Page 53 of The Powers of Nyx
You’ll get used to it,Maeve said. I almost jumped at her voice, but my magic remained a calm presence in my chest.The Seer is an...interesting character.
“I think I’m okay,” I replied slowly. The weight of their attention felt like a pressure on my shoulders, and I tried to ignore it. “It’s...different.”
TheSeernodded and waved a hand flippantly. “You’re in for a real treat. Right, Greer?” She winked up at the Queen.
Queen Greer nodded and laughed breathily. Like the last time I’d seen her, she looked exhausted. The bags under her eyes were heavy and bruised, and her skin was pale and splotchy beneath the lights. Her hair was pulled back, but silver strands framed her face, and if I looked carefully, it appeared her mates were the only thing holding her up.
A wave of guilt slammed into me. As if sensing it, the Queen sighed. “Perhaps it might be best if we take this upstairs. It should be more comfortable for everyone.”
Murmuring in agreement, we followed as Greer and her mates guided us into the actual palace. We stepped into a grand foyer, one with a small waterfall statue framed by stone mermaids, and a wall of flowers that bloomed as we passed. I wanted to take it all in, but we left it behind to enter what looked like an elevator. It was large enough to fit all of us, though it was a little tight, even with Elias holding Ginny, and Maisie in my arms.
“At the turn of the century, we chose to adapt the palace and the island with technologies from your world,” Queen Greer explained. “Cars are useful, as are these elevators. No longer must we climb a thousand stairs to reach the towers.”
“I can agree with that,” I replied, heart racing as the elevator stopped.
Thea leaned in over my shoulder. “Does that mean coffee machines exist here?”
“Most appliances do,” one of the Queen’s mates said. Thea jumped away from me and laughed nervously. Either he was a shifter, or a vampire. He was the one with the silver-eyes and deep, ebony skin.
Vampire, my mage told me.That’s Sir Amais. He was one of my mother’s first mates. Adrian would need to give me a full overview later.If all were here, then that meant Greer had nine mates’ total.
I shuddered.Nine. And having that many meant more power, from memory.
Another, one with silver-white hair, eyed me warily before looking away. And then there were the others, all so different only having one thing in common: Queen Greer and the bond they shared with her.
We piled out of the elevator and my mouth popped open at the sight. We’d been let out in an open courtyard that overlooked the waterfall.
Maisie wiggled in my arms, and I put her down carefully, my eyes glued on the blue-grey crashing water and the lake beneath it. There were people down there; some swam while others lounged on a stone pavilion that bordered the lake. Something with tentacles breached the surface before going back under.
The rest of the courtyard was just as beautiful. Everything was stone; arches decorated with pink roses and dark ivy; benches spread sporadically throughout; tall hedges blocking parts of the area, with fountains and statues dotting the rest. No one else was up here, though, so we were basically alone. But I could imagine it filled with people and magic.
“Come,” Queen Greer commanded, guiding us into a hallway of the palace. It was lined on one side with large windows that overlooked the courtyard, while the other had doors dotting the length and portraits hanging from the wall. The portraits were of Greer and her mates, though we didn’t get a chance to stop andlook. I was a little curious about them, but more than ready to finally rest.
We didn’t follow the entire length, instead stopping at a set of double doors that opened silently without being touched.
A shudder ran through me.Just another thing to get used to.
A hand, cool and soft, brushed mine. It sent a wave of assurance through me, and when I looked over, I found Maeve watching me.And yet you’re doing well. Your emotions are calm, and your magic is stable. It might be an adjustment, but you aren’t overwhelmed. That’s something.
Swallowing, I offered her a smile.It feels good, being in control. Finally being here.
But saying that, I wasn’t sure I believed it. I touched my chest and felt the bond between Ry and me. Still, it felt…different. Not right.
Queen Greer and her mates entered the room first, and soon, Rowan’s mother ushered the rest of us inside. It was simple—or as simple as a fancy sitting room could be. The settees were a dark blue in colour, and there were three surrounding a low coffee-table, which had a variety of small cakes and drinks set up on it. Across the room, there were a few armchairs of the same colour surrounding a fireplace, with bookshelves lining either side.
“Please, get comfortable. I know the journey here has been hard on you. And I want you all to rest. There are just a few things we should assess before you’re taken to the suite.” Queen Greer, who was being held up by the male who looked Fae, motioned to the food and drinks.
I nodded and moved the girls to one of the couches, sitting them down in a corner. “Do you want anything to eat?” I asked, giving Maisie a pointed look. She wasn’t even capable of meeting my gaze, too enamoured by the spread. There were pink cakes and green pastries and all sorts of things exciting to a six-year-old. All she managed was a little nod, but I received verbal answers from the other two.
Before I could get a plate for them, one was thrust in my direction. “Here,” Maeve said, showing the assortment of sweets and savoury pastries she’d picked. “For them to share. They might like some more than others. I found the ones they liked on the ship.”
A smile spread across my face, and I met her stare, taking the plate gratefully. “Thanks.”
It made me happy, knowing she thought of the kids. That she’d picked up on what they liked and didn’t. It made me feel less alone in all of this.
While we all settled in, an odd, uneasy silence filled the room. I couldn’t ignore the shared looks between Greer and her mates, or the palpable tension that rose as the team and I sat. But it was also hard to ignore the way the team and I moved; Elias, without needing to even ask, sat on one side of the children, while I took the other.
Adrian carefully sat next to me, his hand moving to take mine, and I accepted the strength and calm he offered. Thea, Maeve, and Rowan moved to the other couch, and I breathed a sigh of relief when Thea was bracketed by them, protected—even though I knew nothing would happen. The Seer also dropped down on the other end of their couch, reached for a little cake, and stayed silent.