Flight of the Raven Page 27

  “And House Luceras?”

  “They are like siblings to me. I grew up with Lords Leo, Tyrn, Elric, and Lady Adalyn. My brother and I—” His voice hitched for a moment and a shadow passed over his face. “We would play together. Leo was the serious one, usually off training. Tyrn, the second oldest, and my age, was always reading. And Elric, Adalyn, and Quinn were always together, whether in the castle gardens, or exploring the city, or off traipsing across the hills.” He let out a slow breath. “I miss them. It will be nice to see House Luceras again.”

  Selene wondered if by them, he also meant Quinn. In fact, she was sure of it. Despite coming to know Damien more than ever, she still had not pinpointed what the shadow was that hovered behind the light of his soul, like a cold wind that was felt but never seen. Was that the cause of his doldrums? Was it the death of his brother? Or more?

  “I hardly know House Luceras, and I have never visited Lux Casta.”

  Damien turned to her and smiled. “Then I look forward to introducing you to both.”

  Selene gave him a gentle smile back, but deep inside, she wasn’t so sure. The way Damien spoke of the Luceras siblings left a strange pulling sensation in her gut.

  Hours later, as the sun reached its zenith in the sky, the city of Lux Casta came into view, just beyond the natural harbor that protected its port. Selene stared at the grand city, its beauty capturing her senses. Damien was right: it looked liked the personification of the Light itself. The buildings were made of white stone with orange-tiled roofs. The city curved around in a circle, with each ring higher than the first, until it reached the castle that sat in the middle of the city, higher than any other building. Hills of green and a bright blue sky were the backdrop for the magnificent city. It was clear that winter had lost its hold on the land weeks ago and spring was in full bloom.

  Even the wind felt warmer and carried a sweet fragrance. So different than Nor Esen and her own home in the Magyr Mountains.

  Captain Stout expertly maneuvered the Ros Marinus into port, bringing the ship alongside one of the wooden docks that connected to the wide boardwalk that lined the shoreline. There were dozens of other ships moored in the harbor, ranging from two-story warships to small fishing vessels. White gulls flew overhead as the banners of House Luceras—white with a shining sun in the middle—snapped in the wind.

  The boardwalk was crowded with men moving crates and barrels from ships while women looked over fish lined up on tables, recently caught that morning and ready to be sold. Conversation hummed across the port. Children laughed as they ran between the cargo and ship workers. The smell of smoke, fish, and sea filled the air.

  Selene took it all in, her hands clasped in front of her. Though both were port cities, there was a wildness to Nor Esen, whereas Lux Casta felt civilized and was at least twice as big as the capital of the Northern Shores.

  The Ros Marinus came to a stop. Two of the sailors hauled out a wooden plank, while another opened the railing. The plank was placed within the opening, and all three sailors disappeared down the ramp. The other sailors scurried across the deck, securing the ropes and sails as Captain Stout and his first mate shouted orders.

  She looked back at the door that led to the cabins. Just when she thought about searching for Damien, he emerged from the narrow door with Taegis and Karl.

  “Selene.” Damien crossed the deck and stopped beside her. He wore a blue cloak embroidered in silver and a matching vest. Her own gown matched his, as they both wore the colors of House Maris. He placed his hand around her waist while he motioned toward the city ahead. “Welcome to Lux Casta.”

  He seemed almost completely relaxed. Almost. His smile almost genuine. The sparkle in his eye almost there, but not quite reaching all the way. A darkness still hung over him, the smallest shadow, like when the sun is shining brightly and one’s shadow is only a shade beneath one’s feet.

  But it was there, and she could see it. The light inside of him had dimmed, and she wanted to know why.

  After the ship was secured, the small party left the boat. It took Selene a moment to adjust to the solid ground after being at sea for a fortnight. Taegis led the way, with Damien walking by her side. Karl brought up the rear. Others from the ship would join them at the castle, along with their belongings.

