Vardaesia Read online

  Alex would have crouched down to explore with her fingers had she not been so transfixed by what else she was seeing—by the city that was resting atop the clouds and rising high into the heavens.

  ‘One does not live a single day amongst the splendour of Tia Auras and then choose to leave.’

  Given the view before her, Alex could understand why Athora might have made such a bold statement prior to her leaving the Library.

  The city was made of gold.

  Brilliant, shining, almost overpowering gold.

  Spiralling arches reached dizzyingly high before cresting back down again, like semi-circles of shining, curved light. The design reminded Alex of Meya—but an impossibly more advanced Meya, with spires that were spherical and horizontal rather than straight and vertical. The gold was nearly blinding, but added to that were glass highlights— or perhaps diamond, given the rainbows bouncing off the arched, transparent towers. The effect was breathtaking, with even the fluffy, white clouds surrounding the city taking on the dispersed light and absorbing the colour, like kaleidoscopic mountains.

  Athora had been right—the splendour of Tia Auras was beyond compare.

  But Alex also couldn’t help thinking it was a little over the top, especially with the periwinkle-blue sky still streaked with stars, like an unending daytime meteor shower. The visual overload was too much; too bright, too colourful, too perfect.

  Was it beautiful? Definitely. But Alex had seen her share of beauty. She knew better than to be swayed by a pretty view. She was here for only one reason, and it wasn’t to play awed tourist.

  Determined to carry out her mission, Alex took a wobbly step forward, half expecting the clouds underfoot to start acting like they were supposed to and give way. But when her weight came down on the cottony ground, it remained solid. Like walking on packed fairy floss, there was perhaps a hint of springiness, but otherwise the surface remained fully stable.

  One step after the other, Alex pressed onwards towards the entrance to the city. It was still a fair distance away, as if the Library had dropped her far enough back so she could first take in the view. Delivering her to the middle of the action would have been more pragmatic, but she was grateful for the chance to get her head together and gain a better idea of what she might be dealing with once she arrived.

  After perhaps ten minutes of trekking across the cloudy landscape, Alex approached two great, golden gates reaching high into the sky. They were open, inviting, but that didn’t make them and the city they led to any less daunting.

  The fact was, Alex had no idea what to do or where to go once she stepped into the golden domain. While she could understand the language of the Tia Aurans thanks to her inner translator, she couldn’t speak it, and she had no idea if they’d be able to understand the common tongue of Medora—or Freya. More and more she was realising that she should have asked Athora some pertinent questions before venturing to his home world.

  With a deep breath, she stepped through the gates, her plan being to seek out the first person she could find and try to communicate that she needed to speak with whoever was in charge. She had no idea if it would work, but it was the best she could come up with.

  As it turned out, she needn’t have bothered considering her options, because as soon as she crossed the threshold, a trickling sensation shivered down her spine, followed closely by what felt like a needle stabbing into her temple.

  She cried out at the sharp pain, the agony enough to send her to her knees. Unable to fight off the invisible attack, she keeled over onto the cloudy ground and was unconscious before she could so much as wonder what had happened.

  For the first time in days, Alex felt comfortable and at ease. Her head was cushioned by something soft, and gentle fingers were playing with her hair, the sensation causing her entire body to relax.

  She didn’t want to open her eyes, didn’t want to discover it was a dream and wake to the reality of still being in the unending desert. But then she remembered that she’d already left the desert.

  Clouds.

  She recalled seeing rainbow clouds. And a city of gold and diamond so bright that even the memory burned the back of her eyes. She also recalled stepping through gates that had prompted her being stabbed in the brain by an indiscernible weapon. And now here she was, no longer in pain—very much the opposite.

  Blinking herself into awareness, it took a moment for Alex to comprehend where she was. Or rather, why she was where she was, and who she was with.

  Because, from what she could tell, she was lying with her head in Kaiden’s lap.

