Chapter 3
ARRIVING AT STAVROK’S kingdom was like driving through another dimension. The streets were clean, the houses were all brightly lit and smoke billowed from the chimneys.
His people were obviously wealthy, and it made my stomach churn to think of how my mother and I had lived for so long. The struggle of our friends and neighbors. The taxes on the people. My people, now.
When the carriage rolled to a stop outside the actual castle, I got out and stared up at the incredible monument in front of me.
Wow.
The idea that I was invited as a guest to such a place, still felt like a dream.
“This way, sire.” A servant took my clothes and walked ahead, up the stairs before me.
I followed him, looking around and absorbing the atmosphere of the place. And once we stepped inside and the
