the center of the structure. Each spire twisted into three points that wrapped around a light source that shone brightly in the fading sunlight.
“It’s breathtaking,” Brea murmured in awe.
“The beacons are solar powered,” Griff explained. “They provide light for the whole palace.”
“Beautiful, functional, and safe for the environment.”
The entire scene was picturesque, the way a tributary of the river flowed around the castle on either side, cascading in twin waterfalls over the cliffside to the main river below. Stone bridges grew from the palace at dizzying heights to connect to other wings.
“I have no words. It’s possible I’m back to thinking I could be hallucinating again.”
Griff’s laughter brought her out of her fog. “I’ve never known you to be short on words. And for the last time, this is real, Brea Robinson. You’ve finally come home.”
As soon as they passed through the castle gates, the queen’s men-at-arms ushered Brea and Griff into the grand hall to meet the castellan.
“Lady Einin, it’s good to see you again.” Griff took both of the small woman’s hands in his larger ones. “The queen has summoned us. Is she available?”
“She’s visiting with a diplomat from the Eldur court. She’s asked me to see the Lady Brea settled in her rooms.” Lady Einin turned to give Brea a nod. She was stern-faced and didn’t seem to bother much with small talk. “You know where your rooms are, now off you go.” She shooed Griff toward a different part of the palace.
“You’ll be fine.” Griff put a hand on her shoulder. “Lady Einin will take good care of you tonight, and I’ll see you first thing in the morning.”
Brea nodded, trying to shove back the blazing hot panic at the realization that her security blanket would be too far away to hear her if she needed help.
“This is your home, Brea. You are safe here.” He squeezed her shoulder, leaving her with the allegedly capable Lady Einin.
“This way.” Einin called, turning toward the massive staircase made of the most vivid green vines.
Brea followed silently as they climbed the great staircase to the third level of the palace. Einin stopped at an ornate doorway with a pointed arch covered in white vines with pink flowers and the palest green leaves streaked with gold.
“This is the queen’s quarters. She has requested to have you near. Be on your best behavior, and don’t go wandering about. The maids will bring your dinner and draw a hot bath for you.”
Einin slipped an intricate bone key into the lock and stood back to let Brea enter the huge room—suite of rooms. It was fit for a princess, which she wasn’t.
“Surely the queen would rather put me in a simple guest room.”
“Queen Regan does what she likes. Make yourself at home and ring the bell if you need anything. Good night, my Lady.” She dropped a slight curtsy that left Brea completely creeped out.
“I can’t have people curtsying.” She shivered and ran her hands over her arms. “It’s too bizarre. And now I’m talking to myself again.”
Brea walked around the oval-shaped sitting room, too scared to touch anything. She definitely needed that bath. Everything was so white, it shone like pearls in the moonlight. She was sure to ruin anything she sat on in her travel clothes.
A white settee occupied the center of the room. It seemed to have grown right out of the floor from the same delicate vines that adorned the doorway. The cushions of flower petals beckoned to her after hours in the saddle, but she couldn’t resist checking out the rest of her rooms.
Three arched doorways led from the main room. The first led to a bathroom and dressing area with a huge walk-in closet filled with fluffy pink gowns Brea really hoped weren’t meant for her.
The second door led to a bedroom. A vine-covered canopy bed stood on a dais at the center of the room. Strands of sheer white flowers grew from the canopy and fluttered in the warm breeze flowing in through the open balcony doors.
The last doorway led to a study. Rows and rows of books filled the shelves from floor to ceiling. A white wooden desk stood in front of a second pair of balcony doors, and a pair of white fur-covered chairs waited by the fireplace.
“Give me Netflix and Uber Eats and I could live here and never leave these rooms,” Brea murmured.
A door opened behind her and three maids entered carrying trays and an assortment of clean nightclothes. They were identical