Page 19 of Aria's Desire

“Both,” Kix murmured.

They were quiet after that, both lost in their own thoughts.

Even at thehigh speed at which they flew, it took most of the day before they reached the range of mountains the Queendom was hidden within, having followed the emissary’s tracker. The four following runners split off and concealed themselves in one of the numerous valleys below. They’d be within comm range but out of sight and, hopefully, far enough away to miss any perimeter patrols.

Kix navigated them into a narrow valley, then settled the runner under an overhang so they were concealed from above. Once they’d gathered their supplies and weapons, Kix set security measures on the runner, so it wouldn’t open for any but their own people, and they were off.

A couple hours of walking later, they knew they were close when they saw a massive, black shadow appear in the skies above. That was the signal: when Sin became visible, it was time for him and Kix to disappear.

Exchanging a nod with Kix, Tirox found a good place to hide their supplies, then stripped. Seeing that Kix was ready, he closed his eyes until he felt the tingle of invisibility spread over his body.

Invisible now and armed with only a single blade and comm each, they continued onward. Cresting the next ridge, Tirox stopped at the summit and stared at the sight before him. Not at the immense alien castle carved directly into the mountain face, nor the graceful spires and soaring towers rising high above.

No, his focus was fixated on his Aria as she climbed off of Sin’s back.

“By the Gods, she is magnificent,” he breathed.

She was always magnificent, but with the extra sight afforded to him from invisibility, he saw her with new eyes. She glowed, a halo of light surrounding her, brighter than any other’s. He’d always known her spirit was more radiant than anyone else's. Who could not know that? You only had to be in her presence for a moment to feel it. But to see it, to gaze at that aura surrounding her… He understood Sin’sim’erfor her now: His Light.

Kix, clearly as stunned as he was, let out a shuddering breath at his side and whispered, “By what twist of fate did we manage to convince her to Favor us? Stars above, she is breathtaking.”

Chuckling lowly, Tirox shook his head. “The Gods only know, my brother. I, for one, will not be questioning their judgment and will, instead, bask in my good fortunes.”

A low sound of amused agreement answered him. “Wise… for a barbarian.”

Grinning, his heart happy at having his friend back with him, Tirox started off down the mountain. The sooner they finished their reconnaissance of this Queendom, the sooner they could return to their mate’s arms.

For Tirox, that could not come soon enough. It had been less than a day and already he missed her something fierce.

Chapter 12

Aria gaped at the Queendom. She hadn’t known it was there until they were almost above it, and even then Rellik had to point it out to her. Below them, concealed within the safety of two massive peaks, was a castle carved directly into the rock of the mountain. The only way she could think to describe it was spectacular.

Everything was made from the white stone, making it look like something out of a fairytale: glittering and ethereal. Tall spires, arches, balconies, and bridges connecting the main structure to multiple other smaller towers, spread over the face of the mountain. It blended so well with its surroundings, and was tucked so neatly between larger peaks, you’d have a hell of a time finding it unless you were specifically looking for it… or following a tracker.

Rellik knew the way, but it had been a long time since he’d been at the castle. The tracker helped guide them, and told them Sidhir hadn’t made any side trips on his way.

An outer wall with evenly spaced guard towers enclosed a large area at the base, providing security to a variety of smaller buildings and what looked like an open air marketplace. Within that was another wall enclosing a smaller courtyard protecting the entrance to the castle itself.

Now that she knew what she was looking for, she gazed beyond the outer wall and spotted the terraced fields spread over the nearby mountain faces and what looked like distant, well concealed villages.

Aria could just make out the tiny figures of people tending those fields, herds of various animals roaming, and the houses built there.

Everyone she saw was dressed in whites and pale greys, including the farmers, which seemed impractical when it had to be a dirty job, but damn if it didn’t do wonders to make them all but disappear against the rock. Glancing back at the castle itself, she spotted horse-like animals pulling carts into the open gates of the outer wall, laden with a variety of goods for sale or trade.

The entire setup looked like something out of a Tolkien book: fantastical and alien. She could almost imagine there was real magic here… or elves. It was the kind of place where moon runes could exist.

That she was riding in on the back of a dragon that could shift into a man only deepened the sense of surreality. The realization that her life had essentially become something you’d read in a fantasy book had her shaking her head, a wry smile curling her lips.

Taking advantage of their invisibility, Sin made a loop around the mountain. Tucked away in a valley behind the main peak out of which the castle was carved was another enclosed area. This one looked to be where the army lived and trained. There were what appeared to be barracks, training arenas, and stables. She took note of the soldiers down there with a frown, seemingly going through drills like today was any other day.

She’d spotted the guards posted along both the outer and inner walls, and manning the towers, but that the Queen didn’t have more of her army stationed within the courtyards, even as a precaution, struck Aria as odd.

While part of her was glad there weren’t squadrons of soldiers awaiting them, in case things went south, it made her seriously question the Queen’s judgement.

The lack of visible safety measures spoke to a level of complacency that Aria found downright disconcerting. Just how careless and blasé had these people become in their seclusion? An army of inexperienced, untested soldiers wouldn’t do her any good, regardless of their numbers.

Aria knew if an outsider with unknown intentions was about to pay her complex a visit, she’d have numerous guards stationed in plain sight as a show of force and more still hidden away in case shit went pear-shaped.

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