Page 52 of Maleen

I round the corner and see a grand entry, beautifully arched in pale stone with an inscription written in the same language as on the door at Phixmery. “No, I have no idea.”

She tries the handle. “It’s locked, do you have the keys?”

I shake my head. “No, Killian might; and if not, I might know who would.”

Cynder grins widely. “That’s no problem. Do you give me permission to open it?”

Confusion and curiosity dance through me. “I mean, this is your home too, so you don’t need my permission—just don’t damage it.”

She nods and pulls out two skinny metal rods and inserts them into the lock, jimmying them around until an audible click sounds.

“Ah ha! Take that Thorne,” she mutters under her breath, straightening with a triumphant grin as she pushes the large dark oak doors open.

“Wow, I didn’t know you knew how to lock pick,” I state, impressed. “You need to show me how to do that.”

Her cheeks turn crimson. “Thorne taught me actually, on the way to Vathia. I would love to teach you though.”

Lennox clears his throat, with his brows raised. “Are we going to go in or stand about waiting for death to take us?”

I shake my head and make my way into the dark room. The air smells stale and dusty, and it’s so dark I can barely make out shadows. I strike my belt with my ring and a flame erupts to life in my palm. A gasp leaves my lips as I realize what stands before me.

Swiftly, I light the torches illuminating the circular room, and along the far side are five sets of the most gorgeous armor I have ever seen, and right in the center is my mother’s. Or at least I assume it’s hers based on the breastplate having curves meant for a female figure. Each set of armor looks to be made of dragonstone, and despite the name making them sound heavy, they’re light when I dare to touch one. It’s metal, forged with magick, silver and shadowfire from a dragon’s breath, like our dragonstone daggers. The edges of the suit are rimmed with silver plating. It’s magnificent.

Vasari’s voice chimes and I know she’s seeing what I am. “My mother must have helped forge them. That is armor fit for a queen,” she states with a stern wonder, awed even.

“She did a beautiful job, if she did. Who knows how long these have been here.” I step closer, running my hand along the metal.

“Looks like there’s one for each one of your mates,” Lennox murmurs.

Nero chirps. “They might have to make adjustments for your giant mate.”

“Where are you guys?” I hear Rozen call out.

“In here!” I yell back.

Rozen and Ember enter the room with a wide grin and slightly disheveled hair. “She said yes! Ember is officially my mate! Woah… what is this place?”

I gasp and grab them both, pulling them into a hug. “I’ve been waiting so long for this! The tension between you two was almost suffocating!” I laugh, squeezing them both as they hug me back and Ember actually giggles.

“I should get them a mating gift… Maybe an eyeball of their own so they can start their own collection,” Nero states, nodding his head.

I cross my arms. “We never got a mating gift from you,” I tease.

He caws, nipping my ear. “They get to have me in their life… keeping them on their toes and threatening them. That’s all they need from me,” he sasses.

After some more congratulations I clear my throat, turning back to our discovery. “I think this is where my parents stored their battle armor, or maybe it’s ceremonial? I’m not sure, but it’s stunning.” I say, turning to admire it again. “Maybe I can find out more. I’m sure they have some information somewhere in the castle. Cyn, do you think you can lock the door back up?”

She turns sheepish. “Unfortuntly, I can only unlock the door.”

“That’s okay, I’m sure it will be fine. Alright, now that we’ve seen the armory, let me show you one of my favourite views from the castle. It overlooks the Nairiden Woods.” We turn to leave, but I can’t help one more glance at the suits before shutting the door firmly behind me.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

AFTER WE FINISH THE TOUR, we finally make it to my absolute favorite spot in the castle—the library. I take a deep breath, and it smells exactly how I remember. The scent of bibliosmia invading my nose is like a warm hug; the musky, wood smell punches me in the gut with nostalgia and tears spring to my eyes. I never thought I would see this place again. I was always hiding in here, especially when my parents needed me to perform princess duties, which was mostly just being present and smiling at fae I didn’t know and being forced to be on my best behavior.

A sobbed chuckle escapes and I cover my mouth. Nero softly places his head against my temple and doesn’t say a word as he sends comfort down the bond, and I sense Vasari and my mates doing the same. All three of them, and my heart aches without Killian’s bond there, but I know that will come in time.

“Rav?” Ember whispers as she steps up beside me, placing her hand lightly on my shoulder as she peers down at me.