Zachari kissed her forehead. "Thank you." He grinned down at her. "Wait until you see mother and father."
Serenity's eyes widened and she stepped back to face Micah. "We have to see my parents the second after we've met with the queen."
Micah reclaimed his mate by pulling her into his arms. "Of course, my one and only, whatever you need." He looked up at his new brother. "Thank you for always protecting her. She's told me many stories where you defended her."
Zachari let out a long breath. "It wasn't easy, she's very contrary."
Serenity wiped at her eyes and elbowed her brother in the stomach. "Am not."
Zachari simply stared at her. "Really?"
/> "Zach, let me introduce my friends." Serenity turned to where they stood and started introductions. When she was done, he was smiling at everyone. "Call me Zach. Zachari makes me feel like I'm still five."
Darian walked over and they clasped forearms. "Can I assume you're our escort?"
Zach nodded. "I may have accidentally bespelled the door to Aeson's bedroom this morning so that I could be the first to see Serenity."
Serenity sighed. "You only learn just enough magic to make mischief," she complained.
Zach wagged a finger at her. "And satisfy my lady friends."
Serenity wrinkled her nose. "Never mind that."
Zach walked over and clasped arms with Oron. "Welcome home."
Oron smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "May I present my mate, Isabelle Campbell."
Serenity's brother smiled wide. "That's amazing news! The queen is going to be over the moon." He looked back at the city. "Let's show off our beautiful city so that we can head to the palace and meet with the queen."
"Great idea," both Darian and Oron said in unison.
Darian and Amelia took the lead followed by Aiden, Meryn and Ryuu. Zach looped his arm through Serenity's on one side, and Micah claimed the other. Together they slowly began walking toward the city center leaving her and Oron to bring up the rear.
As they walked, Izzy began to notice that everyone was greeted warmly, even the visiting Aiden and Meryn, but no one greeted Oron. They moved in silence down the street.
Soon, residential buildings were replaced by commercial ones. Vendors and craftsmen of all kinds filled the white and golden street. Quietly Oron would point out individual shops. All sorts of wares were displayed beautifully on marble pedestals under bleached linen awnings. Every kind of craft she could imagine lined both sides of the wide pedestrian walkway. Her eyes flew from the delicate glass figures to the intricate metalworks. She gasped at the warm wood pieces and the elegant ceramics homewares. Oron lifted their clasped hands, pointing to a brilliantly colored curtained entrance. "I'd like to take you there later. The tailor creates magicked clothing that stays pressed and clean. You'd never have to worry about smoky clothes again."
She looked into the shop's window as they passed and felt her mouth drop. The robes on display were nothing short of works of art. "Oron, I can't afford this," she whispered.
He grinned down at her. "But I can."
In front of them she noticed Meryn pointing and followed her line of sight. "What are those?"
Oron looked over. "Those are our version of streetlamps. Amber stones have been bespelled to flicker like fireflies. They are truly exquisite during the dim."
When Oron chuckled beside her, she looked up. "What?"
He nodded over to the stately looking wall coming up on their right. "That's the wall I pinned Molvan to when Darian was little."
She eyed the wall smiling at the memory of the story. The interspacing segments in front of the long, imposing wall, created immaculately designed flowerbeds that acted as a fragrant barrier between the street and the wall. At first, she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her, but soon she figured out that the slight movements amongst the flowers and bushes were sprites frolicking.
"Oron," she whispered under her breath.
Without looking, he simply nodded. "I know."
All too quickly, their magical stroll was over, and they now stood outside of some imposing gates. Oron led her to the front of their group to stand with Darian.
A fae in burnished armor stepped forward. "Prince Darian, hail and well met."