But my astonishment didn’t end there, not even close.
I hadn’t considered where a prince and his retinue would spend the night. If I had, I might have concluded that the Summer Court Palace would be just the place for such a party, but even so, I wouldn’t have imagined the grandeur of said palace. The structure was massive, its tall entrance hewn from white stone and adorned with intricate carvings. Steps that rose for three stories led to it. Four tall spires soared into the air, capped with blue roofs that match the color of the water that surrounded it like a giant moat, a moat that didn’t seem to have been built to offer security but pleasure, judging by the many colorful boats that meander through the intricate waterways.
By the time we reached an entrance on the side of the palace, I was so turned around that I knew I wouldn’t be able to find my way out of the city on my own. My senses were on overload, bouncing from one marvelous thing to another. We crossed the wooden gates into a cluster of beautifully organized stables, where attendants rushed to our side to take our horses.
Valeriana dismounted with ease, making me feel like a clumsy bear despite my attempts to appear graceful. Dandelion’s mane was fully braided in an intricate pattern that looked like a trellis. It made the mare look almost regal.
“That’s really pretty,” I pointed out.
The girl just shrugged as if it were nothing.
As an attendant pulled the mare away, I reached out in concern.
“It’s fine, Dani,” Jeondar said. “They’ll take good care of her. I promise.”
I nodded and felt Valeriana inch closer to me, practically hiding behind my leg.
Silver, Cylea, and Kryn tore through a side door without waiting for us to join them.
Jeondar shook his head. “They’ll be drunk within the hour,” he said. “C’mon, I don’t know about you, but I’m starving, and if we don’t hurry, they’ll leave no food for us.”
I was hungry too, and a hard drink would truly take the edge off. I started to follow Jeondar, but Valeriana stayed behind, nailed to the spot. I offered her my hand. She took it and interlaced her fingers with mine. Clutching me tightly, we left the stables.
We followed through the doors the others had used and traversed a narrow hall adorned with equine-related objects like stirrups, intricately carved leather straps, paintings of majestic stallions, and prairies strewn with wild horses.
The palace was as labyrinthine as the city, and in no time, I was twice lost. At some point, the decorations changed dramatically, becoming luxurious, ostentatious even. Everything seemed to be made out of gold: carved, painted, or sculpted by a masterful artist.
At last, we arrived at a large hall with ceilings as high as a cathedral’s and just as intricately decorated. A long table that could accommodate upwards of fifty people stretched before us. It was mostly empty except for people gathered at the far end, near a twelve-foot-wide fireplace that glowed with a cozy fire.
The biggest smile I’d ever seen on Jeondar lit up his face. He strode forward with long steps and walked right into the arms of a tall male who had risen from the head of the table to welcome him.
“Father,” Jeondar said, embracing the male and thumping his back.
I blinked as I approached, scrutinizing Jeondar’s father and quickly finding the resemblance: the same mahogany skin, the same warm and gentle eyes. It was all there, if with a slightly older tinge.
“Son.” He thumped Jeondar’s back in turn. “I’m so glad you’re home.” He was dressed in a red velvet tunic and wore a crown inset with rubies as large as golf balls, which had to mean that he was… the King of the Summer Court.
Holy Shit.I never suspected that Jeondar was a prince.
CHAPTER 14
Thekingpulledawayfrom his son, held him at arm’s length, and examined him from head to toe, wearing a proud expression. After he was done confirming Jeondar was in one piece, he switched his attention to us.
“Father,” Jeondar jumped in, “this is Daniella Sunder. She’s a healer and hails from the human realm. Dani, this is my father King Elladan Lywynn.”
The king took a step forward and bowed respectfully. “Welcome to Imbermore, Lady Sunder.”
I felt frazzled, unsure of how to greet a king, so I just mimicked him and said, “Thank you, King Lywynn.”
“And who do we have here?” He inclined his head to peer behind my leg, where Valeriana was hiding.
“We found her in Mid Crosswood. She’s one of the dryad folk. She said her clan was attacked, and she was left without a family.”
As Jeondar spoke, the king’s face grew somber, the large smile he’d worn since we arrived fading and giving way to worry lines.
“I promised we would find her a home with a different clan,” Jeondar added.
The king nodded, then pressed a fist to his chest. “May their souls linger in the earth at the roots of the mother tree.”