A Dawn of Onyx (The Sacred Stones, #1)(88)
Peridot was lusher and more breathtaking than anything I could have imagined. Once again, the weight of how little of Evendell I had experienced hit me like a gut punch.
The castle that sprawled before us atop the highest hill was like a ranch. Bamboo beams, a large, thatched gate, and miles of exotic, textured land spread in every direction. The smell of saltwater and plumeria filtered in as I spied cows, horses, and goats. Bright green hills rolled beyond the castle gates like waves in a sea, all dotted with tropical flowers. I’d have to look into their names now, too.
The city itself stretched beyond the fortress, weaving into the trees and hills and growing denser until I had to squint to make it out. As if Siren’s Cove was protected by its king’s stronghold, rather than the other way around. From what I could see, the city was more like my hometown of Abbington than what I imagined a bustling capital to be. Smoke billowed out of straw roofs, chickens and more horses squawked and neighed. Families and children and women balancing buckets and baskets milled about.
But the most jaw-dropping view was much closer, out the carriage and to my right. A few miles down from the royal home was the beach.
The docks in Abbington were, at best, a murky, fishy hub for driftwood and pelicans. Boats and ships of all shapes and sizes crowded the harbor, and fishermen with few teeth took up whatever space was left. My siblings and I would walk forty minutes down to take a frigid dip, wandering back at dusk against the shimmering sun melting into the marina, our legs sore and tanned and reeking of brine and trout.
This was something else entirely. The crescent-shaped cove, sheltered by low stone cliffs, was filled with emerald waves rocking against a beach of soft pink sand. A thick rainforest grew beyond the cliffs, filled with spiked trees I had never seen before. A cool breeze mixed with humid air tickled my skin. I wanted to take a bite out of the atmosphere.
“Come on,” said Mari, pulling me out of the carriage as soon as it halted. We followed the soldiers toward the castle gates.
I was less pleased to see Princess Amelia than I had anticipated. Her white-blonde hair cascaded over her loose clothing. A single beige band of fabric covered her chest but showed off the taut, tan skin of her belly. A skirt of the same breezy material flowed from low on her hips down to the ground.
She had an incredible body, and the sheer fabric made sure anyone in a five-mile radius knew it. Somewhere between watching her flirt her way into an alliance with an old flame and feeling Kane’s tongue in my mouth, I had decided she was my nemesis. Or perhaps something slightly less dramatic. But only slightly.
Next to her stood her father, King Eryx. He had the same pale hair, but far lighter skin and eyes of bright, warm Amber. Like sunflowers—just like his daughter’s.
“Welcome Commander Griffin,” Eryx boomed.
Griffin bowed, and the rest of us followed suit.
“Commander.” Amelia greeted Griffin warmly. He bowed once more, taking her hand and kissing it.
Eryx looked rather pleased at the interaction.
“Still waiting to take a wife, my dear commander?”
Amelia rolled her eyes with enough venom that even I cowered. But Griffin, cool as ever, didn’t even blush. “I have my hands a little full with our current circumstances, your majesty.”
Eryx gave a warm smile and a sly laugh. “Understood. I think I speak for all when I say we are grateful for your dedication. Once we have defeated the Amber bastards, I assure you my lovely Amelia will still be here, waiting. As always.”
I nearly went cross-eyed with the urge to roll my eyes. I didn’t particularly care for Amelia, but I didn’t like her father offering her up like cattle either.
“She may be tricky, but I wager the title of Prince of Peridot sweetens the pot?” His wet cackle turned into a cough, and Griffin’s bland smile never met his eyes.
I spotted Mari out of the corner of my eye, with a pinched look on her face. Without any more pleasantries—if that’s what we could call Eryx’s tactless offering—we were ushered inside the airy palace and Griffin followed Eryx into another hallway.
The princess acknowledged neither Mari nor I at all before disappearing.
“She’s annoying, right?” Mari said under her breath.
“You have no idea.”
***
We were each shown our own room for the open-ended duration of our stay. I couldn’t help my theatrical gawk at the warm expanse of teakwood floors and the canopied bed upon entering. The breeze from the huge windows overlooking the glimmering turquoise bay flitted through my hair. A single exotic bird with wings of bright scarlet perched on the windowsill.
I stretched out against the soft, white, cotton bed sheets and hummed in relief. No more inns, no more sweltering heat. Maybe I’d finally get a good night’s sleep.
But I couldn’t rest yet. I’d promised Mari three books and I intended to keep said promise. Plus, I was excited to see the Peridot library. Shadowhold’s library was exquisite, and that was just an army stronghold. This was a palace in the Peridot capital of Siren’s Cove. Maybe their library was in a lagoon.
I made my way through the castle. Every inch was adorned with either vines, cushions, or delicate beadwork. I asked one of the servants who was dusting a canvas chaise for directions to the library. It was strange, having been a villager in a small town my whole life, then a prisoner just a few months ago, and now a guest of royalty.