Page 114 of What Lies Within Blood & Heirs

“Race you to the wine cellar,” speaking in Jade’s direction, Aiden’s face gleamed with mischief as he unbuckled his crimson cloak, allowing the thick fabric to pool on the floor.

Jade was a step ahead of him as she shed her cloak and draped it over a statue of Magnelis, scanning the hallways. Those green eyes squinted as if she could see through the darkness to the rooms within.

“Again, it must be said. The most deadly warriors in Elysian.” Alora grinned, shaking her head.

Garrik turned and gave them a slow, stern scan. “Do try to at least be convincing of our presence here. It would be pertinent if the rest of the castle believes us to be here under threat to Ladomyr.”

“Oh, no need to worry your delicious little head about it.” Aiden strolled close to Jade, who leaned against a display table. Tracing his finger along the surface, he smiled at her and rubbed his fingers together close to his nose. His face scrunched, eyes blinking a few times before a contorted expression twisted his mouth.

Aiden drew in a sharp breath as tears welled in his eyes … and sneezed directly onto Jade’s face.

“What, and I mean this from thedepthsof my heart,” Jade paused and briskly wiped her cheek, “the fuck?”

Aiden’s face blushed as he scratched the back of his head, shrugging. “Allergies?”

Shaking his head, Garrik’s mouth tightened as cutting sarcasm dripped from his voice. “As if I ever need to worry. Mypointentirely.”

Jade’s face remained as brutal as death, edging on something lethal, glowering at their sea captain. “Step away from me before I stab you.”

Palms lifted, Aiden cautiously backed away. “Someone’s in a mood.”

Thalon leaned on the wooden doors, boot pressed against the raven engraved there, inked arms crossed as he chuckled. “Glad to see that display in the ballroom changed nothing.” His gaze flickered to Garrik. “Draven’s soldiers are stationed outside the doors, and Deimon’s Wingborne is patrolling the skies. Ladomyr’s High Guard has been dismissed. Might we now discuss our plans for Blood?”

Straight to the point. After all, they hadn’t come to Kadamar for the infamous Hunt and festivities. And the sooner they found the sister stone, the sooner they could return to the safety of the legion.

“Not here.” Garrik moved toward the left staircase and tapped his ear, then pointed to the hallways above. Footsteps and clattering echoed as if many hands were at work deep inside. “Servants here gossip worse than a horde of mothers boasting of their sons.”

Someone strode out from a hallway as if the stars were in agreement. With a deep curtsy and the soft mumblings ofYour Highness, a young scarlet-haired faerie with fox-like ears and a tail lifted her burnished skirt and white apron, shuffling up the first staircase.

Everyone in the foyer waited until her slippers crossed the threshold of a darkened room. Garrik frowned, watching her, then twisted to his Shadow Order. “Dine, enjoy yourselves tonight.” Garrik’s eyes shifted to another maid scurrying atop the staircase with dark linens.Keep alert if opportunities arise. We will discuss Blood in the morning.

They each nodded, but Aiden’s face beamed brighter than the silver railings as he adjusted his belt with a toying grin.

Alora deciphered that look, having seen it in the ballroom when he’d laid eyes on a bronze-skinned female.

Garrik apparently did too and quickly added, “Your room will be at the other end of the castle.”

“Thank Maker of the Skies.” Thalon closed his eyes with a deep, relieved breath. “Here I thought I wouldn’t get any sleep.”

With an air of roguery, that smirk that irritated her wholly twisted up the side of Garrik’s face. “On second thought, perhaps I will room you two together. That should keep him from trouble.”

“Like that stopped him before,” Thalon’s retort was nothing short of a youngling’s whine.

Faelings,Alora thought.Big, muscled bodies with lethal weapons strapped to the sides of overgrown faelings.

Whole amusement flashed across Garrik’s features as silver drifted to her.Faelings certainly do not carrybigmuscles. Muscles you seem unable to stop thinking of, darling.

She ignored him. Ignored the heat flushing her cheeks and strode to Jade, daring to hook her arm through hers. “Shall we find our rooms before the males end up in bunkbeds together?”

Jade’s smirk widened, and she sharply laughed. “I thought you’d never ask.”

“Iwould rather die.” The door to Jade’s suite slammed with a loud bang, and her footsteps trailed deep inside.

Alora’s cheeks swelled as she stifled the small chuckle bubbling in her chest. Garrik had informed them of their expected attire for that evening’s dinner; trading in their battle leathers for something more appropriate for a royal spectacle.

It wasn’t long before Thalon disappeared through a threshold five doors down from Jade’s, leaving her High Prince to escort her to the end of the hallway. Aiden had, indeed, received a room at the other end of the castle. And before Garrik left her to her privacy, he was sure to inform her that his rooms were at the very top of the staircases.

Shimmering light invaded her chambers, drifting in through windows that seemed to be portals into another world. And beside those windows stretching the entire length of the outer walls, Alora couldn’t help but glide through the crystal doors and marvel into the beyond.

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