Serena

SUNLIGHT WARMS THE REALM. ITS YELLOW rays bounce off the lake, causing the clear water to glisten and shine with each movement it makes. A cloudless, expansive blue sky stretches above, its azure tint reflected in the liquid.

The trees and plant life here are so lush and vivid, it is hard to focus because you just want to look at everything and become one with the realm’s beauty.

My stomach clenches with apprehension as I listen to Zander and Tristan speak in hushed voices.

Tristan paces behind me, and when he stops, I watch his mirror image frown at me in the glass.

When our eyes meet, his frown deepens as he listens to his brother. I pay no attention to what Zander is going on about, because I can’t keep my eyes off Tristan.

The creases between his brows deepen and the need to smooth out the furrow surfaces within me. Something has caused him to worry, to change. He’s anxious about our uncertain future. More so than he was yesterday. His lips straighten in a grim line before he turns toward Zander.

“Laven will keep me informed.” Zander’s words are final and meant to end their conversation just as I tune in.

I twist and see Tristan staring at nothing at all, lost in thought. A moment later, his eyes connect with mine, causing my heart to stutter. He shoves a hand through his hair and glowers at the bookcase in the living room.

“What’s going on?” I ask in a soft tone.

“A complication,” he replies, then curses and begins to pace back and forth again.

My eyes slide to Zander, who is watching me solemnly. “Chancellor Davidson was murdered last night. He was found in his office this morning. Beheaded,” he explains.

When his words finally sink in I feel as though I can’t breathe. Henry wasn’t just the head of the Royal Protector Academy, he was also a close family friend. I look at Tristan.

He’s gauging me in the same way I’m gauging him.

“Henry is dead?” I ask, needing confirmation.

“Annabelle too. She was with him last night,” he replies.

“Late at night?” I repeat, surprised.

“As in, with him with him,” Zander alludes.

A blush heats my cheeks; I knew they were fond of one another, just not in a physical manner. She was so lovely.

“What happened?” I question.

“We’re not sure.” The edginess in Tristan’s tone is unsettling. “Gage and Nassa are attempting to find out.”

Gage. He was extremely close with the chancellor.

My eyes roam over Tristan. Although it’s subtle, it’s apparent to me. He may not be sure, but I can see he has an idea of what happened and isn’t going to share it right now.

“Is Gage . . . um . . . okay?” I ask Tristan cautiously, knowing how he feels about his biological father.

“No. He’s not. He’s devastated.”

“Your clan knows, too,” Zander points out. “They’ve asked that we keep you here under our protection. The Academy’s security has been breached, which means it’s unsafe for you to return for any reason, Serena.”

“You mean they want me to hide,” I counter.

Tristan’s eyes follow me with a protective possessiveness. “You will stay in this realm where I can protect you. I’m sorry for your loss, I am, but whoever did this was able to bypass an entire school of protectors, which means it was either an inside job or the demons are getting smarter and are able to use dark magic against gargoyles.”

Sadness sinks in. I was very fond of the elder gargoyle who ran my family’s school. I’ll miss him terribly.

Tristan approaches me with a prowl, stopping so close in front of me that I’m forced to tip my head back to see his face. His stance is confident and controlled.

“Please,” he adds, and my heart sinks.

The plea is unlike him. I study him, noticing he looks even more formidable than normal. He’s worried. “Okay.”

Zander shifts. “Even with everything going on, we’ll need to keep up appearances today and go through the motions. We’re expected to meet with Aoife shortly.”

“We’ll be right there,” Tristan answers for us, his eyes never leaving mine.

Zander disappears as Tristan moves closer and entwines his fingers in my hair. My breath catches as he leans in, inhaling my scent. When he pulls back, his cheek skims mine, and I shiver. His soft breath falls on my ear.

“You okay?”

I nod, shocked and saddened at the news. “Do you really think it was the dark army? I mean, Henry was smarter than to let his guard down. If they can get to him, then—”

His thumb brushes over my cheek, but he doesn’t answer my question. “On my honor, it’s you and me from this moment forward—whatever happens.” His deep voice vibrates throughout my body, sending waves of desire through me. “There is nothing for you to fear.”

I pull back from him so I can read his expression.

“I’m not afraid. I’m sad and worried. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt because they’re protecting me.”

He exhales slowly. “I can’t promise that won’t happen.”

“This is really bad, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, raindrop, it’s really fucking bad.”

Taking in a few deep breaths, I try to calm my racing heart. “Henry and Annabelle weren’t just friends, they were gargoyles. That made their lives my responsibility. Their blood was spilt while I was here—in your realm.”

“Stop. You are not seated on the throne yet. Don’t take this on,” he hushes. “Understand this, though: when you are on the throne, blood will be shed for your protection. That is our curse. You must accept this.” He looks me in the eyes.

I stand straighter and lift my chin. “You’re right. And as the future heir, I will fight off whatever it is trying to destroy my world and race. Or yours. And I’ll succeed.”

