sure every corner was used to its full potential, regardless of its function.
The gardens were out of this world, much bigger and downright astonishing from up close. A maze stretched out before us, made of hedges and sparkling fountains, blossoming trees and elegant statues on solid marble bases. Again, just like with the palace’s interior, the garden made use of every single patch of dirt to create this enormous masterpiece.
Water gushed from the fountains, its rushing sound making me smile. Birds sang in the trees and the flowery bushes, and the evening breeze added a delicate chill to my skin, reminding me of midnights in The Shade. In the middle of these gardens, a white gazebo rose, its pillars covered in pink rose-like blossoms with spade-shaped leaves. A table had been set there, made of white iron, with matching chairs.
The lord and lady supreme were already waiting, along with Kalon. I’d expected to see Petra, Zoltan, and Corbin, as well, but they were nowhere to be seen. Several servants waited behind them, dressed in black-and-white uniforms—much like what I’d seen Zurah wearing. It was definitely the signature style of the palace staff. Around the gazebo, a dozen golden guards stood quietly, the colored feathers from their helmets dancing in the wind.
“Where are the high priestess, the chief councilor, and the master commander?” Derek asked as we approached the gazebo, walking behind Valaine.
“I believe they have administrative duties to attend to, milord,” she said.
Glancing around at our crew, I found a sense of relief knowing that my brother and I weren’t the only ones who’d been dressed up for the occasion. Derek had also been fitted into a dark gray three-piece velvet suit, while Sofia looked simply stunning in her copper satin dress, a black lace bodice tightened to bring out her gentle curves. Amal didn’t seem comfortable in her pale orange dress, but she was beautiful, nonetheless. Her long, white hair had been pulled up into a tight bun, diamond earrings pouring down to her collarbones. Nethissis was a true vision in emerald green, and she seemed to enjoy this a lot more than Amal.
“Welcome!” Acheron said, rising from his chair as we reached the gazebo. Danika didn’t move, but Kalon stood, as well, his eyes immediately finding me. For a split second, I felt like an ant under a magnifying glass, the sun burning through me, even though the sky above was dark, with a handful of twinkling stars just overhead. “We usually dine much later in the evening, but we didn’t want you to spend too much time waiting.”
“And we have some delightful new varieties of aromatic blood we’d like you to try,” Danika added, motioning for us to sit down. Every move she made felt like a dream. Her grace was impossible to describe, but I took a stab at it by mentally comparing her to a porcelain swan into which the universe had breathed life. The term “poetry in motion” came to mind. But then the mental image of Exiled Maras rammed through my head and ruined the moment. There were a lot of common points here, so I became increasingly determined to figure out where the similarities stopped.
Kalon pulled up a chair for me to sit in, and I had a hard time looking at him, worried he might peer right into my eyes if I wasn’t careful. “You’re a true vision tonight, Esme,” he said, his voice low, as I took my seat and gave him a faint but thankful nod.
“Thank you,” I managed, trying to focus on the table, instead.
There were crystal pitchers filled with blood in the middle, but the servants had also added a couple of fruit and cheese platters to the display, along with fresh water bottles, for Amal and Nethissis.
“How is your stay in the palace, so far?” Danika asked us, as Valaine sat next to Tristan and me. To my right, Kalon was quiet, but I knew he was still watching me.
“It’s wonderful,” Sofia said. “The staff is incredibly kind and considerate.”
“And the rooms are stupendous,” Nethissis replied. “I admit, I’ve rarely experienced such lavishness.”
“I’m glad to hear that!” Acheron said, jovial and practically beaming at us. Out of all the Aeternae we’d met so far, I could easily see him as the most excited for our presence here. We were like shiny new things for his sole delight, and he planned to enjoy every second he got to spend with us. “My beloved Danika has spent centuries