First 3 Chapters of A Heart So Dark

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Chapter 1: Kieren

Lia? Lia?

Only a cold, empty silence met Kieren’s thoughts.

He kept his eyes on the four departing figures. What had just happened? Crouched behind the bushes, Kieren couldn’t hear what they were saying, and Lia’s thoughts were too soft and hazy. But he could certainly feel her fear. She was suffocating in it as Azriel led her away.

What are you doing? Get her back! The dragon within him roared. She shouldn’t meet Fearson alone.

But Lia wasn’t alone; she had Azriel. The knot in Kieren’s stomach tightened. Because of the Verdurans’ deep hatred of dragon shifters, Azriel and Lia were supposed to find Fearson and discover the World Eater’s whereabouts while Kieren and Griffith stayed with Azriel’s friend and waited for them to send word. Kieren had agreed to this plan before seeing Azriel kiss Lia. 

The image of that still burned in his mind. What in the moons had Azriel been thinking?

Kieren leapt to his feet, deciding to follow them. Forget the plan. He was going to get Lia back.

Griffith reached out and grabbed Kieren’s arm. “Hold on a moment.”

“Let go.” His words came out gruffer than he’d intended.

“No.”

What are you waiting for? Azriel has betrayed you.

It took all of Kieren’s self-control to restrain the beast within. He tugged his arm from Griffith’s hold. “Did you see what he did? Azriel kissed her. And she was afraid.”

His friend’s violet eyes locked with his. “I know what you saw, but just take a moment and forget whether or not you trust Azriel. Do you trust Lia? Because it seems to me that we have two options. We can either go after her because we don’t believe in her. Or we can find the other dragon shifters. Forget about staying with Azriel’s friend. The prophecy says that Lia needs the help of a dragon, but it never mentioned which dragon. Remember? ‘A dragon will wake and calm a heart full of unrest. Darkness befriends Light, to bring out her best.’”

Griffith’s logic sliced through Kieren’s angry haze. His friend was right. But Kieren’s dragon refused to be so easily calmed. I don’t like leaving her alone with them.

Kieren didn’t either. 

Lia? He reached out with a tentative thought.

No response. 

“I’ll ask you again. Do you trust her?” 

Kieren’s shoulders sagged, and he let out a defeated sigh. “I do.”

“Good. So what are we going to do?”

Kieren thought back to Minerva’s map. “They went that way to get to the castle, which means they’re heading east. So it makes sense that we go this way”—he pointed in the opposite direction—“if we want to find the other dragon shifters.” 

The beast within snorted. Kieren suspected that his dragon wasn’t too happy with the plan, but he wasn’t taking any chances. If Lia needed the dragon shifters’ help to defeat the World Eater, Kieren was going to locate them.

Their hike through the gray woods was eerily silent. Besides the soft shuffling of leaves beneath their feet, Kieren heard nothing. No cries of lonely birds. No rustle of windblown leaves.

“I don’t like it.” Griffith scowled, looking around. “What’s wrong with this place? I feel like we’re in a horror movie. Everything is so quiet.”

Griff was right. Taking in the wilted bushes, the endless gray sky, and the trees’ pale bark, Kieren kept his hand rested atop the hilt of his sword. “It’s almost as if the woods are sick.” 

“I wonder why it’s like that?” 

The question hung in the air between them as they continued making their way through the soundless forest. Just when Kieren thought that all they’d ever see was their subdued surroundings, the tiniest flash of color caught his eye. On the ground, just up ahead, lay a single red leaf. Rejuvenated by the welcome glimpse of color, Kieren increased his pace, spotting more brilliant colored leaves sprinkled amidst the dull browns. 

Before long, their surroundings began to resemble a healthy Solairan forest. Trees clad in beautiful rainbow-colored bark stood proudly in the golden sunlight, their boughs heavy with thousands of delicate tear-shaped leaves. And with the gentle breeze that drifted across his skin, the air smelled cleaner, almost sweet. 

The woods soon gave way to a clearing that housed several towering piles of grass-covered dirt. Kieren pulled out a flask of water and took a deep, long drink.

“What sort of creature would build such mounds?” Griffith asked.

Kieren’s gaze traveled upward, noting the tendrils of smoke emerging from one of the structures.“I don’t think an animal built these.” 

“Shall we?” His friend motioned to what appeared to be a door.