  The first wall separated Lux Casta from the boardwalk. Immense gates as thick as a man and as high as a two-story building opened the way into the city. Symbols of the sun were engraved in the dense wood. On the other side of the wall, streets spread out around the city, each one lined with white stone buildings, lush trees, and cobblestones. Lux Casta had the feeling of eternal summer, and Selene wondered if it ever snowed here.

  Halfway through the city, a contingent of guards dressed in silver chainmail with white tabards and the symbol of House Luceras met them. The tallest soldier stepped forward. “Lord Leo sent us to escort House Maris to the Palace Levellon.”

  Taegis spoke for the group. “Thank you. Please lead the way.”

  The contingent split into two, with half of the soldiers in front and the other half in the back. They continued along the streets, following each curve as they went higher toward the palace in the center of Lux Casta.

  The second set of gates that led into the courtyard of the palace were smaller than the main gates, but more ornate. Pictures of the sun were interwoven with images of the hills and city of Lux Casta within the wood. Such artistry.

  And the courtyard . . .

  Selene drew in a breath. Beyond the palace walls was a courtyard of manicured green grass with a stream running through the midst. A path of smooth river stones split at the stream near the gate and ran along either side toward the wide staircases that led into the palace. Past the lush grass on either side were rows and rows of the most colorful flowers she had ever seen. Farther in, near the palace, stood a great marble fountain spouting misty water into the air and into the stream.

  It was breathtaking. The most amazing courtyard she had ever seen. It even rivaled the castle garden that Petur attended back at Rook Castle.

  The soldiers took the path on the right and led the company toward the front of the palace. Selene marveled at each flower they passed. Beyond the flower gardens were carefully sculpted bushes. There was nothing wild, nothing out of place. Everything was perfectly shaped, each bud, each flower, each leaf in exact position. Selene shook her head. It had to take an army of gardeners to keep such a place.

  They bypassed the three-tier fountain and headed up the steps. At the top, the first soldier opened the door. The leader of the unit turned and dismissed the rest, then spoke to Taegis. “House Luceras waits in the audience chamber to greet you. I will take you to them.”

  Taegis nodded in acknowledgment.

  The inside of the palace was as grand as the outside. High ceilings and smooth white stone lined the halls. Stained-glass images of grand lords and ladies dressed in white with golden hair and serene looks on their faces lit the way, leaving pools of color along the marble floor.

  Selene studied the images. What was House Luceras’s history? How exactly did their gift of light work? Did they truly follow the Light, or was it just a mask they wore, like the one worn by House Ravenwood?

  The soldier stopped in front of a set of white doors and opened the nearest one. Taegis stepped aside to let Damien enter first. Damien glanced at Selene. His eyes seemed to ask her if she was ready. She gave him the smallest nod, although her heart was thumping inside her chest. The only other time she had met the family of House Luceras was at the Assembly of the Great Houses, and even then, she never spoke to them. Now she was entering their hall as the new wife of their closest ally—and as the daughter of one of their greatest enemies.

  “Greetings, House Maris,” Lord Leo said from the dais at the front of the hall, his voice echoing across the cavernous room. “Welcome to Lux Casta and Palace Levellon.”

  All eyes turned toward the party as Damien led the way between the pillars. The audienc
e chamber of House Luceras was twice as big as the one in Rook Castle and Nor Esen combined. The hall could easily accommodate hundreds of people, and at least one hundred were gathered between the tall columns that held up the high ceiling.

  Selene held her head high. She didn’t miss the furtive glances or whispers as she walked by. No doubt word of her marriage to Grand Lord Maris had reached more than just the Great Houses. That, and simple curiosity about House Ravenwood, most likely stoked the people’s inquisitiveness. She couldn’t remember the last time a member of House Ravenwood had publicly appeared in Lux Casta.

  Everything was white within the grand hall, from the marble floor to the walls, and the banners that hung from the ceiling to the collection of thrones at the head of the room. At the front, Lord Leo stood with his hand raised toward them. The other Luceras siblings were beside him, their golden hair radiant as the sun’s rays poured through the windows around them.

  Lord Leo appeared the same as he did back at Rook Castle, with a stern look on his chiseled face. The young man next to him seemed like his twin, only thinner. Must be Tyrn.

