Page 38 of Curse of Thorns
The clinking of heels alerts me to someone approaching, and my stomach does summersaults as Caelynn nears. Her hair is pulled back and decorated with tiny glowing gemstones that look like pixies.
Her dress is a simple sea green, low cut, and cinched at the waist, hugging her gentle curves. There are several strands of curls that fall down her bare back. She wears a string of lovely gemstones around her neck.
My mind jumps to the Lumistone still in my pocket.
Tyadin walks beside her, wearing an ensemble of war-ready armor. Leathers and golden chest plate. All he’s missing is a helmet and battle-ax.
I raise my eyebrows as he approaches. “Who are we fighting tonight, friend?”
Ty smiles. “Anyone we want.”
“Preferably no one,” Caelynn adds seriously. I smirk at her and red crosses her cheeks. I pretend not to notice.
“You look good,” I tell them both. Tyadin’s attire is less traditional but still formal in appearance. I quite like it actually. He’ll stand out but in a good way.
Tyadin nods, and that’s all the small talk my odd crew has in them tonight. We walk together down the dark hall and find a carriage waiting for us. The last gift the Crumbling Court offered was the use of a mahogany carriage adorned with lovely yellow gemstones. It’s very clear which court it belongs to, which is exactly the point.
The Crumbling Court wants to show off that they’re hosting the Luminescent Court prince, Trial of Thorn's victor, and potential High Heir. I don’t mind. I’m used to the politics. And a little added reputation is the least I can do after my behavior the other night.
Once we head inside the carriage, the world around us disappears, and for just a little while, it’s only me, Ty, and Caelynn. The two people I trust most in the world. As odd as that is.
As soon as the carriage begins making its way, Tyadin grins and pulls out a bottle. “To help us loosen up a bit,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows.
“You’re so lame,” Caelynn says, but her lips curl into an amused smile.
He pops the lid of the fire whiskey and takes a swig before handing it to Cae. “Wait!” she says. “We’re not going over that narrow stone bridge in this thing, are we?”
Ty laughs. “No, we’re taking a different route. You two took the back-way in.”
“Good,” she says, and her shoulders relax. I chuckle.
“What?” she spits, her eyes shining with that lovely gold I’ve come to adore.
“Oh, nothing.” I grab the bottle and take a long swig.
Our journey to the High Court will be significantly longer than I’m used to. The Luminescent Court has a portal directly there—all of the ruling courts do. They’re highly guarded and blocked until invited by the queen, but they make it convenient for travel to and from the High Court. A few minutes ride, and we’re there.
The Crumbling Court doesn’t have any portals at all, unfortunately. We had considered traveling the thirty miles to the Schorchedlands portal then to the Luminescent Court and through their portal. We decided instead to request passage through the Crystal Court’s portal. It’s essentially the same distance, but it allows us to avoid my father.
The Crystal Court was easy to contact. I sent a quick note to Kari via falcon. She set it all up in a matter of minutes, and I heard back within the hour that our passage was set.
So, now, we’ll need to spend an hour in the carriage before reaching the portal, but with good company and fire whiskey, I find myself glad to have this time away from prying eyes and expectations. It’ll be short-lived, but the laughter we share is just the tonic I need.
***
HALF THE BOTTLE OFfire whiskey is gone before the Crystal Court is in sight. The castle is tall, nearly the whole thing made of purple crystal, shooting haphazardly into the sky. If I didn’t know better, I’d think it was a strange mountain, as opposed to a castle. As we get closer, though, we can see more details that give it away. Windows and balconies and flags flying on the topmost towers.
“Wow,” Caelynn breathes.
“Never seen it?” Ty asks.
She shakes her head. “I can count the courts I’ve been to on one hand. This was not one.”
“I’ve only seen it from a distance,” Ty says. “There’s a mountain pass just to the north of the palace that’s common enough for dwarfish travels and had a good vantage. I’ve never been through its gates, though. I didn’t think I ever would. But then again, I never thought I’d be living inside the Crumbling Court palace either.”
“Life is never quite what we expect,” Caelynn says, staring out the window as we glide smoothly down the mountain pass. “Good or bad. It’s never what we expect.”
I sit back in the seat and lay my head back. My mind already spinning. We’re getting close now. Soon, those prying eyes will stick to me. They’ll ask questions.
