‘I’m from an Airborn household. My entire family are air manipulators. I wasn’t always happy about it, but these days, it seems to fit me.’

She considered her response but quickly noticed that the two guards had moved closer to her, watching her carefully.

‘The king and queen are very kind,’ Claye said quietly, like he had read her mind.

‘What magic do they have?’

‘You’ll be able to tell soon.’

He was right. As they moved through new corridors, the walkways were lined with shimmering water. Fountains bubbled in every corner. Flags in varying shades of blue hung from the wall.

‘I told you,’ Claye whispered, the corners of his eyes twitching.

At his words, she wiped away her look of bewilderment and fixed a scowl in its place, but he didn’t seem to mind as he guided her to a small door. Inside was a washroom much larger than any she had ever seen. It was white with gleaming gold finishes, with not a towel out of place and not so much as a speck of dirt.

It was so perfect that it was almost infuriating.

‘Please take a few moments to clean yourself up. A simple gown has been provided for you – if you should need assistance, simply knock twice on the door and it will be provided.’

The gown that had been left for her was made of the nicest fabric that she’d ever touched, soft against her aching muscles. She stared at herself in the mirror once more, never having a dress free of stains or wear before.

She opened the door to find Claye waiting.

‘That is much better.’ He began to usher her down the corridor.

Mercy, she was scared.

Dread settled upon her shoulders. And her fear intensified as she caught sight of two large gold-plated doors. Engravings of the Gods adorned them, and she couldn’t pull her focus away because she knew, without a doubt, what – or who – resided on the other side. Would they order her to be returned to the dungeons where she would be left to rot? Or execute her as a show of power? Maybe they’d laugh, call her a silly child, and leave her to fend for herself in a world she didn’t understand.

She wasn’t sure which possibility scared her the most.

They paused in front of the doors for only a moment before Claye directed the guards to open them. He held out a hand, a signal for her to enter. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to push down the mounting panic in her chest, but the strong hand of one of the guards pressed against her back, forcing her to move forward. When she reopened her eyes, her vision filled with black spots as she struggled to keep herself upright.