Page 29 of Blood of Dragons
Ezra moved his hands behind his back. “Only those who serve in the army are allowed to be armed. As I said before, Riviana Star is a peaceful place. There are no crimes committed here so no need for defense.”
“I wasn’t going to wear my sword,” I said. “I was probably just going to put it in a closet or…” I stopped talking at the look on my uncle’s face, how the distrust moved into his eyes. “Keep the sword. I’m just used to having it.”
General Ezra’s shoulders visibly relaxed. “Sleep well, Calista. I’m always at your disposal if you need anything.” He said goodbye to Commander Luxe before he walked away—and entered the royal chambers where the queen entered just fifteen minutes ago.
Commander Luxe pulled his eyes away from my face and took the lead. “Follow me.”
I stared at the royal chambers a moment longer before I followed Luxe’s trail, watching his cape ripple and move as his shoulders and back shifted under his clothing and armor. I kept several feet between us, following him through the glow of the fireflies. Now that night had descended, the forest had turned quiet, fewer elves outside their homes.
When I looked up toward the canopy, I saw the houses along the trunks, the staircases that were wrapped around the trees made out of vines. They were tree houses, suspended high into the air, sometimes close to the canopy.
I’d never been afraid of heights, but I’d never slept a hundred feet into the air.
It was a long walk, turning right after we reached the market and taking a trail to a different part of the forest. The carts were still full of produce and baked goods, but you couldn’t steal something that was free.
The sound of the birds had died away when the sun had set, but the quiet music continued. “Does the music stop?”
He didn’t answer my question right away, walking several feet before he answered. “No.”
“Oh.” How did everyone sleep?
“You’ll get used to it.” He finally came to a halt at a tree, a tree house seventy feet in the air. “This is your new home.” He stepped onto the vine, the cord slightly bouncy, and effortlessly moved up and around the trunk of the tree.
I watched him move without effort, so I tried to do the same, but I tripped forward and landed facedown on the vines. I bounced for a second before I used the trunk as a crutch to get myself back to my feet.
Commander Luxe stood there, clearly having witnessed the whole thing.
“Let me guess. I’ll get used to this too.”
“Use the bounce of the vines to drive you forward. It allows you to scale to the top much quicker.” He was a hundred pounds heavier than me, even heavier with that armor, but he carried himself on the springy vines like it was solid ground.
We continued to make the climb, and despite taking his advice, I fell several times. Thankfully, I didn’t fall toward the edge and topple over. I gripped the vines until they stopped bouncing before I tried to get up again. When I lifted my hand, I saw his bare palm, his glove removed.
I didn’t want to take it, not when I had so much pride.
“Let me show you.”
I released a sigh in frustration before I took it.
“There’s no shame in asking for help.” He gripped my hand and pulled me up, but his hand didn’t drop once I was upright. He continued to hold it, staying on the outside of the path so I wouldn’t tumble over the edge. “Like this.” He took one step and then the next, pulling me with him so I would match his cadence and bounce.
I almost tripped once or twice, but after a few minutes, it started to make sense.
He released my hand and let me go alone.
I stared down at my feet and watched the vines as I took my steps, one palm against the trunk for balance. Soon I didn’t need the trunk anymore and I glided upward, feeling the increase in momentum without exerting more energy.
I made it to the wraparound patio and the front door. A fence was erected around the premises so I wouldn’t accidentally fall over if I came outside to water the plants that were already in their pots.
Commander Luxe passed me and entered the dwelling. There was no lock or key. It was just open…all the time.
It was a humble abode, a living room with a couch and an armchair, with a bed against the opposite wall. In the other room was the kitchen and the dining table, a nook under the window that was ideal for reading and sunbathing.
“These tree houses are reserved for singlets. If you find a life partner or have children, bigger accommodations will be granted to you.” He opened the closet. “Your clothing is here. Food has already been placed in the cabinets. The pipes have hot water.”
“How is that…?”
“We use the root system of the trees.”