Page 82 of The Last Heir of Elsewhere

“That sounds messy,” I mused. “And violent.”

“For many years, it was. They used to cycle through kings as often as seasons.”

“All kings?” I asked. “Were there no queens?”

“The term “king” is not gendered there, as many of the Unseelie are fluid shapeshifters, or don’t ascribe to a humanoid gender. Anyone can be the ruler, but for many years now the position has been held by only one male. King Gancanagh.”

As if summoned by the king’s name alone, the shoreline emerged out of the mist on the horizon. It was still too far out to make out any distinct details, but mountains seemed to rise in the distance, like the back of a dragon, or the sharp points of the obsidian crown.

“I’ve heard of him,” I said vaguely.

“From Bael?”

I nodded. “And because of the dust. You trade your drugs with the kingdom, do you not?” I asked, tearing my eyes from the first glimpse of land I’d seen in a week.

“Yes,”Ambrose said. “And I won’t pretend that’s merely a ruse to cross the border. Gancanagh’s dust has been instrumental in the success of the rebellion thus far. In fact, we’ll be entering the kingdom because I have a meeting planned with the king, but it should also provide a good opportunity to search for Bael and Scion, as well as your mother.”

“Right,” I said nervously. “But do you not think anyone will question my presence there? Who am I meant to be?”

“Yourself,” he replied, as if it were obvious. “Believe me, King Gancanagh will not question why I’d have a hostage with me, especially one who matters to the royal family. He, himself, has two consorts.”

“I thought you just said that the king was the only one with power?”

“He is. The consorts don’t control anything. I don’t even know their names.”

I raised an eyebrow. “How is that possible when you’ve met them?”

“You’ll see when we arrive.”

The shore was well and truly visible now, and I stared out over the landscape of red-rock cliffs, and jagged mountains. It looked similar to the landscape of Aftermath, if perhaps, dryer. Where the valleys in the north were green and full of life, it didn’t look to me as if a single green thing had ever been seen growing in the sandy soil of Underneath.

"It’s beautiful," I remarked, my gaze lingering on the city's skyline, where the dying light cast sinister shadows that danced like specters against the rock face.

"Yes,” Ambrose replied with a bitter laugh. "Beautiful like a siren song. Alluring, yet deadly."

* * *

As dusk fell,we sailed into the bustling harbor of Underneath.

The harbor was set into an alcove in the rock face, mostly hidden until we were right upon it. The water itself glistened with a reddish sheen, no doubt caused by the red and orange sand that cascaded down the sides of the crimson mountains. It gave the harbor an almost blood-like appearance.

I hoped it was not an omen.

I leaned over the edge of the ship as we arrived, fascinated by the activity of the harbor.

Though it was evening, the docks bustled with life, like the market vendors had only just begun work for the day. Ships of every conceivable design jostled for space along the crowded docks—galleons with sails like the wings of giant moths, sleek vessels that shimmered with a pearlescent sheen, and rough-hewn barges that looked as if they'd been carved from the very bones of the earth. Still, our ship glided to a gentle stop, and was tethered securely by the deft hands of the crew. They moved as if they’d done this many times before–which, I supposed, they had.

Ambrose stepped up behind me and put a large hand on my lower back. “Ready?”

I turned my head to look up at him, and jerked back in surprise. He was wearing a long, black cloak with a hood pulled up to cover all of his gleaming silver hair, but that was not what startled me. “Why the mask?

“Because this will draw far less attention than my face would, I promise you.”

I cocked my head to the side, unable to imagine how that was possible. He was wearing the same stag-skull mask I’d first met him in, and it added a dark, powerful quality to him that was impossible to ignore.

“Everything will be fine,” he promised. “Underneath is only two thirds as frightening as everyone says.”

I stared at him, and it took me a long moment to realize he was joking. “Two thirds? So there are no dragons at every gate, or horrible Unseelie monsters lurking at every turn.”

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