settled and the boat begins to glide through the water. "I've never been on a boat before, but I'm pretty sure it usually involves motors or rowing."
"Your world may have the marvels of electronics, but we have magic. In a toss between the two, I'd always choose the latter."
My eyes widen. "Magic? Real magic?" For some reason, this is harder to grasp than demons and vampires, though I'm not sure why. Particularly since I just traveled to another world through an enchanted mirror.
"Real magic. Wielded carefully, of course. In the wrong hands, magic is dangerous. There are laws about the proper use of magic, for everyone's protection."
"So you can wield magic?"
"Not exactly. I—really anyone—can use a spell once it's been cast. But vampires and demons cannot cast magic."
"Then who casts the spells?"
"The Fae," he says, then falls silent.
I have so many more questions, but he doesn't seem to be of a mood to talk anymore, so I entertain myself by getting to know my new world. The lake we've been floating on has begun to narrow, taking us into a canal with forests on either side of us. We pass between two giant walls that span as far as I can see. At least six stories high, they seem carved from one mass of gray stone. Above us, connecting the two walls, hangs a metal gate forged from interlocking beams.
Asher notices me looking. "So we can close the canals during an attack."
"From who?" I ask.
"Enemies my people have made. They live in limbo, the Outlands, beyond these walls."
I raise an eyebrow. "And how often are you attacked?"
"There are occasional raids. But first, they must deal with the archers on the walls. If they make it past, then we have soldiers on the ground." He speaks casually, as if this is the day to day of his life. Will I too, one day, speak of raids and battle so easily?
We pass the walls, and the temperature drops, and I pull my coat around me, shivering at such a sudden change in climate.
"We've entered my brother's realm, the Prince of War," he says. "It's miserably cold here this time of year."
Majestic mountains topped with caps of snow reach into the sky, and trees so tall I can't see their tops line the shore. In the distance, a castle forged from stone is carved into the side of a massive peak. Purple flags fly from two towers, depicting a white wolf. "Do other people live here?" I wonder out loud.
"Yes. Each realm has its villages, its center, and its populace. Most are demons but there are other kinds here as well. It's important you always stay within the realms. We aren't the only race inhabiting this land, and believe it or not, we're the good guys. You don't want to go beyond the gates, if you value your life. Or your mother's."
Asher's voice drops to a low rumble, and I shiver at the weight in his words. What kinds of creatures live outside the realms that would have vampires scared of them? I can't even imagine. "Speaking of my mother, when will I get to see her?"
"We will head there first, to set your mind at ease. Then you will be assigned a realm to begin your stay with us. My brothers were meant to decide the order while I retrieved you."
"The order?"
Asher looks over at me and smirks. "Yes, the order. You must spend time with each of us before you make your choice. You'll have a month with each prince. At the end of the seven months, you will decide who amongst us will be your mate and future king."
"So my mother has to live as a prisoner for seven months? What if I decide sooner?"
His smirk disappears and he leans closer to me, his cologne making my head spin. "Be very careful, princess. My brothers are ruthless demons who have lived more lifetimes than you can imagine. They have their own agendas and will do whatever it takes to accomplish them. Do not be hasty in this. Not only are you sealing your own fate for all eternity, but our kingdom's as well."
"Why?"
He blinks. "Why what?"
"Why leave such an important decision to an ordinary human? Why not just fight it out or use magic or something to decide the next king?"
He leans back and crosses his hands over his lap. "Why indeed. For starters, you are far less ordinary than you imagine yourself to be. And then of course you