They made their way through the thick, lush grass to the nearest mound. As his fingers brushed against the branches twisted together to create a handle, the door swung open to reveal a scrawny green-skinned man with wispy hair. The stranger bore a striking resemblance to Ariadne.

“You’re early,” the man grumbled. “But you might as well come on in. Let’s go. I haven’t got all day. You certainly keep me working hard enough.”

Griffith gave the man a polite smile. “Our apologies. I think you must have us confused with someone else.”

The man rolled his yellow eyes. “Aren’t you here for the stones?”

Kieren and Griffith shared a confused look before shaking their heads.

The man scratched his chin. “You mean you’re not from Elladia?”

“No, we’re not,” Kieren said.

The Verduran gave an exasperated sigh. “Then we have no time to talk to you. We’re busy, busy, busy with work to do.”

“Wait!” Kieren caught the door before it closed. “You’re a potion maker? Like Ariadne?”

Kieren tossed out the Verduran healer’s name on a whim. Perhaps it was their similar appearances, but something in his gut said that Ariadne and the stranger were connected. 

The man popped his head out from behind the door; his brow furrowed. “What name did you just mention, young man?”

“Ariadne.”

The man’s eyes darted behind them. “Where is our niece? Did she bring you here”

Kieren’s gut was right. This green-skinned man was Ariadne’s uncle. “She’s not with us,” Kieren replied as honestly as he could, but he said nothing more. He didn’t trust the man enough to tell him exactly where she was.

The Verduran’s mouth tightened into a thin line. “Course she isn’t. The girl left years ago to live in that fancy city and become a potion maker for the queen. She never once made the time to come visit. Seems our magic wasn’t good enough for her. Last we heard, she got engaged to a boy. Some proper Lord’s son. Elric or Eldric, something like that.” He pointed a bony finger in Kieren’s direction. “My poor sister was beside herself when she didn’t hear from her daughter. The rotten girl didn’t even come back for her own mother’s funeral.”

Kieren found himself at a loss for words. The man unfairly blamed Ariadne. He had no idea that his niece had been kidnapped and sold as a slave to Kieren’s father only to be rescued years later. 

Griffith cleared his throat. “Ariadne would have come back, but—” 

“Something happened to her,” Kieren spoke over him. “She was taken prisoner.”

“Prisoner?” The man’s eyes darted behind them again, and he brought a finger to his lips. “Hush. We must not speak of such things out here. He has spies everywhere.” With a strength surprising for a man of his stature, the stranger pulled both Kieren and Griffith inside. 

Inside the mound was dim and musty. Sunlight filtered through the occasional gaps in the sticks and mud, dappling the dirt floor. Although spacious, the Verduran’s home felt immeasurably smaller due to the quantity of items squeezed inside. Piles of books rested on the floor, many of them towering all the way to the ceiling. Stacks of giant pots and pans rested haphazardly on the ground amidst random pieces of what looked like broken furniture. Every available shelf and side table overflowed with glass jars. And everything appeared to be covered in a thin layer of dirt. A small fire crackled feebly on the other side of the dwelling, trying its best, but ultimately losing its battle against the cold, damp air.

“Sit down, please.” The man motioned to a couple of woven stools squeezed beside a table made from planks of rotting wood. Muttering under his breath, their host scurried over to a pot near the fire and scooped something into two cups. He hobbled back and presented them to Griffith and Kieren.

Kieren took a careful sniff of the brown liquid, the spicy aroma of cinnamon and something earthy filling his nostrils. He brought the mug to his mouth and took a sip, instantly regretting his decision. The sludge tasted like warm, spiced mud. Fighting the urge to spit it out, Kieren forced the slimy substance down.

Beside him, Griffith coughed. His eyes teared, and his copper skin shone with a fine sheen of sweat. “Wow. That will certainly put some hairs on your chest.”

The Verduran took another seat and shot Griffith a scornful look. “Shows what little you know. This isn’t a hair-growing potion. It’s dirt tea, and it’s been aged to perfection.” He took a swig and sighed with contentment.

Just how long had the tea been aging? 

Griffith’s mouth curled up as if he could read Kieren’s thoughts. “You know, I’ve never had dirt tea before. What exactly is it made of? I must get the recipe.”