  “Hey there, Sleeping Beauty,” he said, smiling softly down at her. “How’s the headache?”

  His words were quiet, almost as if he was afraid of causing her more pain. She had to struggle against melting at his concern. Instead, she pushed herself up into a seated position and didn’t hesitate to lean forward and wrap her arms around him.

  Startled, it took him a second to return her embrace, but then his arms circled her waist, pulling her tightly against his warm, strong body.

  Alex took longer than she should have to let him go. And when she finally released him, she struggled to look him in the eyes, embarrassed by her display of affection. But he reached out and tilted her chin up until she met his gaze.

  “Not that I don’t appreciate a good hug, but do you want to tell me what that was for?” he asked.

  Alex resisted the urge to look over his shoulder as she answered, “I just—I was worried about you. When I arrived and you weren’t with me… I didn’t know what had happened.”

  Kaiden’s expression warmed and he moved his hand from her chin to tuck a strand of loose hair behind her ear. “I was worried about you, too. I thought you’d get here much sooner than you did. And when you didn’t…”

  He trailed off, but he didn’t need to finish, since Alex could see the concern lingering in his eyes.

  “What happened to you, Alex?” he asked. “When they brought you in, you were a mess.”

  Heat flooded her cheeks at the idea of just how terrible she must have looked upon her arrival. Her relentless time in the desert had left her skin rubbed raw from both windburn and the lashing sand, while her lips had been scabbed and chapped from prolonged exposure. And her clothes… they would have been just as unappealing as the rest of her after she’d trudged through the dunes for almost a whole day.

  The thought of Kaiden seeing her like that made her want to crawl into the nearest hole, but she knew he’d seen her much worse. Not just in their Combat and SAS classes, but also when she’d happened upon him after some of her more ruthless adventures. And besides, it wasn’t like there was anything she could do about it now.

  But… Raising a hand to her face and touching her lips, Alex could feel that she no longer bore any evidence of her hours spent in the desert. Not only were her hunger and thirst sated, but, glancing down, she saw that her skin was completely healed. Furthermore, she wasn’t wearing the jeans and jacket she’d sported upon arrival in Tia Auras; instead, she wore a white dress that covered only one shoulder and had gold banding circling around her waist. The outfit was floor-length with a long slit down the side, revealing gold, strappy sandals curling halfway up to her knees. Added to that, on her bare-shouldered arm, there was a shiny cuff around her bicep, the spiralling design beautiful. In fact, the entire ensemble was beautiful. But still—

  “Please tell me you didn’t change my clothes.”

  Kaiden’s lips twitched and Alex felt her heart skip a beat, fearing his answer. But then he shook his head and said, “No. I saw you when they first carried you past, but they returned you here after they’d healed you and swapped your clothes. They did the same to me.”

  Relief swept through Alex and she looked at him properly for the first time. He was also wearing white from top to bottom, but instead of a dress, his outfit included linen pants and a billowing, long-sleeved shirt that was partially unbuttoned, showing off the tanned column of his neck
and upper chest. Alex felt her mouth turn dry at the sight, but she also wondered why they were both dressed like Grecian royalty.

  Recalling what he’d said about people carrying her ‘past’, she turned from him, her gaze widening and then narrowing as she took in the room they were in, the sight prompting her to rise on unsteady feet.

  Enclosing the two of them was a transparent barrier, like a large glass dome over their heads. Within the space was just the bed of cushions that she and Kaiden had been resting on. Otherwise, nothing. But outside of the dome… they were in the middle of a throne room. A set of shining stairs led to three gilded chairs overlooking the vast space of which they were currently the only occupants. The room was beyond decadent, with golden pillars leading to an arched ceiling hung with diamond chandeliers. Yet despite the intimidation of such an awe-inspiring sight, the space was silent in its emptiness.

  Alex reached out and pressed her hand against the barrier, finding it solid to the touch. “Are we trapped in here?” she asked Kaiden as he moved to stand beside her.

