Essence of the Angels (The Starlight Chronicles #2)

Chapter Nine

Valarie's POV

The following morning, I met Devian in the grand foyer once more—this time dressed more practically. Sadie had been decent enough to bring me some fighting leathers—mind you, they were still intricately decorated, with flecks of deep purple detailed against the black—but they would do. She also gave me a long thick winter coat with a soft, grey trimming at the cuffs and neck, which I was grateful for.

I was a little nervous to be venturing out into the world of Urenphians with Devian of all people, but a part of me was also excited. I was finally getting out of this place.

I had to get back to my world, and I wasn't about to waste this opportunity.

Devian was dressed in black pants and a simple slate grey, button up shirt with a jacket. He offered me one of his devious smiles as I approached.

"Well, don't you look the part," he commented, earning a frown from me. I suddenly felt incredibly overdressed, even though it was a huge step back from the gowns sitting in my wardrobe. He noticed my expression fall and shook his head. "It's a compliment," he insisted firmly as he offered me his arm. "Anybody who is anybody around here trains regularly—even the Court Leaders. They each have unique skill sets and make it a point to learn magic and battle tactics from one another. You fit right in wearing that."

His words didn't soothe me—in fact, just the mention of the Court Leaders having access to more power and skill unsettled me, but I didn't let my discomfort show. I slowly reached out and linked my elbow with his, and then the guards opened the giant doors leading us outside.

Leading me to freedom.

The path leading to the entry gates was made of dark stone, and an array of gleaming wildflowers swayed gently in our wake. I instantly felt the cold whoosh towards me again, despite my layers, and tensed against the icy wind. Devian leaned closer ever so slightly, and his body heat was the only reason I let him. I was entirely convinced that without his presence, I'd freeze by the time I reached those gates.

My mind began to crave fire, and warmth, and my warm, cozy bed— Focus.

Devian unlatched the gate, and as we stepped out onto a crowded street I inhaled the scent of freedom for the first time in days. An exhilarating rush flooded through me at the prospect of having my reigns loosened, even if it were only slightly. After all, Devian was still escorting me—I was going to have to figure out how to lose him, and fast.

The kingdom and its people were right on our doorstep, which was strange. I strongly remembered the Starlight Palace being purposely built in riding distance of the village, and reinforced with walls, gates, and magic. Yet Reina's Court Manor was like any other house on the street, if not a little larger and lavish on the inside and flocked by a handful of Urenphian guards.

There were people everywhere, of course. They stared at us from all directions, probably having been expecting Reina herself. I wondered how they reacted to her when she made public appearances. I'm sure it was nothing like this—we were being stared at like alien beings who had descended from a ship, right before their eyes.

It then hit me that they weren't too far off. Technically, we were aliens. I may have been a Shadeow, the Zareina, but I had been born in the human realm, to human parents. My appearance had not taken on all the features of a Urenphian, like Devian's had. In fact, Devian was probably the first ever Shadeow that they'd witnessed to have been recruited from the human realm. He probably looked strange to them too, in some ways.