Page 82 of Calling of the Crown

We finished getting dressed, and once we’d all reconvened at our horses, we rode the last mile to Queen Muna’s Kingdom. Though when I saw her Kingdom, I nearly fell off my horse.

We emerged from the trees and found ourselves at a cliff’s edge that fell far beyond what we could see. It was like we’d come to the edge of the world, and it simply ended, dropping straight down into endless clouds. And in the distance? That was all that could be seen, too. Big, pillowy, white clouds.

“Jesiah,” I started slowly. “Are you sure—”

Gold glitter suddenly swirled up from the ground next to the cliff, and as it rose higher, a figure formed. A man sporting a gold robe suddenly stood before us, and his blank eyes bore into mine.

“Who are you, and why have you come?” the man asked.

Clearing the shock from my voice, I held my head high. “I am Bria Damaris, Queen of Morardia. I seek an audience with Her Majesty Queen Muna.”

“Nonsense,” the man said. “The Queen has no time to speak with unannounced visitors. Return to Morardia at once.”

His tone was firm and final, and it made a pit of dread open up in my stomach.

No. I can’t just leave. Not like this.

I dismounted from my horse and approached the stranger. “Please, sir. I need to speak with Queen Muna. It’s urgent.”

“Did you not hear me?” the man snapped, his voice like thunder. “I said Her Majesty will not—”

“Evrik, that’s all right,” a melodic voice sang from the clouds behind the man.

The pillowy clouds parted until a wide cobblestone path suddenly formed in the open air, leading to a towering glass castle in the center of the sky. A round, dark-skinned woman stood on the cobblestone path. Gold and silver glitter dusted her black curls, and the flecks caught the light as she strolled gracefully toward us. When she neared the end of the path, I realized her eyes were ever-changing, cycling through every color of the rainbow, the color gone to the next before you could truly tell what shade they’d just been.

“Your Majesty!” the man—Evrik—exclaimed, bowing deeply at the waist. “I was just trying to explain to these Fae that you’re busy.”

“No need. I’d be delighted to speak with them.” She turned her smile to me. “It’s lovely to see you again, Bria. Though I’m sure you don’t remember me since you were only a baby when last we saw one another.”

“Your Majesty,” I said in awe. I bowed and dipped my head in reverence as Rune and the others did the same. “Forgive me for showing up suddenly like this.”

“There is no need to apologize. I knew you were coming. Please, rise.”

I did as she said, standing straight once more and meeting her lovely eyes. She stepped to the side and waved her hand at the pathway. “Care to walk with me, dear Bria?”

“Of course. Thank you.”

“Evrik, please make the rest of Bria’s party feel welcome. She and I have much to discuss.”

Queen Muna turned in a flutter of gold skirts and walked back toward her palace. I followed beside her, my nerves making my voice catch in my throat.

“So, what do you think of Ambrolia now that you’re finally here?” Queen Muna asked cheerfully.

I glanced over the edge of the cobblestone bridge at the endless clouds below. I didn’t know how high we were right now, but I inched closer to Muna, not wanting to find out.

“It’s beautiful and wonderful,” I finally answered slowly. “It’s also … sad.”

Queen Muna nodded. “The state of Ambrolia is far different these days. You have the long-held issues between Land and Water Fae, as well as dying knowledge. Like those tomes written in our old language that you found. So many lost wonders and powers.”

Eyes wide, I asked, “How did you know—”

Queen Muna chuckled. “I am Queen of all. I know much. I know how you found the books. I know how you work hard each day. And I know why you are here wanting to speak with me.”

I stopped walking, unable to move another inch as my hopeful gaze turned to meet hers. “So, will you—”

“I’m afraid I can’t get involved,” Muna apologized with a remorseful smile. “This fight is between Land and Water Fae, and I have to see life over all Fae. I can’t be biased and take sides.”

Everything inside me suddenly felt as though it had been drenched in frigid water and frozen. The air stopped moving in my lungs, and my vision nearly pitched forward as the world seemed to sway beneath my feet.

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