Page 72 of I Summon the Sea

“You should get ready for the banquet,” Arkin says.

Slowing down, I glance around, trying to figure out where I am. I’m not even sure which way we followed earlier. The Sea Palace is a maze.

Then his words filter through my buzzing head, and I stop in my tracks. I turn around to face him.Banquet?

“The first ceremonial banquet with the winners of the first trial. Didn’t anyone give you a rundown of the program?” He tsks, his gaze flicking down. “Or are you going barefoot?”

Damn.I glance down at my feet, wiggle my bare toes, then look back up as a group of fae men and women pass by, whispering and laughing. Will the king be there?

One of the fae ladies is batting her lashes at Arkin, and he grins at her. He isn’t paying attention to the conversation we’re having.

Then again, it’s not a conversation but rather a one-sided monologue with glares and eye-rolls as the only contribution from my side.

Let him be distracted. The peacock-hued lady sidles toward us, not sparing a single glance for me, her green-and-turquoise skirts swishing on the floor, her dark hair piled up on her hair and secured with lapis lazuli pins. Her fan is spread to hide her smile, decorated with an image of the Pillar with draks in the background.

Nice fan.

At least Arkin has good taste—in decorated fans. Not sure about his taste in women. And what about Neere?

Why should it matter to me?

While he’s distracted, I skulk away, my feet noiseless on the carpets and perfectly fitted marble slabs.

As soon as I’m out of his line of sight, I start to run. I cross two grand halls along a long, bare gallery, much to the astonishment of the gathered fae. Glancing over my shoulder, I’m certain I’ll see Arking running after me.

But he’s not. I’ve lost him.

Stopping for a breath, I look around. The Royal Apartments are up, so I need to find the staircase leading there.

I take off again, wondering if I’m crazy thinking I will find the way there, that despite a spell crushing my magic so thoroughly, I will be able to get close enough to the king to stab him.

But then I see it. I skid to a stop, hardly able to believe my eyes.

It’s a spiral staircase made of white marble, the banister wrought of entwined black and gold bands, depicting draks chasing one another. The banister is smooth under my palm when I touch it, as are the steps under my feet. I have to gather up my dress a few inches so as not to trip over the hem.

The walls around the staircase are adorned with carvings of more dragons, and trees on whose branches birds, moths, and snakes twine. Images from the fae homeland? Sacred images? Images of the wilderness the fae love so much?

Further up, at the end of the staircase, stand two winged statues made of black ebony and gold, humanoid but at the same time alien, their large eyes crafted of some blue stone and their chests studded with gems. They represent Eosphors, revered by the fae, much like the dragons.

But these statues are a positive sign. I have a good feeling about this. I’m heading in the right direction. Up here must be the king’s apartments.

The feeling intensifies when I step on lush carpets, so thick my feet sink into them. The space expands around me, with tall ceilings and chandeliers dripping gold and crystals, leading to an arched gateway.

High windows open on either side, gold-and-black tapestries hanging between them, bearing various coats of arms. Gold-and-ebony chairs rest against the walls.

Yes, this place has a royal feel to it, much more luxurious than the lower floors with their alcoves and parlors. This is like a golden cage. Even the windows have golden bars blocking them, and the ceiling is covered in a golden filigree net.

Yet the stairs were unguarded, so where are?—?

“Where do you think you’re going? Stop right there.” A spear bars my way, seemingly coming out of nowhere, followed by a bulky fae male with a crooked nose that’s obviously been brokentoo many times. “How did you get in here? Why didn’t the spellwork stop you?”

Spellwork? There were enchantments to stop intruders? I had no idea.

Good question.

Another appears on my other side. “Well, well…” He bares those sharp fae teeth at me. One of his incisors is missing. “Look what the draks dragged in…”

Royal guards. Their uniforms are… over the top, that’s for sure, their helmets tall and sitting like urns on top of their heads, draped with golden rope and medallions. Their epaulets are stiff and dripping tassels, while their jackets and pants are embroidered with bold red, yellow, and blue on black with the symbols of the fae empire—dragons, serpents, trees, and, of course, the Pillar.

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