Lorien’s POV
Nestled in the valley between two towering mountains stood a castle so breathtaking that the air left my lungs.
“This is beautiful,” I whispered, turning slowly to take it all in.
Auren’s hand was still locked around mine, firm but grounding, and I didn’t want him to let go. Both of us were on edge in this foreign land, and his touch offered a comfort I hadn’t felt since my parents’ deaths.
We followed the cobblestone path, weaving beneath stone arches where bridges crisscrossed high above us, connecting the upper tiers of the Fae city. People leaned over the balustrades to stare down at us curious, silent, assessing. My pulse quickened, and I pressed closer to Auren’s side, half-expecting an arrow or a spell to come flying at any second.
Maybe this had been a mistake. Ma