  “I’ve tried everything,” he said. “The only way it comes down is from the outside.”

  Alex turned to him and every thought she’d been holding in spewed forth in a steady stream. “How long have you been here? What happened? Why were we separated? How did you even get here? Where is here? And who’s holding us captive?”

  Thick eyelashes blinked as he processed her questions, a wry smile curling his mouth. “Do you have a preference for what I answer first?”

  Alex offered an apologetic wince, but he was used to her by now and took it all in his stride, not needing her to respond before launching in with his reply.

  “I’ve been here since we came through Athora’s doorway— it dropped me straight off at the gates to the city.”

  Alex arched an eyebrow, wondering at the fairness of that. Why had she been left to struggle aimlessly through the desert? But despite her annoyance, she was relieved to know Kaiden had been safe all along—if being trapped in a glass dome was considered ‘safe’.

  “I don’t know why we were separated, but I did overhear some of our captors say something about you having to wander in the wilderness as part of a test before you could arrive here.”

  Surprised, Alex asked, “They speak the common tongue?”

  Kaiden shook his head. “Athora taught me some of the Tia Auran language during the years I spent training with him. Not much, but enough to get by.”

  That will come in handy, Alex thought. “Go on,” she prompted.

  “I don’t have much else to offer,” he said. “I’m not sure why we’re trapped in here, and I definitely have no idea what happened to you and why it took you so long to get here. I’ve been worried sick.”

  “I was in the desert,” Alex told him, rubbing her cheek as if still feeling the sting of the biting sand. “It must be beneath us, down on the actual land. This cloud part of the world is very strange.”

  Kaiden chuckled lightly. “I hear you. Did you see the city? Ostentatious, much?”

  Alex felt her lips quirk in response, having had the same thought.

  “Have you had a chance to talk to anyone yet?” she asked.

  “So far I’ve only had contact with what I presume are guards. They brought me meals and let me out to use the facilities—which are as lavish as the rest of this place. No one has said anything to me, or answered any of my questions. Not even when I asked about you.”

  Alex wasn’t sure what to think about that. She gestured to the three thrones on the dais. “Any idea who’s in charge?”

  Kaiden gave a helpless shrug. “No clue.”

  Releasing a quiet sigh, Alex wondered what they were supposed to do. Trapped inside the glass dome, they had few options—or none, really, other than to wait.

  “I guess we should get comfortable, then,” she said, moving back to the cushions on the ground. But before she could so much as sit down, a bright flash of light made her raise a hand to protect her eyes. It was gone as quickly as it appeared, and when her vision cleared, the room was no longer empty, but full of people.

  Alex hadn’t given it any thought, but if she had, she’d have presumed the Tia Aurans would look similar to Athora and Lady Mystique. Ancient beings, as old as time itself, with bodies weathered by age. However, that couldn’t have been further from the truth. Until now, the Meyarins had been amongst the most glorious of races Alex had ever seen. But the Tia Aurans were so far beyond the Medoran immortals that all she could do was stand there, mouth agape in wonder.

  Like their city, the otherworldly race was resplendent. Looking at them was almost painful, almost too much to bear. The Meyarins, while beautiful, could at least be described as ‘human-like’, even if they were still impossibly attractive versions of Alex’s mortal race. But the glory of the Tia Aurans was simply… beyond. Dressed similarly to Alex and Kaiden, they looked like perfect specimens come to life. Their skin of varying shades all but glittered, their faces were youthful and flawless, their bodies were strong and without fault.

  Alex had to struggle against wrinkling her nose at the evidence of their physical superiority. Not that their intimidating appearance was their fault—probably. But regardless, she had to resist the urge to back away as they peered into the dome at her and Kaiden, as if they were animals caged at a zoo.

  “This is fun,” she murmured, not just a little creeped out by their silent observation.

  Kaiden made a sound of agreement and stepped closer, enough that his side brushed up against hers, his proximity calming her steadily rising pulse.

