The Warrior King

Nineteen

The huge dark red doors that led into the castle were already open. When we walked through, four guards fell in behind us. By the way they were dressed in all black with red trim, I knew they were part of the Elite. I glanced back at them nervously. Sarah noticed and linked arms with me.

”As the Chamberlain’s Lady and the Queen Betrothed, we are required to each have two of the Elite with us at all times. When you become queen, you will have no less than six with you. Don't worry, you get used to having them around, ” Sarah explained. I simply nodded and glanced over my shoulder at the stone-faced young men. Brielle looked over her shoulder as well and gave the men a wink. None of them so much as blinked. Brielle shrugged and we continued into the castle.

The floor of the entranceway was white marble and pillars ran the length of each wall. Each pillar was easily six feet around. They held up an enormous ceiling with a mural of the founding of Miel painted across it in rich, vibrant colors. Light streamed in through the six stained glass windows representing six of the seven districts and at the end, a mosaic had been placed in the floor representing the seventh, the Iron district.

I was overwhelmed by the simple beauty and intricate details I saw in everything around us. Of course I had seen drawings in the books my parents kept but this hardly compared.

At the end of the entryway, two staircases curved down on each side of the castle. The stairs were also made of marble and iron rods held up matching marble banisters.

”How do they keep everything so clean?” Brielle muttered to me under her breath.

”They don't allow people like you and me in here, ” I replied. Brielle giggled and Sarah looked at us quizzically. It felt wrong not to tell her what we said, so I did, cringing a bit. To my surprise, Sarah laughed.

”You aren't the first people to say that, ” Sarah assured us. ”The stone has some sort of magical property that makes it unable to stay dirty. The earliest kings found it helpful when bloody battles were taking place here.”

”That is surprisingly practical, ” I said. ”I was expecting more of a ’made from the teeth of fairies’ type of story.”

”No that would be the Crown Jewels, ” Sarah said. I blanched and she laughed. ”I am only teasing. While Tristan is not overly fond of them, fairies do serve their purpose in our realm. He would never allow them to be harmed.” She spoke of the mystical creatures as if they were any other normal resident and not highly elusive and a bit mysterious.

”Have you ever met a fairy?” Brielle asked. Her ears had perked up at the mention of fairies. She had a lifelong fascination with them.

”Several actually, ” Sarah replied. ”Their ruling body convenes with the rest of the rulers twice a year for Assembly. The next one is set for the same time as the royal enlace.” Brielle squealed at the prospect of finally meeting fairies.

Shelby led us up the staircase on the right of the entryway and then down a long hallway. The inside walls were lined with all kinds of artwork, while the outside walls had tall narrow windows that let in an adequate amount of light. About a third of the way down the hall, we stopped and Sarah opened the door into a large room.

”This will be your room Brielle, ” she said as we stepped in.

”It’s beautiful. And huge!” Brielle exclaimed, twirling around in the space. The floor had transitioned to a dark stone and beautiful woven rugs helped to warm the space. Off to one side was a large bed made with beautiful lavender linens. More pillows than I think were in our entire house were piled high on the bed. Next to a large window was a plush chair and a small table, perfect for sitting and reading. A large fireplace was opposite the bed.

”Look Sasha! My own bathing room!” Brielle had gone through a door next to the fireplace and was standing in another large room, complete with a tub big enough for two people. ”I’ve always had to share with my brothers. This is beyond amazing!” She grabbed my hands and twirled me around.

”Let’s show you to Sasha’s room and then you ladies can get cleaned up and rest before dinner, ” Shelby said, leading the way out of the room.

We went back down the hallway to the landing of both set of stairs and then took the left hallway. This hallway had rooms on both sides and at the end was another stairway. The doors on either side right before the stairs were identical with ornate carvings. Shelby unlocked the door on the right and allowed me to go in first, pushing the heavy door open in front of me. I gasped at the size of the space.

”Wow Sasha, you could fit our whole town here, ” Brielle said in amazement. ”But where is your bed?” Shelby chuckled.

”This is just the parlor. Through those doors are the bedroom and bathing room, ” she said, gesturing toward a set of double doors. I went and pulled the doors open.

”Oh my, ” I said softly. The room was bigger than the parlor. Like Brielle’s room, it had a sitting area but this sitting area included two plush chairs, a settee, two end tables and a coffee table. The bed was in the same place as well except it was massive. Brielle let out a low whistle.

”That is a lot of bed for one person, ” she said. I rolled my eyes and tried not to think about who would possibly accompany me in the bed.

The fireplace was also larger than the one in Brielle’s room and I began to sense a pattern. The bathing room was also massive and at one end was a large wooden wardrobe. I opened it to find my personal items from home already stored. It was almost embarrassing to see the few clothes I owned hanging in a space meant for an abundance of finer clothing. I shut the door to the wardrobe quickly but not before Sarah had come up behind me and looked in.

”Do not even worry about it, ” she said softly so only I could hear. ”I know that it feels wrong to be where you are, but I promise you are exactly where your destiny wants you.” Tears sprang to my eyes and she gently rubbed my back.

”Five years ago I was in the same place you are, ” she continued. ”I was convinced that Keaton’s bonding ability was broken and he practically had to kidnap me to convince me otherwise. He had zero interest in what I thought were my shortcomings and took the time to show how much he really cared for me, that our bond was real. Give it time and Tristan will do the same.” I simply nodded, quickly wiping away the tears before the others saw.

”Sasha! Shelby said tomorrow we can go to the clothiers for whole new wardrobes! And she said they are going to announce you as Queen Betrothed tonight at dinner! Isn't this thrilling?!” Brielle was practically bouncing out her skin. I smiled and nodded, trying to silence the nagging voice in the back of my mind.