Their host leaned in, motioning them closer. “It’s a family secret, so I can’t tell you all the ingredients. But since you’re friends of Ariadne’s, I’ll give you a hint. One of the main ingredients is mud.”

“Really?” Griffith placed a hand to his chest. “I would never have guessed.” 

This time Kieren coughed as he fought the urge to laugh. 

The Verduran took another swig. “Name’s Bekker, by the way.”

“My name’s Kieren, and this is Griffith.”

“Good to meet you, lads.” Bekker wiped the mud from his mouth with the back of his hand. “You say you’re not from the king, so what brings you through the dying woods? You don’t appear to be addicted.”

“Addicted?” Griffith raised his eyebrows.

Bekker nodded. “You know. To the stones.”

Verdurans here were addicted to stones? Was Bekker talking about jewels, like the one on the pendant used by Minerva when she’d cursed him to become a dragon? “No. We’re not. We don’t even own stones,” Kieren said.

“Good. That’s very good. Because the stones are powerful, but they aren’t safe for prolonged use. Isn’t that right?” Bekker tilted his head as if listening to something. “Of course, we already knew that. But we still spell them, don’t we? The king says we must.”

Kieren caught Griffith’s glance. Who was Ariadne’s uncle speaking to?

Bekker returned his attention to Kieren. “But that’s not why we let you inside our house. Stones are old news. And we want new news, don’t we?” He nodded. “Tell me about my niece. Where is Ariadne? You said she was taken prisoner by the king?”

Kieren raised his mug to his lips and was about to take another sip when he realized what he was doing. He quickly put the clay mug back down. 

Wait. Didn’t Minerva say that a queen ruled Verdura?

“I’m sorry, but I think I must have misheard you. Did you say king?”

Bekker stared at his feet. “The taller one seems surprised to hear that Fearson is king. But why is that? They must know that the queen is sick, and we need Fearson and his stones.” 

The Verduran sat in silence for a moment before continuing, “You’re right. They do seem like good lads, and I don’t think they’d lie to us. Hopefully, Ariadne really is safe and not trapped in the mines. Besides, why would the king want you if he has her?”

Griffith’s eyebrows raised. “Who is he talking to?” he mouthed.

Kieren had no idea. 

They watched as the man turned to address a bookshelf. “Yes, you were right. You are always right. I mustn’t call the miners prisoners. They’re doing Verdura a service. Yes. Yes. I should just ask them.” Bekker slapped a palm to his forehead and turned to face them once again. “When Ariadne left, I told her mother that the city would swallow her up. But now, with Queen Kelwyn sick, I’m worried King Fearson must have gotten hold of my niece. Please. You told me she’s being held prisoner. Was she sent to the mines?”

Kieren struggled to comprehend what Bekker was talking about. King Fearson? Was Bekker referring to Azriel’s brother? The man Lia and Azriel had been sent to look for?

“No.” Griffith spoke slowly. “Ariadne wasn’t sent to the mines.”

A look of relief swept across the older man’s face. “So the king didn’t get her?”

“She’s in hiding,” Griff added. “And she’s safe.”

The Verduran bobbed his head. “Good. Good. Good. It’s probably best we don’t know where she is anyway. Just in case.”

We? Once again, Kieren latched onto the Verduran’s odd choice of words. Who was Bekker talking about? They were the only other people in the room.

“You mentioned that we don’t appear addicted to the stones,” Griffith said, changing the subject. “Can you please tell us more about those?”

Bekker chuckled before taking another sip of his ‘tea.’ “The odd one wants to know about the stones.”

“Bekker?” Kieren tried regaining the man’s attention. “The stones?”

The Verduran looked up, his eyes now focused and alert. “I never wanted to use my potions for this. But with the queen sick and the master consort…” A look of fear clouded his eyes. “Not master consort. King. I meant king, of course. You understand my mistake.” As a frightened expression crossed the man’s face, he began rocking back and forth. “They won’t tell him. Of course they won’t. They look like nice boys. We don’t have to worry,” he whispered to himself.

“Of course,” Kieren crooned, trying to calm the man down. “The king. Griffith and I knew you were speaking of Fearson.”

Griffith nodded enthusiastically.

Gradually, their host stopped rocking, and his shoulders relaxed. “We’re grateful to him, of course. The king gives us work. We have a responsibility. Our people are starving for magic since Kelwyn grew ill. And at least I don’t make the bloodstones. No. No. No.”

