Page 190 of XOXO

“I love how we’re always talking about Asher’s nuts,” Cash said and everyone but me bursted out with laughter.

For a few minutes, surrounded by my friends whom I considered family, I had completely forgotten about the mission.

After breakfast, Ember went off with Cinder who’d run out of some ingredients she needed to finish baking. I took that as an opportunity to do what I needed to do.

I was off to see a man about a present. Not just any man. An extremely large, ancient God with the knowledge of a thousand men.

King Reign’s castle was located hundreds of miles south of the same landmass I resided on, so taking a portal wouldn’t be an option. Galing—an action of opening a portal in my mind and moving my body to any destination I envisioned at rapid speed—was our most used transportation when staying in the same country. Unfortunately, the king’s castle had a magic barrier protecting him and his guard from any enemies swiftly approaching. With the wards spanning a two-mile radius around the perimeter, I wouldn’t be able to gale too close to the castle.

Galing as close as I could to Castle Elderfall wasn’t close enough. The chilly morning air slowed my muscles, sending a chill through me, and I swiftly remembered why we rarely visited the king in the winter. By the time the gray stones of the castle came into my sight, my teeth were chattering.

Surrounded by red maple trees, Castle Elderfall was the pinnacle of strength and beauty, well fortified with towers and battlements, though the king didn’t need them.

With the other nine Primordial Gods sleeping, King Reign harnessed their powers, able to use every form of magic the Moon Goddess blessed them with. Other than wind, water, and fire magic, the god had excessive strength, mind control capabilities, could gale inside of the wards, and see any visions of what any citizen had done in the past by simply taking their hand. I’m sure he had more powers I was unaware of. A god amongst men, he had them all. But the one I hated the most . . . he could still hear our thoughts while we were shielding.

There were no guards posted outside the castle when I ascended the stairs, the giant doors magically opened on their own.

When I stepped onto the crimson rug of the foyer, the warmth of the inside hit me. The king’s personal servant quickly laid a fur pelt across my shoulders.

“Welcome, Valarian. Our Majesty has been expecting you.”

“Of course he has.”

Meyers was a stout man with short white hair, light blue Angel eyes, and a fair complexion. He died long ago and was accidentally brought back by the king. They are now bonded and have been friends for thousands of years.

“He is all knowing.” Meyers smiled with a look of pride on his face before gesturing his hand toward the left. “Follow me, my lord.”

I took a few slow breaths, relaxing my burning lungs before trailing behind him. The corridor we entered proudly displayed the king’s colors with crimson rugs, drapes, and chairs.

Taking a right, we trekked through the hallway lined with marble statues, each resembling the Primordial Gods. As I passed the seven foot tall figures, I couldn’t help but glance at the statue of Tartarus, the God of the Demons, knowing one day we would have to battle to the death if the Demons were able to wake him.

A few more turns later, we approached the throne room, those doors also opening on their own.

Meyers hastily went down the crimson runner, taking roost near the king. He clasped his hands in front of him, ready to give the same introduction he always does.

“Welcome to Castle Elderfall, currently residing is His Majesty, King Reign, God of the Angels.”

I bowed my head.

“Thank you, Meyers. You are dismissed. Valarian, you may rise.”

Meyers left through a door in the back right corner, and the king locked his blue eyes on me.

“Your thoughts are loud and have been echoing in my head since you crossed my wards. You have tremendous worries over a present?” He shook his head, his long black hair falling off his shoulders.

“I do, Your Majesty.”

He shifted his massive body, uncrossing his legs and extending an arm. “Let me understand everything you have done.”

With a sigh, I approached the king and placed my hand in his, knowing he was about to witness my memories.

The warmth from his magic spread through my palm and up my arm as the king’s once blue eyes widened, before turning silver, then gold. Watching my memories, he looked concerned before a small smile pulled up his cheeks. His mouth fell agape and then he chuckled before his eyes turned back to blue.

“One lesson from this week is to never take advice from Cash or Asher. Even though Cash’s plan had not worked, it looked like you had a blast attempting to make Ember lower her shield at the training center.”

Heat radiated to my cheeks. Shit.

“It’s okay, Valarian. I stopped watching the minute I knew where that sparring was leading. But the portal rides, really? You’re lucky Ember didn’t stab you again.”

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