I turned to see the majestic creature still watching me. There was something about him that was comforting, and I moved forward. The manticore must have been startled, because he stood up and started walking away.
I watched his furry, gold body move slowly toward the darkness of the trees, his lethal tail swishing behind him. He stopped once and turned to look at me before spreading his great, leathery wings and flying off into the shadows of the vast mountain range.
I let out a deep breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding. “Where did that creature come from?” I got onto Snow’s back, this time with the help of a rock that I used as a mounting block. For the first time, I realized how inconvenient it was riding in a dress, as my legs were exposed, but I figured it was really not the time or the place for modesty and settled myself between the pegasus’s powerful wings.
“The manticore is an ancient fae creature,” Snow explained. “There are not many left, especially in these parts, but they have been seen in these mountains before. They are born of fae magic, so it could sense who you were and came to help.”
I wondered what other creatures lived in these mountains, but I didn’t want to stick around and find out. I concentrated on holding on as Snow cantered across the open space, spread out her massive wings, and soared into the air.
We flew over the Cascade Mountains toward Eldoren and Silverthorne Castle. I could not believe what I was doing: riding a magical winged horse, running from the mysterious Shadow Guard, becoming friends with the fae, meeting manticores in the forest, and heading toward a family I had never met before. How my life had changed. But I had to admit I was apprehensive. What if they didn’t like me? What if they didn’t want to help me? What if . . . ?
My thoughts were cut short as the sun rose over the mountains to the east, and I watched the magical land of Avalonia stretch out before me as far as the eye could see. We glided over the Cascade Mountains, which marked the boundary between the kingdoms of Illiador and Eldoren, and I was immediately mesmerized.
The land ahead was covered in wild, lush green grass. Sprays of delicate, lavender-pink blooms, yellow blossoms in lemon and gold, and fiery-red clusters of wildflowers undulated down into the waiting meadows of the valley beyond. It was the most wonderful sight I had ever seen as the sky turned a gleaming gold, throwing its warm glow on everything it touched. Rolling hills with vibrant fields and pastures, working farms, massive estates, and small villages speckled the countryside. To the right was an emerald green wood, which stretched out to the hills beyond.
In the center of the valley stood what looked like a little hill. At the very top was a magnificent castle, its tall towers glistening in the sunlight as they stretched effortlessly toward the sky. Pristine white flags, each decorated with a single bluebell, fluttered from the castle turrets. Around it, a huge, walled town sloped down the hill in concentric circles and spread out into the valley below. Sunlight glinted off the tops of the tallest trees of the forest, and the whole valley was bathed in its warm blanket.
“This is Fairlone,” said Snow in my mind as we flew over the large bustling town with broad cobbled streets and paved paths. A great wall surrounded it, with four massive wooden gates and fortified gate towers. “This whole valley belongs to the Duke of Silverthorne.”
The inner town was highly protected by another wall that ran in a circle around the castle. We flew around the castle and the town once, and no one looked up, which was a relief, since I was quite sure that even here, a pegasus was a rare creature.
As we glided closer to the magnificent castle on the top of the hill, I glanced down to see wide stone archways, whitewashed buildings, and large, well-kept houses lining the cobblestone streets. Elegant shops and colorful street sellers brightened the main avenue. The buildings were big and ornate with tiled roofs and brightly colored walls.
It was morning, and well-dressed people bustled around fancy shops going about their everyday errands. The men were smartly attired in well-tailored doublets and hose, wearing richly bordered, thick cloaks that swirled about them as they walked. Many wore swords on their belts and some rode on prancing horses. The women were dressed in beautiful silks and plush velvet, opulently embroidered dresses, hooded mantles, and luxurious cloaks. Some were driven about in small, one-horse open carriages.
We flew out of the sky and descended into the stone courtyard of Silverthorne Castle.
I was still a little disoriented after my long flight on Snow’s back as I looked around. The castle was massive and full of activity. The guards spotted us as soon as we landed in the center of their castle courtyard and sounded the alarm. Within seconds, numerous soldiers surrounded us, pointing sharp, gleaming spears in my face.
The Duke
Archers had posted themselves at regular intervals on the castle walls, and all the arrows were pointing right at me.
I pushed my shoulders back and tried to sound like I knew what I was doing. “I want to meet the Duke of Silverthorne.”
“So does half the kingdom,” said a guard with flaming red hair.
“And the other half is plotting his downfall,” said another.
“What’s your business here?” the red-haired guard growled, still pointing his spear at me.
“Um,” I hesitated. “Tell him . . . tell him that his niece is here.” What else could I say? How was I supposed to explain myself?
The guard shook his head, not believing my story for a second. “The duke doesn’t have a niece.”
A booming voice sounded across the courtyard. “What is all this commotion about?”
The guards
