* * *

By the time they’d made it to the stable and found someone to care for their beasts, it was dark out, forcing them to trudge the rest of the way with nothing but vendor lights and moonlight to guide them.

She craned her neck back as they finally approached the palace gate, taking in what little she could see—which wasn’t much other than the fact it was fucking huge. She knew her eyes were probably taking up her entire face, but she couldn’t help but gawk. This was the home she should’ve grown up in.

It was a shame her enhanced sight couldn’t help her see in the dark—not that she could’ve focused her power well enough regardless. But exploring the grounds would apparently be yet another thing she’d have to push off until tomorrow.

Two male guards, sporting light leather armor and sheathed swords, monitored their approach. Their eyes flicked quickly past Jaeros, clearly used to his face, but hesitated on her hooded frame. Their lingering attention made Jaren pull her closer, resting his hand on his dagger as he stared back.

But they said nothing as Jaeros spoke quietly to them, before glancing away from her and nodding. Vera’s nerves shot in every direction, wondering who he’d said they were in order to get them past the gate. They hadn’t discussed whether he’d introduce her as herself or not, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about it. But Jaren seemed unworried as he gently caressed a thumb along her waist.

After another minute and a gruff nod, the guards stepped aside without a word, letting Jaeros through and aggressively gesturing for them to follow.

She swiveled her head side to side, squinting and trying to absorb every bit she could of the courtyard they walked through. They continued following Jaeros around the side, wandering off the main pathway onto a much skinnier, well-worn path. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but a nondescript door nearly hidden in the dark wasn’t it.

“The cook’s entry,” Jaeros said as way of explanation, and pushed open the door to reveal a long, dim hallway leading to a narrow set of stairs, empty apart from the lit torches on the walls.

She moved to follow, but Jaren laced his fingers with hers, pulling her back and pausing at the entrance. “You’re sneaking us in? I thought you said they’d take your word for it?” His tone was saturated with clear, unveiled disdain.

Jaeros turned from where he’d been about to ascend the staircase. “What, you thought you’d just waltz her through the palace unnoticed? A palace lined with multiple large portraits of previous queens, including her mother, I might add.” At Jaren’s silence, he scoffed. “That’s what I thought. Let’s go.”

He led them up the stairs and down several hallways, all just as plain and dim as the first, only stopping to talk to one young female who nodded at his question and smiled warmly.