The second set of gates that led into the courtyard of the palace were smaller than the main gates, but more ornate. Pictures of the sun were interwoven with images of the hills and city of Lux Casta within the wood. Such artistry.

And the courtyard . . .

Selene drew in a breath. Beyond the palace walls was a courtyard of manicured green grass with a stream running through the midst. A path of smooth river stones split at the stream near the gate and ran along either side toward the wide staircases that led into the palace. Past the lush grass on either side were rows and rows of the most colorful flowers she had ever seen. Farther in, near the palace, stood a great marble fountain spouting misty water into the air and into the stream.

It was breathtaking. The most amazing courtyard she had ever seen. It even rivaled the castle garden that Petur attended back at Rook Castle.

The soldiers took the path on the right and led the company toward the front of the palace. Selene marveled at each flower they passed. Beyond the flower gardens were carefully sculpted bushes. There was nothing wild, nothing out of place. Everything was perfectly shaped, each bud, each flower, each leaf in exact position. Selene shook her head. It had to take an army of gardeners to keep such a place.

They bypassed the three-tier fountain and headed up the steps. At the top, the first soldier opened the door. The leader of the unit turned and dismissed the rest, then spoke to Taegis. “House Luceras waits in the audience chamber to greet you. I will take you to them.”

Taegis nodded in acknowledgment.

The inside of the palace was as grand as the outside. High ceilings and smooth white stone lined the halls. Stained-glass images of grand lords and ladies dressed in white with golden hair and serene looks on their faces lit the way, leaving pools of color along the marble floor.

Selene studied the images. What was House Luceras’s history? How exactly did their gift of light work? Did they truly follow the Light, or was it just a mask they wore, like the one worn by House Ravenwood?

The soldier stopped in front of a set of white doors and opened the nearest one. Taegis stepped aside to let Damien enter first. Damien glanced at Selene. His eyes seemed to ask her if she was ready. She gave him the smallest nod, although her heart was thumping inside her chest. The only other time she had met the family of House Luceras was at the Assembly of the Great Houses, and even then, she never spoke to them. Now she was entering their hall as the new wife of their closest ally—and as the daughter of one of their greatest enemies.

“Greetings, House Maris,” Lord Leo said from the dais at the front of the hall, his voice echoing across the cavernous room. “Welcome to Lux Casta and Palace Levellon.”