Clouds Over the Sea

Chapter 14: The Coral Castle

The next morning, after a peaceful night, Elowyn found herself again in Thorn's company. Their stroll through the city had felt like a gentle pause in the whirlwind of her training, and the quiet moments they shared had left her thinking of the kingdom in new ways.

As they walked out into the palace grounds the water around them was cool and still, the soft sway of the current carrying the faint, rhythmic pulse of the sea. The palace grounds extended beneath the waves, where the coral structures of the kingdom stretched outward like living spires, their glowing hues of purple and turquoise illuminating the underwater world in a soft, otherworldly light. Elowyn had grown used to this submerged wonder—the way the sea breathed and cradled the palace—but today, as she walked beside Thorn along the ocean floor, the atmosphere felt different.

The weight of the ocean above them seemed to press down on Elowyn and Thorn, and the silence between them was heavy with meaning. Elowyn's mind was racing with questions, but she wasn't sure how to ask them.

"Thorn," she began, her voice thoughtful. "I've been hearing whispers of a place—a castle made of coral—that stretches so high it touches the sky. The Coral Castle, they call it."

Thorn glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "You've heard of it?"

Elowyn nodded, her curiosity piqued. "I've heard it's hidden from human eyes—shrouded in magic, but it's said to be a marvel, rising up from the ocean like some kind of mirage. They say it's beyond the horizon, beyond the reach of the cities. Is it real?"

Thorn's gaze turned to the horizon as well, his expression becoming distant for a moment, as though he was lost in thought. The sea breeze ruffled his hair, and he took a deep breath, steadying himself.

"It is real," Thorn said, his voice soft. "But it is not a place for most to see. The Coral Castle is as old as the first waters that shaped this kingdom. It's the heart of the royal family's power, and it holds more than just beauty—it holds history, secrets, and ancient magic that even the ocean cannot fully reveal."

Elowyn's eyes widened with intrigue. "So it's hidden from humans?" she asked. "How? I've never heard of anyone visiting it."

Thorn nodded, his voice lowering. "It is hidden by a powerful enchantment. The castle itself is real, but to human eyes, it is nothing more than an illusion. A mirage. It's placed just beyond the reach of mortal senses, so those who are not of the sea cannot see it. Even if you were to sail far beyond the horizon, you would never find it unless you were meant to."

Elowyn's thoughts raced. A place like that—hidden in plain sight, so close, yet unreachable—seemed like a dream woven into reality. She felt a deep yearning to see it, to step into that magical realm where the ocean and the sky met.

"But... if it's hidden from humans," she murmured, "is there any way to visit it? Can we, as... as people of the kingdom, see it?"

Thorn's gaze softened, and a small, wistful smile appeared on his lips. "Not without a purpose. The Coral Castle is not a place you visit out of curiosity. It has a will of its own, shaped by the magic of the ocean and the will of the royal family. It's a sanctuary, a place of deep magic and protection for the monarchy. It was never meant to be a tourist attraction."

He paused, his gaze turning serious. "The castle exists in a space between worlds. It is not just a physical place—it is part of the kingdom's essence, a manifestation of both the sea and the sky. Those who go there are those who are chosen, or those who need something from it. And even then, the castle itself must allow it."

Elowyn's heart sank a little. "So, you're saying we can't just... visit?"

"No," Thorn said, his voice gentle, but firm. "Not unless it's necessary. The magic that hides the castle is ancient, tied to the kingdom itself. Even I, with all my abilities, could not find it unless it chose to reveal itself to me."