Conquering The Unbroken

Chapter 57

Esaria's palace doesn't compare to Saebia's. The domed ceilings arch high, the windows even taller, the painted artwork dripping down the walls being what my wandering eye catches on to. The golden banisters winding along staircases, molding the gentlest curves up to second and third levels of the palace are what I run my fingers along as we're led through.

The marble floors are white and not a single other shade. Not a break, no flaw, not one piece of outplace and not a scuff of dirt. While Esaria's castle had the tendency to appear confined and restricting, the rooms here are endless. Their ceilings are only achieved by craning my neck to view them. The echo of our boots along the floors, the click of our heels, is too loud for the unbearable silence drenched in finery.

I'm not overcome by the chaos I might feel in the king's presence in our home kingdom. There isn't any of that pain here. The servants walk tall and smile at us as we pass, despite not knowing who we are. Yet the fact that we're in the king of Saebia's presence is to garner their attention. They don't clutch their baskets of laundry tighter or attempt to mold into shadows beneath staircases.

The guards post against pillars, staircases, and to the entrances of every residence and room. As we're led through the wide stretches of halls and past every domed window or one that reaches a strong arch, I spot the library. Although I can't do anything other than peek through the tall, open doors reaching the ceiling, golden spines and curved handwriting stare back at me. The books are in fine condition compared to Esaria's aged and lost collection.

I keep to Renit's side the entire time. The guard leading us to wherever we're going walks ahead with Tesha directly behind. They've taken to believing that she's the leader, not Alaric or Renit or myself—not even Bren. It's Tesha, the one they are familiar with and the one least likely to hurt them. This is her home despite every trial she has faced to find her way in a different land and serving on what appears to be a different side. Saebia means more than she might want us to believe.

She'd never admit it.

Our spins are rigid, yet our steps light. It'd be foolish to walk into this palace and expect to come out without facing an insult or disgruntlement. The king of Saebia doesn't want us here; he faced enough hell over these months and having the witches caused this to visit his home? We're not doing anything for morale.

Past every closed door or sitting area or dining area, we go through the castle at a quick pace. Silas never once leaves my side and Alaric brings up the rear with Citlali. Keeping an eye on things and being the first line of defense if the guard in the back becomes stab happy. In Saebia, an enemy land, it's possible.

The winding hallways and endless staircases come to an end when the guard takes a sharp right into two open doors. These doors, like the two leading into the library, reach the ceiling in a soft dome. A river of marble floor flows before us, and above that, a rug trails one end of the room to the dais.

Pillars support either side and in front of each, a guard is positioned. They refuse to shift upon our arrival. In fact, they don't seem to breathe, and they definitely avoid drawing their weapons to add more tension to this hostile situation.

I crane my neck to look past Tesha and the guard to discover a dais, and on that dais is a single golden throne. Not four, like Esaria. Only one. Either the king of Saebia has already gone into renovating this part of the palace for Renit and Silas's father, or he doesn't believe there's any use for another. Not for a queen or heirs. It was never mentioned that the future of Saebia or the family might face death. Underneath the king's control, I didn't care for who might fall. Now my stomach churns. No children. Please, no children.