Thick eyelashes blinked as he processed her questions, a wry smile curling his mouth. “Do you have a preference for what I answer first?”
Alex offered an apologetic wince, but he was used to her by now and took it all in his stride, not needing her to respond before launching in with his reply.
“I’ve been here since we came through Athora’s doorway— it dropped me straight off at the gates to the city.”
Alex arched an eyebrow, wondering at the fairness of that. Why had she been left to struggle aimlessly through the desert? But despite her annoyance, she was relieved to know Kaiden had been safe all along—if being trapped in a glass dome was considered ‘safe’.
“I don’t know why we were separated, but I did overhear some of our captors say something about you having to wander in the wilderness as part of a test before you could arrive here.”
Surprised, Alex asked, “They speak the common tongue?”
Kaiden shook his head. “Athora taught me some of the Tia Auran language during the years I spent training with him. Not much, but enough to get by.”
That will come in handy, Alex thought. “Go on,” she prompted.
“I don’t have much else to offer,” he said. “I’m not sure why we’re trapped in here, and I definitely have no idea what happened to you and why it took you so long to get here. I’ve been worried sick.”
“I was in the desert,” Alex told him, rubbing her cheek as if still feeling the sting of the biting sand. “It must be beneath us, down on the actual land. This cloud part of the world is very strange.”
Kaiden chuckled lightly. “I hear you. Did you see the city? Ostentatious, much?”
Alex felt her lips quirk in response, having had the same thought.
“Have you had a chance to talk to anyone yet?” she asked.
“So far I’ve only had contact with what I presume are guards. They brought me meals and let me out to use the facilities—which are as lavish as the rest of this place. No one has said anything to me, or answered any of my questions. Not even when I asked about you.”
Alex wasn’t sure what to think about that. She gestured to the three thrones on the dais. “Any idea who’s in charge?”
Kaiden gave a helpless shrug. “No clue.”
Releasing a quiet sigh, Alex wondered what they were supposed to do. Trapped inside the glass dome, they had few options—or none, really, other than to wait.
“I guess we should get comfortable, then,” she said, moving back to the cushions on the ground. But before she could so much as sit down, a bright flash of light made her raise a hand to protect her eyes. It was gone as quickly as it appeared, and when her vision cleared, the room was no longer empty, but full of people.
Alex hadn’t given it any thought, but if she had, she’d have presumed the Tia Aurans would look similar to Athora and Lady Mystique. Ancient beings, as old as time itself, with bodies weathered by age. However, that couldn’t have been further from the truth. Until now, the Meyarins had been amongst the most glorious of races Alex had ever seen. But the Tia Aurans were so far beyond the Medoran immortals that all she could do was stand there, mouth agape in wonder.
Like their city, the otherworldly race was resplendent. Looking at them was almost painful, almost too much to bear. The Meyarins, while beautiful, could at least be described as ‘human-like’, even if they were still impossibly attractive versions of Alex’s mortal race. But the glory of the Tia Aurans was simply… beyond. Dressed similarly to Alex and Kaiden, they looked like perfect specimens come to life. Their skin of varying shades all but glittered, their faces were youthful and flawless, their bodies were strong and without fault.
Alex had to struggle against wrinkling her nose at the evidence of their physical superiority. Not that their intimidating appearance was their fault—probably. But regardless, she had to resist the urge to back away as they peered into the dome at her and Kaiden, as if they were animals caged at a zoo.
“This is fun,” she murmured, not just a little creeped out by their silent observation.
Kaiden made a sound of agreement and stepped closer, enough that his side brushed up against hers, his proximity calming her steadily rising pulse.
As if answering an unspoken command, those closest to the dome each stepped backwards as one. A space opened up in front of Alex and Kaiden, allowing three of their number to step forward.
In the middle was a woman with a glimmering gold circlet across her brow imbued with sparkling crystals. Her skin was as black as night and her eyes glowed like silver starlight. A quick glance around had Alex noting that the eye colour was a common denominator amongst all those in attendance—they all had the same brilliant, if alien, silver irises.
The two others who halted with the woman were men, both staying slightly behind her. One was fair, with alabaster skin and platinum hair, while the other displayed a honeyed tan and darker features. Together the three painted a striking image; perfect beings side by side.
Alex had no idea what to expect now that those whom she presumed reigned from the three thrones at the top of the room were standing before her. She debated whether she should just blurt out why she was there, or perhaps demand answers as to why she and Kaiden were locked up in a glass prison.
But she didn’t have a chance to do either, because the woman spoke first, surprising Alex with her perfect use of the common tongue.
“I am Saefii, Empress of Tia Auras.”
Her voice was like sunshine, there was no other way to describe it. Melodic to the point that it was almost hypnotic, Alex found herself swaying forward slightly, hoping the empress would say more if only so she could experience the lyrical tone again.
“These are my advisors,” Saefii continued, “Calivere”— she motioned to the angelically pale man—“and Tayros”—she gestured towards her dark-haired companion. “Together we watch over this world and those who inhabit it.”
Saefii moved a step forward, yet still remained on the other side of the dome.
“You come from far away as trespassers to our sacred city,” she said, her silver eyes bright against her gloriously dark skin. “Never before have otherworlders from Medora or Freya entered our midst. We would have been curious, perhaps even welcoming, if not for this.”
The pale man—Calivere—stepped forward, holding something in his hand. It wasn’t until he loosened his grip and allowed the chain to partially slip through that Alex recognised the necklace. Her fingers moved to her throat where the Myrox bow-and-arrow charm had been clasped prior to them changing her clothes. A quick glance at her bare hands, however, and she was at least relieved to confirm that they hadn’t discovered the ring Athora had given her to conceal her shimmering skin. That was still firmly—if invisibly—on her finger.
“You entered Vardaesia wearing the mark of our sworn enemy,” Saefii said, her lyrical voice holding a low note of warning. “We can only conclude that your purpose here is nefarious, and unless you offer sufficient evidence to the contrary, we will have no choice but to enact preventative measures.”
Alex shared a nervous glance with Kaiden, but neither of them had a chance to ask what those measures would be, because Saefii wasn’t done.
“You have five minutes to explain, or you and your companions will be put to death.”