Brea’s eyes couldn’t decide what to look at first. The bridge was made of thick, green vines that grew from a massive tree trunk into a twisting pattern of knots and leaves that extended across the river. The bridge was wide enough for the two lanes of traffic coming and going from the palace. Far below, the crystal waters of the Villandi River made their lazy way across boulders and over rocks, splashing and tinkling like a symphony of sounds.
The palace itself seemed to have grown up from the riverbed. Vine covered stone spires reached for the skies, and pointed archways rose up in tiers from the main gates to the highest point at the center of the structure. Each spire twisted into three points that wrapped around a light source that shone brightly in the fading sunlight.
“It’s breathtaking,” Brea murmured in awe.
“The beacons are solar powered,” Griff explained. “They provide light for the whole palace.”
“Beautiful, functional, and safe for the environment.”
The entire scene was picturesque, the way a tributary of the river flowed around the castle on either side, cascading in twin waterfalls over the cliffside to the main river below. Stone bridges grew from the palace at dizzying heights to connect to other wings.
“I have no words. It’s possible I’m back to thinking I could be hallucinating again.”
Griff’s laughter brought her out of her fog. “I’ve never known you to be short on words. And for the last time, this is real, Brea Robinson. You’ve finally come home.”
As soon as they passed through the castle gates, the queen’s men-at-arms ushered Brea and Griff into the grand hall to meet the castellan.
“Lady Einin, it’s good to see you again.” Griff took both of the small woman’s hands in his larger ones. “The queen has summoned us. Is she available?”
“She’s visiting with a diplomat from the Eldur court. She’s asked me to see the Lady Brea settled in her rooms.” Lady Einin turned to give Brea a nod. She was stern-faced and didn’t seem to bother much with small talk. “You know where your rooms are, now off you go.” She shooed Griff toward a different part of the palace.
“You’ll be fine.” Griff put a hand on her shoulder. “Lady Einin will take good care of you tonight, and I’ll see you first thing in the morning.”
Brea nodded, trying to shove back the blazing hot panic at the realization that her security blanket would be too far away to hear her if she needed help.
“This is your home, Brea. You are safe here.” He squeezed her shoulder, leaving her with the allegedly capable Lady Einin.
“This way.” Einin called, turning toward the massive staircase made of the most vivid green vines.
Brea followed silently as they climbed the great staircase to the third level of the palace. Einin stopped at an ornate doorway with a pointed arch covered in white vines with pink flowers and the palest green leaves streaked with gold.
“This is the queen’s quarters. She has requested to have you near. Be on your best behavior, and don’t go wandering about. The maids will bring your dinner and draw a hot bath for you.”
Einin slipped an intricate bone key into the lock and stood back to let Brea enter the huge room—suite of rooms. It was fit for a princess, which she wasn’t.
“Surely the queen would rather put me in a simple guest room.”
“Queen Regan does what she likes. Make yourself at home and ring the bell if you need anything. Good night, my Lady.” She dropped a slight curtsy that left Brea completely creeped out.
“I can’t have people curtsying.” She shivered and ran her hands over her arms. “It’s too bizarre. And now I’m talking to myself again.”
Brea walked around the oval-shaped sitting room, too scared to touch anything. She definitely needed that bath. Everything was so white, it shone like pearls in the moonlight. She was sure to ruin anything she sat on in her travel clothes.
A white settee occupied the center of the room. It seemed to have grown right out of the floor from the same delicate vines that adorned the doorway. The cushions of flower petals beckoned to her after hours in the saddle, but she couldn’t resist checking out the rest of her rooms.
Three arched doorways led from the main room. The first led to a bathroom and dressing area with a huge walk-in closet filled with fluffy pink gowns Brea really hoped weren’t meant for her.
The second door led to a bedroom. A vine-covered canopy bed stood on a dais at the center of the room. Strands of sheer white flowers grew from the canopy and fluttered in the warm breeze flowing in through the open balcony doors.
The last doorway led to a study. Rows and rows of books filled the shelves from floor to ceiling. A white wooden desk stood in front of a second pair of balcony doors, and a pair of white fur-covered chairs waited by the fireplace.
“Give me Netflix and Uber Eats and I could live here and never leave these rooms,” Brea murmured.
A door opened behind her and three maids entered carrying trays and an assortment of clean nightclothes. They were identical triplets, making identical curtsies, staring at her with identical blue eyes.
“Would you like a bath first or food first, my lady?” The lead triplet asked, with another curtsy.
“Bath, please.” Brea decided to go with it. She was far too tired to protest their eager little faces. She would explain to Lady Einin tomorrow that she’d rather see to herself. Servants were definitely not something she wanted to get used to.
“My lady, you must get up. The queen is ready to see you.” Triplet Two pulled the warm downy covers away, and Brea wanted to scratch her face off. She’d just had the most restful sleep of her life and she wasn’t ready to get up yet.
Triplets One and Three were busy pulling fancy dresses from the closet, while Triplet Two shoved a breakfast tray in her face and went to work on her nails.
“I can dress myself.” Brea munched on a delicious pastry and sipped hot spiced tea. It wasn’t coffee, but it was tasty. This world had to have coffee somewhere, and if they expected her to stay, someone better find it soon.
“Nonsense.” Triplet One said… or maybe it was Two.
In no time they had her brushed, curled, and stuffed into a pink gown with a narrow waist and a long train. They left her to wait for Griff to arrive, and as soon as the trio was out of sight, Brea kicked off the tight slippers that pinched her heels and shoved her feet back into her boots. Under the long dress, no one would know. She felt more confident that she could actually walk without falling over her own feet.
Griff didn’t give her time to get nervous. He knocked on her door just as she’d started to pace.
“What’s with the terrifying triplets?” She shoved an errant curl out of her face, and snatched off the white gloves they insisted she wear. “I swear they snipped, plucked and trimmed me within an inch of my life.”
“You’re the queen’s niece. There are certain expectations.” He tried to hide his smile.
“You can say it, I look ridiculous.” She tried to flatten the back of her big hair.
“You look beautiful. But the palace styles are a bit much. It’s one of the main reasons I don’t live here.” He gestured at his own attire. A trim cut suit with tailored pants and a jaunty hat.