A smaller wall surrounded the castle, and the street led up to gates made of similar grey wood. They were open, with a guard on either side. The guard on the left waved them inside, a frown on his face as Damien rode by, assisted by Taegis.

The courtyard to Northwind Castle was small compared with Rook Castle. A wide stairway led up to ornate double doors, while a narrower staircase followed the right side up along the wall. Walkways with arched windows lined the second and third stories. Two guards marched across the courtyard, dressed in leather with a blue tabard.

Taegis pulled up on the reins and stopped his mount in the middle of the courtyard. “Jenkin! Bryce! I need your help.”

The two men rushed over. “Jenkin, help me get Lord Maris to the court healer. Bryce, run ahead and make sure Healer Sildaern is there. If not, find him immediately.”

“Yes, sir,” the men responded, the shorter one running toward the double doors, taking the steps two at a time, while the taller one stood beside Taegis’s horse and lifted his hands.

Damien blinked his eyes and looked around. “Northwind?”

“Yes,” Taegis said as he placed one of Damien’s arms over his shoulder. “We’re home.” The other guard did the same, and between the men, they assisted Damien up the stairs and through the front doors.

Selene started after them, leaving the horses and Cohen in the courtyard. She had no desire to be left behind, and deep down she was worried about Damien. What would happen to him? What would happen to her if he . . .

She clenched her hands. No, I’m not going to think about that now.

No one met her at the front doors, so she walked in.

The walls, ceiling, and floor inside the castle were also made of cool grey stone. A large circular rug made of light blue encompassed the main floor. Three hallways led away from the room, each one lined with light blue runners trimmed in silver. A decorative railing graced the second floor where the three hallways met above and circled the open entrance hall. Windows were interspersed between the second-floor corridors, letting in natural light. At the very top hung an intricate silver chandelier, ready to light the area at night.

She paused for a moment, taking it all in. She had imagined a cold, dark castle, similar to how she had first envisioned the Northern Shores. Instead, there was a cool beauty to this place. Then it hit her. This . . . this was her new home.

Taegis, Damien, and the guards disappeared along the hall to the right on the first floor. She hurried forward, her cloak swishing behind her.

There were no pictures on the walls. Instead, images of the sea were carved into the stone: waves, fish, turtles, and creatures and plants she had no names for. So beautiful. And so different than Rook Castle, with its dark stone and open airways. Part of her wanted to reach out and touch the uneven surface, but she held her hand in place. She had no time, not if she wanted to keep up with Taegis—