“Bloodstones?” Griffith asked. “You mean the black stones that the queen’s guardians wear?”

Bekker scowled. “The guardians disbanded years ago, when Fearson took control. Everyone knows that.” He took a sip of his tea and began mumbling to himself again. “You’re right; I don’t think they’re from here. Are they spies? Maybe we should put a couple of drops of sleeping potion in their tea just to be safe. Then offer them to the king’s men.” Bekker let out a chuckle and looked up. “Would you care for some more tea?”

Kieren pushed his cup away. One look at Griffith, and he knew that they’d both come to the same conclusion. It was time for them to leave. He gave their host a cordial smile. “As much as we’d love that, my friend and I have to get going. Thank you for the tea and chat.” He slowly got to his feet.

Taking the hint, Griffith followed suit.

Kieren motioned with his hand, inviting Bekker to walk them to the door.

“Yes. Well. Perhaps it is better that you leave,” Bekker mumbled. “I have to finish spelling this new batch of stones, and he hates it when I’m late.” 

Kieren hesitated at the doorway. Despite Bekker’s odd behavior, Kieren knew that if he didn’t seize the opportunity, they might not get another chance to find the answers they searched for. 

“One last question before we go, if you don’t mind.” He gave Ariadne’s uncle what he hoped was a friendly smile. 

Bekker tilted his head one way and then the other. “Sleeping potion? Or answer his question? Such a difficult decision.” He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. “Fine. Since you told me about my niece, I’ll humor you. But then you must go before I do something I’ll regret.”

“Of course,” Kieren assured him. “Griff and I are on our way to the Wildling Islands. I assume we just keep heading west?”

Ariadne’s uncle barked out a loud laugh. “You two really are odd rocks. Looking for dragons, I take it?” 

“And what if we are?” Kieren held his breath, waiting for the man’s answer. 

Bright yellow eyes stared back at him. “Then I would say you’re bigger fools than my niece. Everyone knows there are no more dragon shifters. Their numbers were wiped out when we won the war against their Prime. But if you want to search for ghosts, then yes. You’re heading in the right direction.” The Verduran shoved them out the door.

“Wait!” Griffith called out. “Just out of curiosity. There aren’t any dangerous creatures or monsters between here and the Wildling Islands, are there?”

Bekker’s mouth twisted into a grim smile. “Nothing besides the king’s trackers.” And then he slammed the door.

 Chapter 2: Lia

They’d been riding for what seemed like hours now. Howler and Jin rode in front, sharing a massive black stallion with glowing red eyes while Azriel and Lia shared another. Even though Lia was in good shape from running cross country, their relentless pace was beginning to wear on her.

When she once again tightened her arms around Azriel in her struggle to hold on, he let out a loud sigh. “Why don’t we take a moment to rest?”

Lia was about to whisper her thanks, but she stopped herself. Azriel was no longer her friend. Not since revealing that he’d never intended to help her find the World Eater. He’d only returned to Verdura to use her as a prize to win back his brother’s favor. The truth in Azriel’s words still stung. But instead of crying, Lia reminded herself that she was going to stick to the plan: Find out the World Eater’s whereabouts from Fearson and then contact her friends.

Kieren? she reached out, but unsurprisingly, no one responded. 

Lia dismounted and walked over to sit against one of the trees, away from the others, her boots crunching in the carpet of leaves. Now that they were farther from the portal, she noticed little instances of color returning to their surroundings. Although everything still looked as if it had been coated with a wash of gray, an occasional red or yellow leaf would catch her eye. She reached down and picked up one of those rare bits of color from the ground. 

A pang of homesickness struck. How would Gabby or Holly feel about what was happening to her now? Lia’s eyes prickled, a sure sign that tears would soon follow, but she stubbornly held them back. She refused to let the enemy see her cry.

“They used to be multicolored,” a voice murmured nearby. 

Lia looked up and was surprised to see Jin, his hand resting against the tree’s trunk. He stood in a patch of sunlight, giving his light brown-colored skin a tint of gold. As he stared down at her, his eyes briefly changed from a warm brown to a bright orange. 

“What used to be multicolored?” she asked.

“The rainbow eucalyptus trees.” 

“What are you two whispering about over there?” Azriel’s tone was languid, but his eyes looked suspicious and hard.