  On the other side of Lord Leo stood Elric, a bright smile on his face. And beside him . . .

  Lady Adalyn, the Lady of Light.

  Selene had forgotten how beautiful the youngest member of House Luceras was. Her golden hair hung down her back in soft waves, with a silver circlet around her head. Her dress was white and shimmery, lovely and modest. She was the paragon of virtue and innocence. How could anyone look at her and not love her?

  Selene swallowed and caught Damien’s face softening as he gazed up at the Luceras siblings, the shadow that had been plaguing him seeming to disappear, but bringing that strange pulling sensation back to her own gut.

  “Thank you for opening your city and home to us,” Damien said as he stopped before the dais.

  Lord Leo dipped his head. “It was my father’s wish. Unfortunately, he is not well and unable to greet you personally. In the meantime, the palace servants will see your family and your companions to their quarters.”

  Damien bowed. “Thank you.” Then he stood and motioned toward Selene. “House Luceras, let me introduce to you my new wife, Lady Selene Ravenwood.”

  At the mention of her name, a dark look came over the two eldest Luceras brothers. Elric continued to grin, while Lady Adalyn appeared uncomfortable.

  Selene stood still, her chin raised, and gazed up at the lords and lady of Luceras, burying the feeling of disquiet deep inside of her. She was an equal to them. She had nothing to be ashamed of. But she couldn’t help remembering that there had been some negotiations between the two houses concerning Damien and Lady Adalyn.

  “Lady Selene, welcome to Lux Casta,” Lord Leo said a moment later.

  Selene bowed her head. “Thank you, Lord Leo.”

  She could still feel the animosity from the two older Luceras brothers and wondered if Damien could feel it also. If he did, he didn’t show it on his face. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye as he stepped forward to speak quietly to Lord Leo.

  A servant came minutes later from one of the side doors, an older man with thick silver hair and light grey eyes. Lord Leo stepped back. “Oswald will escort you to your rooms. If you need anything, please let him know. Dinner will be at seven.”

  Damien bowed. “Thank you.” Then he turned, and Selene followed him until they reached the doors, where Karl and Taegis joined them.

  Oswald led the group from the audience chamber and down another broad hallway. As they passed by a wide window, a shadow passed over the sun, darkening the corridor for a moment. Selene glanced out the window, but the sky had brightened again.

  They rounded another corner, and once again the sun dimmed outside the windows. A smile tugged on Damien’s lips, which puzzled Selene. Did he know what was happening? And why would it make him smile?

  After two more corners, the servant stopped in front of a light-colored door and pressed down on the handle. “These will be your quarters during your stay. There are rooms for both your personal use and for your party. I will direct your belongings to be brought here. As his lordship said, my name is Oswald. Let me know if you need anything else.”

  “Thank you, Oswald.”

  Oswald gave them a brief bow, then left the same way he came.

  Taegis entered the room first, then he and Karl split up to check the quarters. Damien and Selene stood in the middle of the common room. It was nothing like the rooms back at Rook Castle, or even Northwind.

  Everything was trimmed in white molding and gold. The furniture was ornate and perfectly positioned. Bright sunlight poured in through high windows surrounded by a curved railing outside. Along the cream-colored walls hung paintings of pastoral landscapes.

  It was beautiful, and yet Selene found herself longing for home. For Northwind Castle, with its cool stone, dark furniture, and furs.

  She stilled. For the first time, she had called Northwind home.

  Damien took her hand, then lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “I’m glad you’re here with me,” he said softly.

  All it took was that one look from his eyes to release the tension inside of her. She had no desire to be anywhere else but here, with him. Even if she felt like an outsider. “Thank you.”

  He dropped her hand and pulled her in for a lingering kiss before they were interrupted by a knock at their door.

  Taegis left one of the adjoining bedrooms and answered. A woman’s alto voice filled the doorway.

  “I thought so,” Damien said with a smile, Selene still in his arms.

  “Thought what?”

  In answer, a woman entered their room. Selene stepped back quickly and brushed invisible wrinkles from her gown. She did not like her affection for Damien to be displayed in front of others.

