“Welcome to Thayaria, Prince Hawthorne,” the female says with a menacing smirk. “I’m Nemesia Nestern, the Chair of the Council of Advisors of Thayaria. I will be aerstepped to Velmara as your counterpart shortly, but I couldn’t miss the opportunity to greet you as you enter Thayaria.” So, this is the famous General who led Thayaria’s armies in the war with Velmara. Her reputation for being nearly as fierce as the Witch Queen herself tracks with the female standing before me. I scan the faces of the females behind Nemesia, wondering which is Queen Laurel and why she hasn’t identified herself. I find only stoic expressions staring back at me. “You will not find Her Majesty among us, if that is what you look for. Queen Laurel does not need to be present to extend her will to the mist and allow you and your court to enter Thayaria.”

I work to keep my face neutral. If the mist is the result of blood magic, I expected that Queen Laurel would need to be present with blood to cast spellwork to part the mist. We were briefed by my father’s aethermasters that she may even require samples of our own blood to allow us to pass. I glance at Silene, wondering if she’s thinking the same thing as me. Her face is thoughtful, brows furrowed, and lips pursed.

“Of course,” I say with a wide and charming smile. “She must be very busy. Thank you for greeting us in her stead.” Nemesia’s gaze only hardens, and she squares her shoulders as she crosses her arms.

“Please do follow us through the mist barrier,” the male says, his voice a bit kinder. “It’s thick for about twenty paces, but once you’re through you’ll find visibility is rather normal the farther you travel from the coast.” With that, the group of Thayarians turn and begin to walk back through the mist. I hesitate for only a moment, then push forward through my trepidation. Silene and especially Fionn need to see my confidence in order to take those steps themselves into the thick haze.

As soon as I cross the misty barrier, visibility is completely gone. I feel Fionn place his hand on my shoulder and hope Silene has done the same behind him. The mist has an energy to it I did not expect, almost like it’s sentient. It laps at my face and hands, stroking gentle caresses across my skin. As it slides down my back, I relax, certain it’s safe and won’t harm me or my friends. When I reach the edge of the barrier and take my first steps into Thayarian territory, it lingers at my side for just a moment, like the tendrils don’t want to let me go, before it snaps back into the barrier that is more wall than mist.