Page 55 of A Blightress of Wrath
Agasp caught in my throat at the sight.Highabove the vast citadel,Icould see each purple roof, each canal, water a clear blue, that wove through the white stone buildings like threads of a tapestry.
Thestructures rose high into the air, each domed roof a variation of purple, pink, and blue.Eachbuilding a cascade of white stone arches and ornate carvings dressed in long flowing vines of green, some blooming petals of every colorI’dever seen.
Iheld onto the edge of the stone column, careful in leaning over the side of the short railing along the curved arch which led back into the room.Ifthere’d been clouds in the blue sky, we’d be inside them so high up in whatIassumed was the famousSpirethe city was named for.
Thevinstood within arm’s reach, his brows raised as he observed the city below.
“Ididn’t—”Istarted, attempting to reign in my awe and giddiness at the view. “It’sbeautiful,”Ifinished simply.
“Itis,” he agreed, his gaze turned to me, rather than the city.
Mycheeks flushed, and thoughI’ddeny it if he teased me,Iknew it wasn’t from the sharp breeze at my face.
“Thevin!”Ayelp came from the wide, open room behind us, and we turned as a breathtaking young woman came running, her arms wide, matchingThevin’sas she jumped into them, laughing and kissing his cheek.
“Ithought you weren’t arriving until the end ofFelgrenSummer!” she chastised playfully, stepping away from him only to shove his shoulder.
Hergolden curls were bound in a braid that had been woven over the top of her head, bundling into a knot at the back.Hereyes were a pale blue, her lips pink and thin, a becoming feature on her pointed face.
Thevinrubbed his shoulder, feigning offense. “Planschanged.Andyou don’t need to push me off theSpirebecause of them.”
Thebeautiful girl laughed, her voice steady and confident, ringing through the domed hall. “LikeIwouldn’t catch you before you fell.”Shemoved a hand to the sheathed sword at her side.
Hechuckled and turned to me. “Sae, meetLadyLannaof theSpire, daughter ofLadyLamoral.”
Mystomach might as well have been dropped out of the archway.Istruggled to settle the immense uneaseI’dfelt at the reunionI’djust seen, forI’dnever seenThevininteract with someone my age, let alone thisLadyof theSpirewho seemed to know him very well.
Ibit the inside of my lip and stepped forward, plastering a small smile on my face, bowing my head slightly with my hand out to greet hers.
Shewinked and pulled my hand toward herself, wrapping her arms around my waist and squeezing once.Shedidn’t let go, even though my body stilled in the shock and scent of her jasmine perfume. “Ihave been waiting, and waiting, and waiting to meet you,SaelynofFelgren.”Sheplanted a kiss on top of my head and stood back, taking my hands in hers as she looked me over.
“You’vebeen waiting to meet me?”Iasked, dumbfounded at who exactly this young woman was.
Shegave a halting scoff, turning toThevinwho stood nearby, his arms crossed, doing his best to suppress the amusement on his face. “Letme guess...”Shejabbed a thumb atThevin. “Thispiece of work hasn’t said a single thing about me to you in all those months he’s spent inFelgren.”Sheglared at him. “Tanningand lounging—getting into all kinds of mischief with you.”Sheleaned in close and murmured, “Pleasetell me it’s true that your wild lumens don’t care for him at all.”
“Iwouldn’t go that far,”Thevinstarted.
“Oh, hush, you,”Lannascolded, pulling her arm around my shoulder and swinging us away from him.
Shehad a good four inches on me, almost as tall asThevin, andIguessed she was older than both of us by a few years at least.Shesmiled down at me, weaving us through the crowd of peopleIdidn’t know.Isearched for my mother and found her just ahead of us.TheBaronspoke to an older man, about the age ofPah-Pah, who wore thin robes of gossamer silver, completed with a white high collar.
“Hello,BaronKarus,” theLadyLannasaid, nodding to my mother.
Mymother bowed her head back in greeting, her eyes darting between the both of us, landing on the hand that still gripped my shoulder.
Lannaaddressed the man, “ViceroyMediyr, meetSaelyn, daughter of theBaronofFelgren.”
Hebowed, sweeping his hand out in a gesture of honor.Whenhe rose again a kind smile grew across his golden skin.Ashort, white beard curved around his chin and jaw in the exact styleIknew well fromPah-Pah.Hisclay brown eyes were lined in that same black kohl and crinkled at the sides of his face.
BytheBaron,Ihadn’t been prepared for this.Inmere minutes,I’dseen my first city, met whoIassumed was royalty, and was being introduced to the most powerful people onArcaynenIsle.
Mymother took my hand, pulling me fromLanna’sgrip.
“It’snice to meet you,Viceroy,”Istated, mimicking a confidenceIwanted to portray, thoughIfelt foolish and irritatedI’dbeen brought here with no warning as to whatI’dface.
“Lady,Viceroy,” my mother said, “we’d like to take some time to settle in before the gathering begins tonight.Lanna, would you mind showing us to our rooms?”
Lannagripped her hands behind her back and nodded once. “Happyto,Baron.”