Lia lifted her head to glare at him. “Nothing of any interest to you.”

Something tugged at the back of her mind and she gritted her teeth, fighting off his attempt to control. Azriel had another thing coming if he expected her to go down without a fight. 

Azriel’s eyes widened and he let out a gasp. 

“My lord?” Howler rushed over. “What have you done to him?” He snarled at Lia, drawing his sword. 

Lia jumped to her feet and unsheathed her blade in response.

“Put your weapon away, you dolt.” Azriel smirked at Lia. “Oh. You are a strong one. But I’ve always enjoyed a good challenge. Duller minds give way far too easily.” He glowered at Howler, who looked confused. Letting out an annoyed sigh, Azriel waved his hand. “I’m bored with you now. You are free.” 

The satyr’s slitted eyes blinked. Horrified, he touched the tip of his horn. “What did you do to me? My horn!”

Azriel tutted. “I’d recommend you remain silent. Or you may very well find yourself under my influence again.”

Howler opened his mouth, sputtering a protest. But one look from Azriel and the satyr resheathed his sword.

“As I suspected. Duller mind.” Azriel turned to the other guard. “Jin? You’re one of the fairy folk, are you not? Although, oddly, you seem rather far from home. And you’re not quite as dusty as the others.”

Jin’s jaw clenched, but he held Azriel’s condescending gaze. “I am a halfling.” 

“Really?” Azriel arched a brow. “How interesting. As the brighter one in this ragtag pair, tell me, if Queen Kelwyn is sick, and assuming she and my brother have not produced any offspring, then why have they not looked for other suitable heirs?”

“They have.” Howler gave Lia a wide, exaggerated smile, revealing two rows of sharpened teeth. “But whenever any girls are brought to the castle, within days, they turn up dead.”

“Quite the coincidence.” Azriel’s tone implied it was anything but. “That’s enough rest for now. We should keep heading toward the castle if we’re to make it there before nightfall.”

Lia reluctantly climbed back onto the stallion with Azriel. As they rode, a cool breeze caressed her cheek, and a low warbling filled the air. The gray tree trunks began to regain their color, revealing streaks of red, yellow, green, and plum. Every so often, creatures that resembled rabbits and squirrels scurried into bushes or up trees. Life slowly bloomed in the surrounding woods.

Azriel pointed ahead. “We’re approaching the outskirts of Elladia now.”

The woods soon gave way to farmland so wonderfully green it appeared almost neon. Peeking out here and there, gnomes with wrinkled skin and pointy hats worked the fields: picking produce or pulling carts laden with food.

The scene before her evoked memories of Talvi and the hidden Verduran village back in Solair.  A sense of déjà vu mixed with sadness gnawed at her insides. She had finally made it back to the land of her grandmother’s people. However, it was a bittersweet experience without her mother there to share it. 

Less interested than her in their surroundings, the horses continued plodding along the dirt path. Up ahead, Howler and Jin seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. Strange. Lia wondered if they’d stepped through some sort of magical barrier. But before she’d had time to think about the possibility, she and Azriel reached that point. And that’s when she felt it—a full blast of life-giving energy and magic.

It was like swimming in the coolest, most refreshing water. As her skin stretched and tingled, Lia stared at her hand, which was glowing again. Slowly waving it back and forth, she studied how the light changed from pink to blue and then to gold with each movement. Luminescent, her skin resembled one of those fiery opals she’d once seen in a museum.

“What are you doing?” Azriel thrust a cloak and gloves at her.  “Are you an idiot? Put these on.”

As his harsh tone extinguished her joy, the details of their surrounding environment came into focus. Gone were the farmlands. Now sturdy, pristine white houses with red doors and thatched roofs stood all around them. 

Lia quickly found her voice. “I will never wear your clothes.”

“You’d better. Unless you want to bring even more suspicion on yourself. And for Verdura’s sake, turn off your glow.”

Lia looked back down at her hands. She was still glowing, just as she had when she’d opened the portals into Solair and Verdura.

“Your face is even worse,” Azriel said.

Really? Unable to contain her annoyance, Lia smacked him with the gloves. Hard. 

He grabbed her leg. 

“Let go of me,” she hissed.

But his hold didn’t loosen. “Put on the cloak and gloves now. Or I swear, I will force you to do so.” 