  The woman smiled widely as she approached them. “Grand Lord Damien, it is good to see you again.”

  Damien laughed. “Grand Lady Bryren. I thought I saw wyverns flying over Lux Casta.”

  “We arrived shortly before you did. It would seem our wyverns are making the city uncomfortable, so a few of my kin are taking them out into the hills.”

  Selene looked closely at the woman standing in their room as Taegis shut the door behind her. Lady Bryren looked just as she remembered her. There was a wildness to her, with her leather clothing and copper hair decked out in braids. Kohl lined her eyes, accentuating their light brown color.

  Her gaze turned to Selene. “Lady Selene.” She dipped her head. “I don’t think we ever met while I was at Rook Castle. I must admit I was surprised when I received news of your marriage to Lord Damien. I would like to hear more about how that came about. There were many houses pinning their hopes on Lord Damien.” Her eyes twinkled with merriment.

  Selene wasn’t sure whether she liked the brazen grand lady of House Merek or not. She also confirmed what Selene suspected—House Luceras had hoped for a union between Damien and Lady Adalyn. A marriage of that magnitude would have made them powerful allies. Selene glanced at Damien. Would he share the real story behind their marriage?

  “It was a union that benefited both of us,” he said.

  “Spoken like a true lord. But tell me, do you love each other?”

  Selene turned back with narrowed eyes. Such bold questions from a woman she hardly knew. And yet Lady Bryren’s question struck her like an arrow to the chest. Now that she thought about it, neither of them had said those words to the other. Deep down, she loved Damien. So why hadn’t she told him?

  Was she waiting to see if he loved her back?

  “I believe that is between Lady Selene and myself.”

  Lady Bryren studied him for a moment. “I understand.” She turned back to Selene. “You’re a lucky woman. I don’t know you or your house well. But I do know the family of Maris. It is a good arrangement for you.”

  Selene felt like something unspoken had passed between Damien and Lady Bryren and had no idea what it was. Seeing
him so relaxed with the wyvern lady, without that shadow that had been following him since he brought down the water-wall, caused that small fire to burn in the pit of her stomach again. “Thank you.”

  Lady Bryren nodded. “Now that you’re here, I believe the talks will start tomorrow. That is, if Lord Warin is doing better.”

  “Is he still ill?” Damien asked.

  “Yes. There is a small hope he might recover, but until then, Lord Leo will act in his father’s place.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. How are you doing? I’m sure Lord Warin’s illness has brought back painful memories.”

  Selene perked up.

  Lady Bryren nodded. “Yes. It’s been over a year now since my own father passed away. Although his death was more sudden.” Her eyes darted toward Selene before settling again on Damien.

  Selene frowned at her look. Did Lady Bryren think her family had something to do with Lord Warin’s death? Her eyes widened. Did they?

  Lady Bryren continued on. “We have much to discuss.”

  “Yes, we do. And what of House Vivek?” Damien asked.

  “I heard someone is coming, but I don’t know who.”

  Interesting, Selene mused, her thoughts switching over. Did Lady Bryren not know about Renlar, Lord Rune’s son?

  “Until then.” Lady Bryren bowed. “I will see you both tonight at dinner.”

  Damien and Selene bowed in reply. “Good-bye, Lady Bryren. Thank you for coming,” Damien said as he straightened.

  Lady Bryren sent one last smile to the both of them before turning and leaving. Taegis followed her out and shut the door behind him. Selene could hear Karl in one of the other rooms.

  “Is Lady Bryren always that way?” Selene asked.

  “What way?” Damien turned back.

  “Asking private questions.”

  Damien laughed. “Yes. For as long as I’ve known her. I think that quality comes with her house. The gift of House Merek is their courage, although sometimes it can border on recklessness.”

  “Or impertinence.” She wanted to ask Damien about the questions Lady Bryren had brought up, both spoken and unspoken, but at the same time wasn’t sure if she wanted the answers. What if Damien only cared about her because of his kind nature and adherence to duty? Her shoulders tightened as old fears came roaring back. Had Damien only married her to save himself?