Page 30 of Lich's Mate

Kavian nods as I look everywhere outside the window. Indeed there is a garden surrounding the mansion, set on either side of the driveway the carriage rides on.

Demon servants tend to the plant life, trimming leaves off the blackened hedges and fixing the horn-shaped flowers lining each path. Several fountains in the shapes of Aerasak wildlife spout water from their mouths.

Despite the dark colors of it all, there is a lush quality to the gardens and an air of serenity. It’s the last thing I expected a demon to have in front of their home, again thinking of the xaphan propaganda. It seems alive.

I settle back into my seat, still in awe of the garden as the carriage pulls up in front of the mansion itself.

“We’re here,” Kavian says.

He dismounts first, again shaking the carriage as he jumps out of the vehicle. Extending a hand, he helps me exit the carriage, my feet landing on the smoothest stone pathway, kissed by the gentle heat.

Before me looms the mansion in all of its glory. I step forward, losing myself in its beauty as I take in every detail.

It stands three stories high, with four windows lining each row of floors on the mansion’s front side, and balconies in between. Black in color, the mansion boasts spires on the edges of its rooftop.

Each curve in its material has been so excellently carved and cared for that it shows no signs of age. Statues of blackbirds sit perched on various peaks, their watchful eyes so realistic that I anticipate them swooping down on me at any moment.

“This way,” Kavian says as he walks past me.

He leads us to a grand set of double doors, twice his height. With a wave of his hand, a shadow passes over the handles, and the doors slowly open.

Just when I think I couldn’t be any more shocked, I’m proven wrong by his grand foyer.

I turn around as I slowly walk inside, marveling at everything I see. Paintings of the property and the city hang on the walls, and in between them are vases and pottery of differing sizes standing tall on their podiums.

Magnificent furnishings line the room, each leather couch calling for me to take a rest on them.

Straight ahead of me is a wide staircase, with a maroon rug running down its steps. Judging from the glimmer of the golden banisters, it’s tended to very well.

A faint jingling comes from above me. I look up and see a chandelier gently swaying. Lit flames dance wildly, and I wonder how they got up there.

“This can’t be real,” I say aloud.

“Oh, it is,” Kavian assures. “I realize that this kind of living space is not one you’re used to, but again, I’m sure it will meet your needs.”

Oh, it does. It meets my wants.

I turn at the sound of footsteps approaching from one of the many hallways breaking away from the foyer. A servant appears, his gait slowing as he spots me. He crosses his brows in confusion, tilting his head as his pupils run me up and down.

He must be wondering what a human is doing here. Gods I hope he’s not an asshole.

“Ah, Korval, there you are,” Kavian greets, slapping his hand hard on the servant’s shoulder. “Come here, there is someone I want you to meet. This is Meera, an ally in my fight against Gorran’s slave trade.”

I extend a hand to the servant, pleasantly surprised when he takes it. He even bows his head as we shake.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Meera. Will you be staying with us for long?”

Unsure of how to answer, I look for Kavian.

“For the time being, at least,” he says. “Is the premium guest room ready?”

“Yes sir.”

“Very well, I’ll show her to the room then. In the meantime, send word to the other servants that Meera is to be treated as an esteemed guest of the highest order.”

“Of course, sir. Will there be anything else?”

“See to it that a meal is brought to Meera’s quarters in about an hour’s time.”

---