Up ahead, Howler and Jin stopped their horse. Before they could turn, Lia whipped the hood over her head and hid her glowing hands inside the gloves.

“Is everything alright?” Jin called back.

Lia cowered behind Azriel, her fear of being discovered outweighing her hatred of the Verduran.

“Everything is fine,” Azriel drawled. “I simply asked Lia if she wanted to stop for a drink of water, but she didn’t. It would seem she’s in a hurry to meet my brother.”

Scowling, Lia lowered her head, hoping that Jin wouldn’t come back to check on her. But the fairy and satyr said nothing. Instead, they turned their horse and continued forward. 

After a few paces, Azriel glanced over his shoulder at Lia again. “You might think I’m a monster, but believe me, my brother is much, much worse. He can never see you like that. If he does, he will skin. You. Alive.”

Refusing to let him see her fear, Lia raised her chin in defiance. “I thought you didn’t care about me. So why are you warning me about your brother?”

Azriel leaned back, so close that she could feel his hot breath on her ear. “You’re of no value to anyone dead.” With a smirk, he turned to face the front, not saying anything more. 

Shaken by his words, Lia couldn’t keep her hands from trembling. Stop glowing. I need to stop glowing, she told herself. After several minutes, she removed a glove, bracing herself for what she might see. 

Thankfully, only her normal skin lay underneath.

Chapter 3:  Lia

Making their way toward the center of the city, they passed more and more of the thatched, white cottages. And towering above them now was a magnificent castle made of a beautiful light-green stone. 

So this was Elladia, Verdura’s capital, where the queen and king dwelled. Lia looked around, expecting to spot a fence or wall, anything to keep the citizens safe from invaders. But she could see nothing. As they rode a little farther, another soft tingle caressed her skin, and she felt it again. 

Magic. The city must be protected by magical barriers.

Lia cautiously removed a glove and watched a small patch of glowing light dance across her skin. For a moment, a small voice inside rebelled against listening to Azriel. Why not allow whatever was happening to continue? He’d already revealed his ulterior motives. He couldn’t be trusted.

But a larger, more rational part of her mind disagreed. She was entering an unfriendly environment. It would be better if Lia didn’t display some unknown ability that she didn’t understand or know how to control. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on extinguishing her glow.

The fluttering sensation disappeared, and when she snuck a look at her hand, everything had returned to normal. With a small sigh of relief, she put the glove back on.

The dirt path soon gave way to cobblestones, and larger, blindingly white buildings that resembled elongated teardrops lined the road. These homes varied in size, but an abundance of greenery surrounded each dwelling. Long twisted vines covered with trumpeting purple blooms, velvety, moss-covered rocks, and bushes with red heart-shaped flowers caught her attention. 

In this part of the city, there were more Verdurans out and about, and Lia drank in the details of their appearances. Elladia’s inhabitants were as vibrant and beautiful as the plants. While there had been diversity in Solair’s hidden Verduran village, she’d clearly only seen a fraction of the people. Many Verdurans they passed had human-like features, but there were certainly enough horns and wings to go around. While some looked like they could have been Solairans, others had striking skin colors—beautiful shades of blue, green, and even red. 

After taking a sharp right turn, they proceeded up the hill, the dwellings becoming larger. Lia assumed these were the homes of the wealthier Verdurans. Outside, several gnomes tended the gardens. Bent over, working the ground, none of them looked up as they passed. 

Soon the road led them to an enormous flowering hedge. Towering over them, the tips of the castle soared overhead. In front of the hedge, a man and a woman wearing golden breastplates and golden masks covering their entire faces stood guard. A magnificent black jewel in the center of each mask stared at Lia like a giant third eye.

“Howler. Jin,” one of the guards barked in greeting. The masked guard turned to Azriel and Lia.  She assumed the man was studying them, but it was impossible to tell what he was thinking behind his mask. “How goes the hunting?”

Howler peered back at Azriel with narrowed eyes, but he didn’t reply. 

Jin answered for them both: “We found two trespassers in the Western Woods.” 

“And you decided to share your horse with them?” the female guard remarked dryly.

Jin shrugged. 

“What happened to your horn?” the first guard asked.

Howler’s face turned a darker shade of green. “Just let us in,” he grumbled. 

The two guards turned to each other, quietly conferring before reaching an agreement. Raising their hands, they turned to face the hedge. And as they muttered something, the leaves and branches pulled back to allow them entrance. 

