Once we reached the path to the library, the busyness calmed to a serene, peaceful area. No crowds, no running children or shopkeepers calling. Arriving at the front, a valet man took the horses for us. I tossed him a gold coin and he grinned. “Wow, thank you, Lady.”
“You’re welcome,” I said and turned to Taz. “Shall we?”
“I’m ready.” We made our way through the high wooden front doors. The white marble floor shined like glass. Massive front windows showered the room in daylight and the foliage along the walls gave the place life.
“The portal is this way,” I said, nudging Taz’s arm who appeared to be lost in the delightful scenery.
We hurried down a long hallway where, at the end, the white archway holding the portal glowed. Two women in black uniforms stood guard. With their hair in tight braids and faces hard as stone, they didn’t look accommodating.
When we approached, the brown-skinned woman with sleek black hair stepped forward, “What may I do for you?”
“We need to use the portal,” I answered.
“Do you have permission?” the woman asked, folding her arms.
“Yes, I’m the niece of our King and Queen. I’m Legacy Dendar Exavior.”
The woman nodded and stepped to the side. “Welcome.”
The red-headed guard gestured to a shiny black square in the archway. “I presume you know how to use the portal?”
“I do, thank you.” I slipped a dagger from my boot, anxiety welling in my chest. I pressed my thumb against the tip until a bead of blood appeared. I didn’t know if the magic binding access to the portal would accept Legacy’s blood or if it would know it was truly mine. Only those with royal blood or those with permission could pass through.
When I smeared the scarlet on the onyx square, the portal activated with a swirling blurry motion. I loosed a relieved breath. When the blurring cleared, it revealed a room that looked very much like this one on the other side. I took a deep breath and we stepped through.
Chapter 3
With but two steps we traveled hundreds of miles and stood in Hesstia. It only took a moment for the portal to close and when it did, two men, Hesstian guards stood with spears crossed, blocking our path. Both had short coffee-colored hair and light brown skin. Their blue capes and white and gold uniforms pristine. “What brings you to Hesstia?”
With a smile, I said, “Personal business. Don’t worry we won’t be too long.”
The one on the right, a little shorter than the other said, “I’m going to need a little more information.”
I cleared my throat. “I don’t think so,” I said, striding forward. “My blood granted me access to the portal, therefore you have no authority to ask more of me. You already know we have permission to be here or we wouldn’t have been able to cross over.”
Both guards stood silent as if unsure that was true. “Very well,” one finally said. They parted and let us pass without another word.
Taz grinned at me, impressed but neither of us would risk talking until we got outside. We hurried through their library, not taking time to look at the details.
“I like this side of you, Vis.” He stuck out his chest. “Very commanding.”
“I’ve learned over the years if I don’t then people question me. Act like you’re in charge and people fall in line. It’s that way with anyone. Take notes, Taz.”
“Sure thing, oh great one.”
“Oh hush up with the ridiculous names.”
“Admit it, you think I’m funny.”
We stepped out of the front doors, and a heat wave rocked me. With the cooler, even if warm temperature back home, I hadn’t expected it. “You are right. You are funny sometimes. I can’t remember how many times I laughed when you tried to impress a girl.”
Taz’s mouth dropped but he recovered quickly. “Vis, the ladies love me. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I don’t know about ladies, maybe lady. Somehow you got Freya to fall for you.”
Taz tossed his head back and laughed.
The library sat on a small hill making it easy to overlook the city of Kezington. It resembled my own in size and building structure but it lacked the magical charm. Though some now practiced magic here it wasn’t the same. No merfolk, no magical creatures, and I would stick out with my lighter hair. Most here had varying shades of brown or black. I reached for my hair and pulled a lock in front of me. Honey blonde, I was back to me now. I turned my hands over and knew those were mine also.
Looking at me, Taz said, “Oh, good, you’re—you now. It was unsettling me a little to keep seeing you as Legacy.” We walked down the path from the library that led to the main street below. “Also, apparently Legacy has been keeping secrets from us. Taron?”
“Maybe she thought we’d judge her because of what happened to Aric.”
Taz nodded slowly. “I don’t think I could ever be with someone who became one of those things. Nothing personal against Aric.”
My stomach twisted. I’d had the same reaction when I found out what Kyan was. Aric has secrecy and his title as a prince of Collweya on his side. But if more people knew I don’t think even that would help him.
Once we stepped onto the main street the castle came into view. “It’s only a few miles from here,” I said, pointing.
Taz stared at it for a few long moments. “I’ve never been to Hesstia. The castle is impressive but not as much as ours.” He turned to me with a half smile.
The Delhoon castle was a single white spiral that rose toward the clouds with balconies at each level. With a thousand rooms that housed students, it acted as an academy as well as the home of the Queen and King.
The Hesstian castle, if I remembered
