Adrian nodded. “At least they can move on.”

We walked along the narrow road, passing a fountain in the middle of what looked like a town square, Adrian happy to leave his family’s mansion behind. We turned left and I came to an abrupt halt, gaping in awe at the breathtaking sight in front of me. “Is that what I think it is?”

“That depends,” Adrian said with a grand flourish of his arm. “If you think it’s Queen Rhea’s palace, then you are right.”

The palace looked more primeval than any bone left in the soil. Trees surrounded it like great armies defending their citadel, their armored trunks reached out protectively in the air. The vast expanse of green enhanced the palace’s eeriness and beauty as an iron portcullis guarded the passage. There were Palace Guards everywhere, from high up on the circular towers to in front of the enormous gate blocking the entrance.

“Enough sightseeing.” Adrian chortled. “We have a mission, remember?”

At last we arrived at the building that had brought us here. The Royal High Court Academy was built to look like the Parthenon. I’d only seen the replica in Nashville, not the original in Athens, but this place was a sight to behold. In a courtyard to the side of the building was a giant statue of Apollo in front of a small temple, which was fitting since, on top of being the god of the sun, he was also the god of knowledge—among other things.

Fully aware that we had no time to waste, Adrian grabbed my hand and hurried me to the side of the building to a service entrance. Unlike at the palace, no guards were watching over the school. All I had to do was follow Adrian. Despite the fact that the school was empty for the December festivities, the feeling that we would be caught washed over me. I knew it was a bad omen to say it, so I didn’t utter a word, keeping my mouth tightly shut. I assured myself that if I did get caught, at least I had Adrian. Being a Pure Royal had its advantages, one of them being wiggling out of trouble—including trespassing, I hoped.

“Here,” Adrian handed me the access card as we made a left at the intersection and soon faced a gigantic door. A girl was standing in front of it. “Oh shit.”

“What?” I looked at his worried face and back at the harmless-looking girl standing there, her head ducked down, focused on the book in her hands. Judging from Adrian’s reaction, you’d have thought a three-headed dog was guarding the library’s door. “It’s just a girl.”

“Dear Poseidon, help us.” Adrian groaned exasperatedly then looked at me. “It’s not just a girl, Montgomery. She’s Eulabeia.”

“Yew-la-what?”