Inside, a bustling scene greeted them. Beautiful trees with twisted trunks and branches dripping with fragrant purple flowers shaded portions of the courtyard. A mosaic of colorful stones covered the ground in a design that looked like a cross between a sun and a mandala. All around, Verdurans hurried about trading or taking a stroll in the warm sunshine. The sing-song voices of merchants selling items from their colorful carts and the gentle sound of chimes filled the air. 

Here, the Verdurans wore more colorful, wispy clothing in a wide variety of jewel tones. Stones and crystals adorned the fingers, ears, and noses of many. Some of the women even had crystals woven through their hair. Heads turned in their direction as they rode by, the Verdurans watching them with unguarded wariness. Lia held her hood tightly against herself, not wishing to draw any more attention than necessary. 

When they reached the other side of the courtyard, Howler and Jin dismounted and handed their horse to more gnomes. Thick metal collars encircled the gnomes’ necks, and their inky eyes peered from under heavy brows, seeming to take in everything. As two approached their stallion, Azriel easily dismounted. Lia followed suit, keeping her eyes cast downward and a tight grip on her sword.

“Come,” Jin commanded, motioning to the white stone staircase that led to what was probably the most beautiful building Lia had ever laid eyes on. From a distance, the castle appeared to be a solid light green. But now that they were up close, she could see thin veins of gold running through the stone, weaving a delicate lacy lattice through the walls.

A sharp tingle swept across her skin. 

“It would appear my brother has tightened security.” Azriel stared up at the castle. “What spells has he added?”

Howler opened his mouth as if to answer, but Jin shook his head, staring him down. The satyr quickly shut his mouth.

“That’s fine,” Azriel murmured breezily. “I’ll just ask him when I see him.”

Their group walked up the steps and past rows of silent masked guards.

Lia shivered at the creepy sight. “Why don’t they take our weapons?” 

Howler turned and grinned, his bravery returning now that he stood on familiar ground. “The king isn’t afraid of your swords.”

Of course. With Fearson’s ability to manipulate metal, it made sense that their weapons wouldn’t intimidate him.

Although windowless, thanks to the light generated by semi-translucent stones set into the walls, the hallway inside the building was as bright as outside. Lia would have stopped to marvel at the flickering stones a while longer, but the group kept moving forward. 

Jin stopped outside a set of metal doors carved with an intricate image of a giant tree. The level of detail was astounding; Lia could have sworn she saw the leaves ripple in the breeze. 

“Before you go in, you’ll need these.” The fairy pulled out two pairs of brass cuffs. 

“How utterly draconian.” Azriel took a pair and slipped them around his wrists.

“Jewelry?” Lia removed her gloves. Copying Azriel, she placed the cuffs around her wrists and the surrounding blanket of magic that she’d sensed before immediately disappeared. All she was aware of now was the weight of the bracelets. Disconcerted by the unpleasant sensation, she attempted to remove one. But it wouldn’t come off.

“They’re spelled,” Howler said with a grin that looked more like a grimace. “They won’t come off until the king allows it.”

Lia nervously twisted the cuff around. “Why does he insist on us wearing jewelry?”

“Oh, princess.” Azriel rolled his eyes, and Lia’s face heated in embarrassment. “They’re not an adornment. They’re metal shackles, spelled to make sure we can’t access any powers. If either of us attempts something, my brother will be sure to correct us.” 

Lia thought back to the metal collars around the gnomes’ necks. Her breathing quickened and she felt herself beginning to panic. Everything about the metal against her skin felt wrong; it reduced them to little more than servants or prisoners. Tugging ineffectually on one of the cuffs, she wanted only to rip them off.

“Not that you could use magic on him anyway.” Howler shrugged. “The king has bloodstones that he’s spelled to shield him from the effects of magic. He’s untouchable.” The satyr gave Lia an appraising look. “The other potential heirs lasted several days, but I don’t know if you’ll even make it through the night. You look terrified.”

Narrowing her eyes, Lia took a step forward. She might not have use of her magic, but she could still wield a blade.

“Let’s not forget why we’re here.” Azriel pressed his hand against the small of her back, guiding her toward the door. “It’s time to introduce ourselves to my brother. He’s the one you should try to impress.” 

And with a not so gentle push, she entered the room.

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