Page 80 of Of Storm and Emerald
The following two days were like walking through a thick fog, and before they knew it, they were walking the gangplank to the most beautiful ship that she’d ever seen.
It was small and sleek, and the color of shadows with small silver accents in the details.
“Welcome aboard, Your Highness. My Lord. My Lady.” The voice was light and airy, like a cool breeze through wildflowers, and belonged to a stunning woman. She looked to be around five-foot-ten, with stunning bronze skin and an abundance of coffee-colored curls that coiled and bounced around her face with every step. There was a stern look on her face, but her eyes gave her away. She was happy…but there was also a sparkle of mischief.
“My name is Captain Raneese Garreth, and this beauty is the Nevermore. Prince Daemon’s private vessel.”
Auraelia stopped in her tracks at the mention of Daemon. “Is–is the prince on board?”
“No, ma’am. This was a private voyage sanctioned by the queen.”
“Basically, we stole his boat.” A deep tenor coursed through the air.
Aiden.
Auraelia chanced a quick glance at Piper. To anyone else she would appear indifferent and aloof. But to Auraelia? She saw the tight clench in her jaw, the way she subtly pulled at her knuckles, and heat in her eyes that would make flames second guess their nature.
Clearing her throat, Auraelia directed her attention back to Aiden. “Lord Aiden.” Her tone curt and unfeeling.
He smirked. “Your Highness,” he said with a flourished bow.
Arrogant asshole.
“If you’d follow me, I’ll show you where your cabin is for the remainder of the trip. The journey only takes a day, so we should be there shortly after nightfall, as long as the wind is in our favor.” He paused a moment before throwing Auraelia a knowing look over his shoulder. “But you could help us out with that, couldn't you, Princess?”
Anger boiled in her veins, but before she could say anything, Xander cut in.
“She may not beyourprincess, Lord Aiden. But I will remind you that she is stillaprincess, and you will give her the respect she is owed.”
Aiden’s smirk dropped immediately, and he paled under Xander’s intense stare.
She smiled up at her brother. Xander was a typical older brother. Constantly picking on and pushing his baby sister, but he always had her back. Just as she always had his. And she was immensely grateful that he was here with her on this trip.
As they continued down the hall to their cabins, a barely suppressed giggle escaped from Piper.
When Auraelia gave her a questioning look, Piper grabbed her arm. A vision of Aiden tripping on nothing but air and falling onto his face flooded her mind.
As much as she loved that Piper could share her abilities and felt safer around other people as time went on and her magic stabilized, Auraelia didn’t think she would ever get used to the feeling. It felt like being held underwater, as milky clouds parted to show whatever image her friend needed to share.
When she released her arm, her vision cleared, and it was her turn to smirk.
Winking at Piper, she sent the tiniest gust of wind to trip up Aiden’s cadence–bringing Piper’s vision to fruition.
When he looked back at the two women, like twin minds, they both tilted their heads to the side and smiled.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Auraelia
Kalmeerawasbeautiful,evenunder the cover of darkness, and she now understood why Daemon told her that he could get lost in the swirls of the stars for hours. Out on the sea, the colors were bright and vibrant, and the sky looked clear enough that if you extended your arm far enough, you could reach them.
When they reached the port outside the city, she was stunned into silence. Tunnels so dark and narrow that you could barely see the different entrances were formed into the cliff face. The only thing breaking up their looming darkness was the water that crashed against the stone, and the hull of the ship. Glowing streaks of cyan-colored light shot through the inky depths. Lighting the way with every wave and movement of the creatures beneath the water's surface.
Auraelia watched in fascination as they made their way through the tunnels, and into the heart of Kalmeera.
When they reached the castle, it was near midnight and most of the staff had already retired for the evening. The few that remained, escorted Auraelia and her party to their rooms in the east wing.
They each had their own chambers, complete with personal bathing chambers, but Piper and Auraelia shared a common space between them. With the late hour, they hadn’t had the chance to explore their new surroundings, but the light of the moon through the windows illuminated the space enough to see.
