The royal palace was nothing like anything Maisie had ever known.
After three days of careful travel, they had arrived at the heart of Kylen’s territory — a sprawling fortress of dark stone and silver spires that seemed to pierce the sky itself. Towers wrapped in ivy and ancient runes overlooked misty forests and snow-capped mountains. The air smelled cleaner, sharper, laced with pine and distant snow. Everything felt… vast. Overwhelming.
Kylen had carried her most of the way, only letting her ride beside him when she insisted through weak gestures. He hadn’t pushed. He never pushed.
Now, he led her through wide marble halls lined with guards who bowed deeply as they passed. Servants moved with quiet efficiency, their eyes respectful rather than pitying or cruel. No one stared at her br
