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I whipped around to look at Jenessa, wide-eyed.
"Is your brain broken? They're not toys. You can't just take them off the street and bring them under the sea."
"Why not?" Jenessa asked, tilting her head. "They look like toys. Perhaps they'll be equally fun."
Jenessa wriggled her brows suggestively. My jaw hung. I'd always known the Seaveiller was more promiscuous than I could stomach, but rot. She couldn't be serious.
"No."
Jenessa pouted, then shrugged. "Fine."
"Anyway, they're so different," Tobe commented.
"How?" Zukon added in, finally joining the conversation for the first time this entire trip. The honey eyed angel was as large as he was reserved. He only spoke when necessary, always watching but never speaking. Still, he was a consistent, calm presence. "They can't be all that different. They're Domenents, just like us."
"Being from the same angelic rank means absolutely nothing," Tobe retorted. "We're Domenents of the sea. These angels know nothing of the worlds below the Surface."
"True," I jumped in. "But we know nothing of the sky, either. I mean, can you even walk?"
Kianga snorted, then bent over and busted out laughing. Jenessa joined her, sliding out of her seat, laughing with her entire body.
Zukon's eyes widened, his nostrils flaring, as his handsome face split into a grin. "Princess, that's foul."
"How?" I threw my hands up. "That's a serious question. I can walk because I was taught. I thought the lessons were a waste of time, but now I'm grateful. Can the rest of you?" I looked at Tobe through a side glance. "Can't keep doing a lot of talking if you can't even do the basics."
"Sheesh," Zukon coughed, barking out a laugh. "Raeshelle, two. Tobe, zero."
The Wheel Ryders chuckled at the front of the chariot as they pivoted the vehicle across the Avarien skies. I memorized as much as I could of the rivers and mountains. I looked at the sky beasts and the clusters of neighborhoods. There had to be countless millions of angels in the entire kingdom.
The sight overwhelmed me. I was lost in taking it all in, hardly listening to the mindless chatter behind me, until we neared the enormous castle of glass and crystal shrouded in iridescent clouds.
"Burning seas," Kianga whispered. "I thought the Pearl Palace was huge. The Cloud Castle could give us a run for our seashells."
"That's an understatement," Jenessa breathed. "Sheesh."
Panic settled in the core of my gut, but I buried it. Terrified or not, I had a job to do. I thought of the capsule and felt myself getting sick. Kianga placed a gentle hand on my arm.
"I'm right behind you." I looked at her, knowing my fear was clear as dawn on my face. "Always."
"Thanks, Kia."
I took a deep breath and steeled myself as Tunde and his Wheel Ryders began bringing the chariot to a descent at the front of the Cloud Castle. The moment we landed, my Seaveillers and the entire Azizien retinue accompanying me launched into action, quickly dismounting the chariot.
In front of the Cloud Castle, several rows of Sky Watchers and Airveillers floated in perfect lines, chins lifted in Avarien pride. Armored in white with lavender and golden details, I couldn't help but feel intimidated. It wasn't until I saw my Seaveillers stepping out onto the cloudy ground with Azizien confidence that I felt better. Avari may be a force in the skies, but Azizi reigned the seas. With that reminder to myself, I shuffled past the commotion on the chariot, and exited with a regality that would make King Bakari, and the entire Azizien kingdom, proud.
I walked with grace, with elegance, head held high, as I glided to the front of my procession. When I stopped, the entire Avarien retinue bowed. When they rose again, the Airveiller leading their force greeted me from across the cloudy lawn.
"Princess Raeshelle Corellis Au'Pearl, Dayè of His Majesty, King Bakari Ezrathen Au'Pearl, Pearl of the Mistwind Seas, we of Avari, angels of His Majesty, King Izakaya Promeseren Rhòdhaire, welcome you to our kingdom."
I curtsied low and rose, bowing my head at this Airveiller.
"It is my honor to be with you and the Avarien kingdom on behalf of my payè, King Bakari Au'Pearl of Azizi. Thank you for the gracious welcome. I look forward to meeting His Majesty and Ayella, King Izakaya and Queen Rekani Rhòdhaire. Shall we?"
The Airveiller smiled warmly, his two-toned light eyes beaming brightly. I fought not to fidget under the insufferable heat that was beating down on my temples. It felt like I'd been shoved into an oven full of hot coals. I took deep breaths, trying for the life of me to cool down.
The Airveillers, followed by the Sky Watchers, turned and began floating into the Cloud Castle. I follow on foot, refusing to embarrass myself by trying to fly without having practiced the act yet. It was one thing to use my wings below the sea, and something else entirely to fly in the sky.
Waltzing into the Cloud Castle, I was pleased with the luxury and decor, but not impressed. Admittedly, payè had much the same taste as these Avarien royals. From the tapestries, to the marbled statues, if colors were changed and materials mixed, everything in the Cloud Castle was much the same as the Pearl Palace.
