Oliver’s eyes narrowed. “Which is a perfectly acceptable reason to hate a man.”
I made a sound in the back of my throat. I didn’t want to play this game. If I wanted to hate Arrick— dragon’s blood! If I wanted to hate Taelon, I could.
The wagon rumbled to a stop. The sounds of horses galloping over rough road ceased, replaced with shouted orders and the great creaking of wood and the clanking of chains.
When the wagon began moving again, Oliver jumped to his feet in an attempt to peer through the tiny window. “I can’t see anything!” he complained. “Oh, wait. Is that… It’s so dark out. Is that a moat? Ooh torches! We’ve reached the castle.”
The wagon lurched and threw Oliver against the door. He picked himself off the floor with a curse.
When he sat down again, he tried to hide his excitement. “I’ve never been in a palace before.”
I yawned.
“It’s like you announced you’re royalty and now I have to suffer your spoiled temperament. Your foul mood is ruining this adventure for me.”
I decided now was not the time to bring up the wildebeest, the fire, or being chased through the woods. “I apologize,” I’d meant to sound snide, but the words came out honest. “I’m just… I’m just… I cannot believe we were together for weeks and he said not one word! The man is abominable.”
“But he—”
“And now we are all but prisoners to the king of Soravale. Hugo could take this crown if he wanted. He could move the Seat of Power to Soravale and hand it to his son. And what could I do about it? Nothing. Nothing but rot in the dungeons next to murderers and thieves.”
“Tessana, enough!” Oliver snapped. “I’ve had enough. You do not have to like Arrick. You do not even have to speak to him again. But enough of this. The Crown of One Hundred Kings is not a toy that can be passed around to any monarchy lucky enough to snatch it up. You know that. Stop acting like a bratty child.”
I tried to glare at him, but his twitching smile ruined it. “I’m happy you’re here,” I told him. “I would probably stab someone very important if it weren’t for you.”
He winked at me. “I’m happy I’m here too. Nobody wants to go to war just because a pampered princess feels a bit stabby.”
When the wagon jerked to a stop the second time, we were both in a fit of laughter. The door opened, flooding our dim space with the deep blue of night. Haemon and Taelon stood together with matching looks of curiosity on their faces. They had not expected us to be in such good moods.
Haemon swept a low bow, “We have arrived, Your Highness.”
Oliver shot a warning look at me before jumping to his feet. “Fantastic news.”
Both men looked aggravated when Oliver tried to move from the wagon. Taelon had to clear his throat and gesture toward me before Oliver took the hint.
Already annoyed with propriety, I cradled Shiksa and stood up slowly, brushing cold fingers over my travel-worn clothes. I wanted nothing more than a bath and an actual bed to sleep in tonight, but first I would have to play nice with the king and queen.
I moved carefully toward the back of the wagon. Taelon held out his hand for me to take, but I ignored him. Placing a hand on Haemon’s shoulder, I stepped down from the wagon and faced Taelon’s childhood home.
The Soravalian palace was located on the great cliffs of the Crystal Sea. I could hear the crashing of waves in the distance, and the wind carried its briny scent. The air glittered with salt.
The palace itself was luminescent in the night, made from the shimmering silver stones found in the depths of the Crystal Sea. It pulled in the milky moonlight, creating a soft glow that stood out against the tall limestone walls surrounding it.
A carpet had been laid out to lead us to the arced entrance. Soravalian guards lined either side, standing at perfect attention. Still, their gaze drifted to me as Taelon led the way inside.
The crown stayed tucked in my satchel with Shiksa. I pressed my hands to my side to hide trembling nerves. Oliver trailed behind me, and Haemon behind him. We made a bedraggled, curious parade.
Inside, the palace opened up to reveal elegant hallways and ornate decor. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling lit with golden candlelight and dripping sapphires. Tapestries on the wall boasted the Soravale coat of arms in rich blues and royal silvers. Guards were stationed everywhere, holding spears and wearing helmets that sat low over their eyes. They stood so still, they looked like toys. I had the impulse to see if I could tip one over with a touch of my finger.
“This way, Your Highness,” Taelon’s voice pulled me from my dangerous imagination. “The king and queen await you.”
I momentarily forgot my vow of silence. “They know I’m here?”
He held my gaze. “We sent a rider ahead.”
I cleared my throat while fresh nerves assaulted my stomach. “Of course.”
“Tess, I tried to spare you from this. I—”
“Let’s not keep your parents waiting, Your Majesty. It is already the middle of the night.”
His mouth pulled into a harsh slash, but he acquiesced and turned around.
We walked past statues made in the image of King Hugo and Queen Anatal. Tapestries of the royal family, including Taelon and his younger brothers and sister adorned the walls.
Taelon’s siblings resembled their Vorestran mother, with light hair and tanned skin. Unlike Taelon, who only inherited his eyes from his mother’s side. In every other way he was like his father. Dark hair, muscled frame, strong chin.
The throne room loomed ahead. The carpet extended down the hallway and through the doors of the Great Hall.
We paused just outside, waiting to be announced.
Taelon leaned in, his heat covering my side. “Do you remember what to do, Princess?”
I closed my eyes as memories filled my head of the only
