There were slate roofs and tin roofs painted green and shingled roofs, and tile.

The windows were square or arched or round.

The levels were stacked one on top of the other or had ladders or stairways leading up expanses of trunk to get to the next, or set away, farther down a branch.

Some of the structures were spherical, others square, others a jumble of shapes that fit amongst the tree where it resided.

There were barrels or colorful pots or wicker baskets filled with flowers adorning the ground below or the decks of balconies, or hanging off their railings.

And there were benches and forest stools and swayback chairs also in both places, some around firepits, others set beside meandering streams.

But there was not a single structure on land.

It was visually charming.

It was also, from a defense perspective, incredibly clever.

As they rode, Elena in the lead, Cassius behind her, the others pounding after them, he noted they were receiving attention as Nadirii came out of their homes to their balconies, or appeared on foot or mounted, coming from the trees.

And the sisters watched them ride.

The calls began to sound that he’d heard when in battle with them (as well as at the Nadirii parade at the coliseum in Fire City) as Nadirii upon Nadirii shared their princess was home.

And warned they had visitors.

Cassius had his sword in its hilt on his saddle, his daggers at his belt, another in his boot, but he did naught but keep his gaze on Elena’s back and follow her into what, with the significant increase in treehomes, was clearly the heart of The Enchantments.

He did not expect they’d have any reception but a wary one. Ophelia would see to that.

And he did not think at all about the fact that he, Macrinus and Hadrian were the first Airenzian males to ever be on Nadirii soil.

But if this startling event that made history was going to occur to him, it did not when Elena reined in her mount with Cassius following suit close to the largest and grandest treehome of them all.

And he heard, “Papa!”

His eyes went directly to the sound and his leg instantly moved to swing off Caelus as he saw his daughter’s auburn hair shining in the sunlight while she raced down the steps of the grand treehouse toward her father.

His sole focus his girl, he had enough time to get his boots on the ground, take two quick strides toward her and get into a crouch with his arms extended before Aelia was in them and he was up, lifting her with him and holding his daughter tight to his chest.

“My darling girl,” he murmured, his face stuffed in her hair.

“My darling papa!” she cried, her arms tight around his neck.