Kaida's vehicle jostles on the open road, and her shoulder bumps across the door.
They were in an age where teleporters could take you from A to B within the blink of an eye, but sometimes nothing beats an old fashioned commute.
Kaida has travelled east, into the garden of Norta.
She peers out of the window and she is met by leagues of emerald green foliage, so thick that only bits and pieces of sunlight poke through to beam onto the earth.
She suddenly stops, seemingly in the middle of the forest and her door is opened.
An attendant takes her arm as she steps down.
Instantly the fresh air hits her nostrils, and the distinct musk of nature lingers.
As Queen, she arrives first.
Evangeline and Yuri travel together and exit behind her, taking their place by her left and right hand side.
Maven is somewhere unseen.
Kaida is greeted by a line of house Haven inhabitants, led by Lord and Lady Haven, both dressed in an immaculate and blinding white.
They were standing on literal dirt, but it seemed to evade them entirely, and they remained spotless.
Kaida approaches Lord Marcos Haven and he dips into a formal bow.
She has seen them before at balls and such, they were hard to miss. They always seemed to glow.
But up close, they were even more radiant.
He has wavy dark brown hair matching the colour of the ground they stood, with a few streaks of grey, telling of his age.
"Queen Kaida, we are ever so pleased to accept you as our gracious guest, as you prepare for the coming darkness. But never fear my Queen, light prevails."
The words flow out of his mouth like song.
She moves down the line to greet his wife, Lady Florette.
She is wearing a gown so beautiful, it could stand as an art piece. Sheer rivulets of white cloth drape down her body, appearing like blades of grass or even the delicate wings of a butterfly.
She shows off her body freely and raises a perfect brow at Kaida.
The slit in her dress is high, high enough to rival Kaida's.
It reveals, a gleaming chrome, metallic leg coming to end within a pointed silver heel.
Kaida tries not to gawk but it looked amazing. Sleek and geared, and entirely part of Lady Florette. The perfect prosthesis.
"My Queen."
Lady Florette reaches out to grasp Kaida's hand.
Yuri shifts uneasily but Florette calms everyone's nerves with a single look.
"It is a pleasure. If you ever need anything while you stay, please let us know. And be assured, you will be safe and undisturbed within our home."
Kaida politely smiles, and looks down the line. She spots Elane's red hair, lighting up the line.
But Elane is not looking at her, but instead at Evangeline, and the two women share a moment.
Kaida feels like she is intruding and she glances away.
"Speaking of home, where...is it?"
Kaida awkwardly asks, feeling bashful.
They were literally standing in the middle of a forest.
YOU ARE READING
𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐄
Romance[Completed - Book 3 of the Blood Court Series] ❝ You manipulated me. Did you think I would be happy? To see you sit on my throne. The throne you stole from me, while you let me die. Me...
