All's Fair in Revenge

Chapter 15: Castle Moer

The skilled builders of Castle Moer had anchored the grand, glittering structure into a soaring, swooping cliffside. It had no business remaining upright when a breeze should send it tumbling into the Ortusalis' jagged rocks and churning turquoise tide. Many believed Hella's energy alone kept it upright awaiting the return of the goddess and her lover for whom it was built.

Tall flowing arches represented the woman's curves. Smooth marble and soft limestone imitated her skin. Curtains of gauzy ivy reflected languid waves of sea-kissed hair. Shallow steps led to a romantic perfumed courtyard. A small lake swallowed a gentle waterfall. Sunlit shutterless windows brightened bold paints and brilliant fabrics. Tasteful gold doused each room in the place.

Every facet of Castle Moer sung of Hella's love and humans both coveted and despised the grounds for it once they'd found a new god to believe in, doing everything in their power to erase her from their past.

They desecrated the lower levels with iron dungeons and erected cold, stone soldier quarters next to its lush gardenias. They built walls taller than mountains, cutting off the staggering view. They covered murals with dark tapestries and replaced lush furniture with hard woods. Doors were barred and entire wings blocked off from use. They even boarded some windows and emptied all but one grand fountain at the main entrance. Yet, no matter how many layers they peeled back, Castle Moer would always reflect the woman who wooed a goddess. And they hated her for it.

Through two gates and past the fountain, we rode, to a set of gleaming marble stairs. They greeted us with a shimmer. The prince asked for my hand but struggled to help me dismount. Liv had to help him.

"Remember," she whispered, stepping in line behind me. "The key to a good lie is to say little and remember all."

Inside Castle Moer, the prince paraded me past every courtier and noble gathered in the receiving hall as if I were some prize won on a hunt. He navigated between looming columns and cascading curtains, over tiled floors, and thick carpets, to the throne room where the awaiting king and queen of Dorsette sat like two old oaks rooted to a marble dais.

Upon approach, I was meant to kneel before his parents as a sign of sycophantic respect. I did no such thing. They may have been royals to Dorsette, but they were not mine. Kelvians had never bent to anyone. We would not start now.

Next to me, the prince cleared his throat and bent slightly at the waist in practiced subservience. He tried catching my intention, willing me to play along. I ignored both him and his expectant stare in favor of scrutinizing Wickham who entered at the back of the throne room. He rushed in like water through a dam, pushing the crowd out of his way as he took a place beside the queen. His hand unmistakably slid to his hilt, a flicker of possessiveness flashing in his eyes as if warning me to try something—anything—to give him a reason to cut me down.

"The Kelvian, I presume," asked King Enric IV who wore a heavy crown of gems and a heavier frown.

"The Kelvian has a name." The queen leaned back in her throne, looking me up and down with probing eyes. "It's Hana of kin Skulds and I've arrived to marry your son as requested." Around me, voices rumbled with aversion. Either I was not what they expected, or they disagreed with the crown's decision altogether; perhaps both. I stepped closer to Liv, our shoulders brushing. She squeezed my hand. We were surrounded by our enemy, and I had not anticipated the wave of fear crashing over me, cloaking the most rational parts of my brain. In the castle, I had no allies. I had no idea how its government worked. There was no one to trust, no one to protect me, or more importantly, Liv.