Authors: Aana Celestya
They traveled deeply through the palace, climbing higher to what Astrid assumed must be near its highest point. The halls here were even emptier here. Astrid saw no another soul in these shaded halls which had no windows, only cut out patterns along the very tops of the walls which let in only a pale, weak light. There was a strong smell of incense in the air and an aura of respect, like this place was somewhere sacred. Had he taken her to a church, she wondered?
Finally they reached a pair of heavy gilt doors, and Hestian stopped.
"This is as far as I go," He said, "You must continue alone."
"Why," Astrid asked, "What's through the doors?"
He ignored her and turned away, beginning to leave again.
"Hey!" She said sharply, following him, "Don't leave! Come back here and answer my questions! Who are you people? Why am I here?"
He stopped abruptly and for a moment she thought he was going to snarl at her again. Instead he just turned around, his expression deadly serious, and took a step towards her, closing the distance between them.
Astrid took a step back instinctively, wide eyed, but he only stepped forward again, following her as she stumbled backwards until her back hit the door. He leaned in close and her heart hammered as he loomed over her, staring intently into her eyes as moved in, so close she could feel his breath on her skin.
Then she heard a click and the door she was leaning against opened, spilling her backwards into the room beyond. Hestian, his hand on the latch looked down at her sprawled on the floor with an expression that was utterly unreadable. He shut the door without another word.
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1 … A Spirited Purchase
Chapter 2 … Language, Culture, and Promises… and Ogling
Chapter 3 … A Dark Word of Glittering Gems