  As if answering an unspoken command, those closest to the dome each stepped backwards as one. A space opened up in front of Alex and Kaiden, allowing three of their number to step forward.

  In the middle was a woman with a glimmering gold circlet across her brow imbued with sparkling crystals. Her skin was as black as night and her eyes glowed like silver starlight. A quick glance around had Alex noting that the eye colour was a common denominator amongst all those in attendance—they all had the same brilliant, if alien, silver irises.

  The two others who halted with the woman were men, both staying slightly behind her. One was fair, with alabaster skin and platinum hair, while the other displayed a honeyed tan and darker features. Together the three painted a striking image; perfect beings side by side.

  Alex had no idea what to expect now that those whom she presumed reigned from the three thrones at the top of the room were standing before her. She debated whether she should just blurt out why she was there, or perhaps demand answers as to why she and Kaiden were locked up in a glass prison.

  But she didn’t have a chance to do either, because the woman spoke first, surprising Alex with her perfect use of the common tongue.

  “I am Saefii, Empress of Tia Auras.”

  Her voice was like sunshine, there was no other way to describe it. Melodic to the point that it was almost hypnotic, Alex found herself swaying forward slightly, hoping the empress would say more if only so she could experience the lyrical tone again.

  “These are my advisors,” Saefii continued, “Calivere”— she motioned to the angelically pale man—“and Tayros”—she gestured towards her dark-haired companion. “Together we watch over this world and those who inhabit it.”

  Saefii moved a step forward, yet still remained on the other side of the dome.

  “You come from far away as trespassers to our sacred city,” she said, her silver eyes bright against her gloriously dark skin. “Never before have otherworlders from Medora or Freya entered our midst. We would have been curious, perhaps even welcoming, if not for this.”

  The pale man—Calivere—stepped forward, holding something in his hand. It wasn’t until he loosened his grip and allowed the chain to partially slip through that Alex recognised the necklace. Her fingers moved to her throat where the Myrox bow-and-arrow charm had been clasped prior to them changing her clothes. A quick glance at her bare hands, however, and
she was at least relieved to confirm that they hadn’t discovered the ring Athora had given her to conceal her shimmering skin. That was still firmly—if invisibly—on her finger.

  “You entered Vardaesia wearing the mark of our sworn enemy,” Saefii said, her lyrical voice holding a low note of warning. “We can only conclude that your purpose here is nefarious, and unless you offer sufficient evidence to the contrary, we will have no choice but to enact preventative measures.”

  Alex shared a nervous glance with Kaiden, but neither of them had a chance to ask what those measures would be, because Saefii wasn’t done.

  “You have five minutes to explain, or you and your companions will be put to death.”

  Alex froze at Saefii’s unyielding declaration, at the death sentence she and Kaiden faced. But she forced herself to relax, knowing they were there for a good reason, and that the empress would realise that upon hearing their explanation.

  However, just as Alex opened her mouth to launch into her tale, her forehead crinkled and she repeated, “Our… companions?”

  With an arched brow from Saefii and another searing flash of light, a second glass dome appeared in the room, right beside theirs.

  Oh, hell no, Alex thought, gawking at the sight.

  Because standing there in similarly elegant white outfits were Jordan, D.C., Bear and Declan, all of whom were staring back at Alex and Kaiden with identical looks of horror on their pale faces.

  Three

  “What the hell are they doing here?” Alex hissed out in a whisper to Kaiden. “How did they even get here?”

  Kaiden had no answer for her, knowing as little as she did.

  The last Alex had heard, D.C. and Jordan had gone to Woodhaven to support Bear and the rest of the Ronnigan family in the wake of William’s death. How they’d ended up in Tia Auras, she had no idea—nor did she have any clue as to why Declan was with them. All she knew was that if she and Kaiden didn’t convince the empress to revoke their group death sentence, then the lives of all their closest friends would be forfeit, along with their own.