will make them.
You can’t fight your family over me, I replied, shooting him a look.
He lifted his brows. You doubt me? I would fight the gods if they tried to harm you.
Don’t be ridiculous.
I’m telling you the truth, dear wife.
We took a few steps forward as the prince and the royal guards passed through the gates.
Servants would assign them rooms where they could freshen themselves before lunch.
Next, the princess, her husband, and their daughter spoke to Lord Gannon, and my heart rate picked up.
I didn’t want to talk to him or his eldest son.
Maybe I could faint and stay passed out until Darrow carried me to our room.
That wouldn’t be extreme, would it? That’s more or less how I came into the castle last time.
He took one look at my face and sighed. You were never this nervous with me.
Perhaps on some level, I knew you were my mate and that you wouldn’t really hurt me.
They are aware you’re my mate and won’t touch you. You’ll be fine.
If by “fine” you mean that if he says one thing I don’t like, I might blow us all off this island to swim with the slimy creatures, then you’d be right. Too much had changed too fast. Can’t you take me to one of the houses we saw along the way?
Darrow drew me into him. No. We must do this, whether we like it or not. You are now Veronnian and must face it.
I hate you. It is all your fault for coming up with the idea of marriage when we could have continued just the way we had before, trying to kill each other, I said, scowling at him.
Amusement sparkled in his gray eyes. Before I could say anything more, he leaned down and kissed me.
Like always, once his lips were on mine, I forgot everything.
I barely heard Rynn let out a martyred sigh.
Darrow’s tongue danced with mine until all I wanted to do was find the nearest bed and tie him to it.
Unfortunately, a booming voice interrupted us.
“Son, would you be so kind as to introduce me to your wife? It would be nice to meet her when she’s awake and able to form words—if you haven’t swallowed her tongue, that is,” Lord Gannon said in a dry tone.
I pulled away, promising myself that I would not be embarrassed about kissing his son. If anything, it made me more confident to face him. Darrow was at my side and not his. I strode forward with my right arm looped through my husband’s and my left hand holding Rynn’s. We stopped five feet away.
“My tongue is quite intact,” I assured him, making the smallest curtsy possible while wearing my Andalagar animal skin pants and tunic that fit me like a glove. It had been my choice of battle armor for this meeting. “I appreciate the invitation to stay at your lovely castle and city, Lord Gannon.”
There. I’d managed to sound civil.
He dipped his chin. “I won’t pretend any of us had a choice in the matter, but you are welcome here. We will learn to make the best of it, and perhaps find common ground by focusing on saving our land.”
I couldn’t argue with that point. “Agreed.”