Page 102 of The Blood Traitor

The windfunneling was once again an unpleasant experience, and when they arrived at their destination, Kiva wobbled as her sea legs became accustomed to dry land again. Zephyr, agitated by the magic — or just owing to his waspish temperament — snapped his teeth at her, so she frowned and murmured, “Behave,” before turning her attention to the view.

Where Ersa had been a city made of dark sandstone in the midst of a blackened desert, Lyras was its polar opposite. Nestled in a sunken valley, the capital was comprised of pale buildings leading to a large, crystalline palace, all surrounded by what looked like snowcapped peaks. But Kiva knew it wasn’t ice dusting their summits — Valorn was the only kingdom in Wenderall to lay claim to entire ranges of salt mountains. Formed atop naturally shifting mineral deposits, the treacherous slopes were notorious for killing even the most intrepid of hikers, largely due to the volatile earth constantly moving and creating unplottable — and deadly — crevices.

Looking at the mountains, Kiva shivered, especially as she took in one rising above them all, its white tip pointing skyward like a beacon warning fools away.

“Those look like the m-mountains around Z-Zalindov,” Tipp said, his voice uneasy. But then he grew excited as he focused on the city and asked, “Is their p-palace made out of ice? Doesn’t it m-melt?”

“Not ice, kiddo,” Caldon said. “It’s refined salt, laced with luminium. Same for most of the buildings here. Visually, this city has no equal in all the kingdoms.”

Lyras was beautiful, for sure, but Kiva was still partial to Vallenia and its golden River Palace. She refused to consider whether that was because of the city itself, or the people who ruled it.

Ashlyn led her horse forward until she was in front of the group. “I’ve been debating whether it’s worth us seeking out the anomaly village this time,” she said, “given that we haven’t had any luck so far. But this is the last settlement Galdric heard Navok mention, so we might as well see the plan through. We’re also a lot further away from Mirraven here — the villagers might feel safer talking, especially if we tell them where we’re from.”

Valorn, Kiva knew, was one of Evalon’s strongest allies, along with the southernmost kingdom of Nerine. If there was a chance that theirclose relationship might convince the villagers to trust them, then Ashlyn was right about it being worth the attempt.

“Same groups as last time,” the princess declared. “I’ll go with Eidran, Galdric, and Tor to the village, while the rest of you meet with Queen Issa and Lady Silence.”

“Lady S-Silence?” Tipp asked.

“Issa’s adviser,” Ashlyn answered.

Seeing the puzzled looks on both Tipp’s and Kiva’s faces, Jaren edged closer and shared, “Issa’s mother died during childbirth, and her father passed away unexpectedly a few years ago, leaving her as their only heir. But she’s not yet of age, so Silence acts as both mentor and counsel, signing off on any decisions she makes. We won’t see one without the other.”

“Wewillsee a lot of very adoring courtiers, though,” Caldon said, and Kiva couldn’t tell if he was eager or resigned. “It’s an offense to say no to Valornian hospitality, so if they offer you something, best to accept, even if you don’t want whatever it is.”

Jaren noticed Kiva’s worried look and said, “Within reason.”

She nodded and shifted away from him, causing frustration to flash across his features. Kiva ignored him, still seeking to protect them both, and asked Galdric, “It’s getting late — is the anomaly village far?”

He answered, “Further than the last two. But we should make it by nightfall.”

Kiva pointed to the thunderheads gathering beyond the nearest mountains. “You need to keep an eye on those clouds.”

Torell and Eidran frowned up at the sky, while Ashlyn cursed quietly and said, “I was hoping we’d return in time for us to all stay together tonight, but it looks like we’ll have to find an inn again.” She brushed her pale hair over her shoulder and sighed. “I guess we’ll meet you back here in morning.”

They hashed out a few more details before the four anomaly hunters mounted their horses and rode away, heading toward a gap in the mountain range. Kiva and her group also moved out, but toward the city. Like Ersa, Lyras had no fortified wall — the mountains themselves provided a natural deterrent to any would-be attackers — but they were intercepted by a group of patrolling guards who, as with the previous cities, escorted them straight to the palace.

Up close, the salt-and-luminium combination was truly unique, making the crystalline architecture seem otherworldly. Even after Kiva and her companions relinquished their horses to the servants and stepped inside, the interior remained like something out of a dream, with white marble pathways meeting pillars that spiraled up to frosted ceilings dusted with countless luminium orbs.

Kiva struggled not to gape as they were led along the spacious hallways, but she did manage to adopt an unapproachable air when a trio of tittering courtiers headed for them, their formal gowns and perfect styling making her aware of her travel-worn appearance. Her time on the ship had at least allowed her a chance to thoroughly wash her clothes — and her body — but still, there was a vast difference between the splendor of what the women wore and her own functional leather outfit.

She mentally shook her head, wondering why she even cared. It didn’t matter how she looked. All of her companions were in the same boat, even if both Jaren and Caldon seemed to somehow make their armor look better than anyone else’s.

Jaren especially.

Stop it,Kiva scolded herself, grateful when their guard escorts waved off the courtiers before they could come any closer.

After a lengthy walk through endless hallways and up pale stone staircases, the guards delivered them to a comfortable receiving room with cream-colored armchairs facing an impressive white-oak desk. Behind it sat a girl who couldn’t have been more than twelve years old, her brown skin, unruly hair, and impossibly large eyes making her seemeven younger. Standing just behind her and to the side was a sternlooking woman with graying hair and square spectacles on her nose. Her intimidating expression warmed, however, when she saw who it was who had interrupted their day.

“Prince Deverick, what an unexpected pleasure,” Lady Silence said, smiling widely. “And Prince Caldon, too. How lovely.”

Kiva searched for a lie in her voice, but she seemed genuinely delighted to see them.

“Jaren, it’s been far too long,” Queen Issa said, hurrying out from behind her desk and throwing her arms around him in a welcoming hug, prompting Kiva to fight an irrational surge of jealousy.

“You’re looking a little green there, Sweet Cheeks,” Caldon murmured from beside her. “Envy isn’t your color.”

She shot him a look, prompting a quiet chuckle in response. The sound made the young queen pull away from Jaren and then launch herself at Caldon, which, frustratingly, didn’t bother Kiva at all. In fact, she found it rather endearing that Issa was so familiar with the princes. Lady Silence, however...

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