The boardwalk was crowded with men moving crates and barrels from ships while women looked over fish lined up on tables, recently caught that morning and ready to be sold. Conversation hummed across the port. Children laughed as they ran between the cargo and ship workers. The smell of smoke, fish, and sea filled the air.

Selene took it all in, her hands clasped in front of her. Though both were port cities, there was a wildness to Nor Esen, whereas Lux Casta felt civilized and was at least twice as big as the capital of the Northern Shores.

The Ros Marinus came to a stop. Two of the sailors hauled out a wooden plank, while another opened the railing. The plank was placed within the opening, and all three sailors disappeared down the ramp. The other sailors scurried across the deck, securing the ropes and sails as Captain Stout and his first mate shouted orders.

She looked back at the door that led to the cabins. Just when she thought about searching for Damien, he emerged from the narrow door with Taegis and Karl.

“Selene.” Damien crossed the deck and stopped beside her. He wore a blue cloak embroidered in silver and a matching vest. Her own gown matched his, as they both wore the colors of House Maris. He placed his hand around her waist while he motioned toward the city ahead. “Welcome to Lux Casta.”

He seemed almost completely relaxed. Almost. His smile almost genuine. The sparkle in his eye almost there, but not quite reaching all the way. A darkness still hung over him, the smallest shadow, like when the sun is shining brightly and one’s shadow is only a shade beneath one’s feet.

But it was there, and she could see it. The light inside of him had dimmed, and she wanted to know why.

After the ship was secured, the small party left the boat. It took Selene a moment to adjust to the solid ground after being at sea for a fortnight. Taegis led the way, with Damien walking by her side. Karl brought up the rear. Others from the ship would join them at the castle, along with their belongings.

The first wall separated Lux Casta from the boardwalk. Immense gates as thick as a man and as high as a two-story building opened the way into the city. Symbols of the sun were engraved in the dense wood. On the other side of the wall, streets spread out around the city, each one lined with white stone buildings, lush trees, and cobblestones. Lux Casta had the feeling of eternal summer, and Selene wondered if it ever snowed here.

Halfway through the city, a contingent of guards dressed in silver chainmail with white tabards and the symbol of House Luceras met them. The tallest soldier stepped forward. “Lord Leo sent us to escort House Maris to the Palace Levellon.”

Taegis spoke for the group. “Thank you. Please lead the way.”

The contingent split into two, with half of the soldiers in front and the other half in the back. They continued along the streets, following each curve as they went higher toward the palace in the center of Lux Casta.