He leans forward and brushes my lips with his own for the tiniest of moments. “You’re incapable of failure.”

I blink at him a few times. “I’m incapable of escape.”

One hand travels down my back, as the other strokes my hair. “We should go. Aoife isn’t patient.”

I nod slowly and square my shoulders. He takes my hand and teleports us into the forest, under a canopy of emerald green leaves that appear to glow when the sun kisses them. Zander stands waiting for us in front a tree.

“About time,” he complains.

“Afraid of Aoife’s wrath?” Tristan asks as we approach.

“She bites,” his brother teases.

Moments later, we stand with him before the large tree. I look up. It soars higher than any tree I’ve ever seen.

“It’s a sequoia tree.” Tristan steps up beside me. “This particular one surpasses the height of the Hyperion tree.”

“Hyperion?”

“The humans’ tallest tree on the earth realm, standing over three hundred seventy-five feet tall,” he answers.

“By the grace, how colossal is this one?”

“Four hundred eighty-two feet.”

My lips part in awe at the sheer elevation.

“Huge, right?” Zander’s gaze is playful.

“Ginormous,” I push out on a breath.

“I knew you’d be impressed by size,” Zander banters.

I sigh at the underlying meaning behind his statement.

My voice is calm. “Must you turn everything sexual?”

“Once again, I. Am. A. Nymph. Sex is who and what I am,” he answers honestly. “And why is it that you are not affected by me? I’m designed to seduce you. But with you, nothing. No doe eyes. No weakness in the knees. Nada.”

I glance over at Tristan. “You’re just not my type.”

“You two are becoming annoyingly love-struck and as the third wheel in this little faux triangle, I don’t like it.”

I turn away and look straight ahead again at the tree. Its brownish-reddish bark is smooth, yet aged, with deep creases between the dips and valleys that adorn the trunk. There is no arch, just one lanky, strong column of bark that reaches skyward, climbing higher than the eye can see.

Tapered limbs cluster in certain areas and stretch outward from its core, like arms reaching out. A perfectly formed green triangle of leaves sits on top. The sun shining on the peak makes it appear as if it’s on fire.

At the base, strips of green and brown moss grow in a patchwork, like a dress, over the cracks and crevices of the trunk’s even lines. There are no branches that are dry, cracked, or broken.

It’s the most perfect tree I’ve ever seen.

“Would you like to greet her?” Tristan asks.

My gaze bounces between the tree and him. “Her? I-I don’t know . . . I mean, I don’t know how to,” I stammer.

Tristan smirks at me, and there’s something in his eyes as he assesses me—it’s like he’s never seen me before.

He steps behind me, his chest touching my back as he wraps his fingers around my left wrist. At his touch, my heart drums frantically in my chest and pounds in my ears.

Tristan guides us forward and I keep my eyes straight ahead, on the tree, even though I can feel his attention on my face.

He lifts my hand and places my palm upon the smooth-skinned trunk, his hand on top of mine, gently pressing.

Glancing upward, he whispers something in Greek.

Within seconds, an outline forms within the bark, startling me. Tristan lightens his grip and we take a step back. Long, lean legs lift and stretch out of the trunk, followed by an extremely tall outline of a curvy female body.

Two arms and a stunning face emerge last. The being’s skin color is similar to that of the tree trunk. It’s as if she morphed directly from the tree’s soul. She’s stunning.

Her back is still attached to the tree, making her appear as an extension of the trunk, like a naked tree hologram.

Both Tristan and Zander take a knee, leaving me standing awkwardly in awe and unsure what to do.

“Lady Sequoia,” Tristan greets.

The tall figure tilts her head. “Your Royal Highnesses,” she replies. Her voice sounds as if it’s being projected.

Both brothers stand and flank my sides.

“We have an appointment with Aoife,” Zander states.

“I am aware.” Her words echo in the quiet of the forest.

The sound of tree branches bending and twisting follow the motion of her head tilting in my direction. It’s eerie.

“You have brought the princess of the gargoyle race with you, have you not?” Lady Sequoia questions.

“We have,” Tristan replies, appearing apprehensive.

“Come closer, child,” she calls to me.

My mind whirls and I look to Tristan for approval. He dips his chin in consent, so I take a step closer to her.

“That is far enough,” she shrieks, panicking me.

Confusion sweeps through me at her sudden distress and I freeze, thinking I must have offended her somehow.

“You have not,” she replies, reading my mind.

My eyes widen, alarmed she overheard my thoughts.

“You heard me?”

“I am a tree spirit, I listen to everything.”

I remain silent.

“She has been marked.” Her words come out as a statement spoken in dread, not as a curious question.

Tristan stiffens next to me. “No,” he lies. “Our protector bond was severed. You may sense our lingering link.”

“Perhaps, Your Highness. Or perhaps, it is not old but new.”

A cool breeze lifts around us. I try to calm my emotions so the wind will settle down. It’s obvious he doesn’t want her knowing about the rekindling of the bond. Why is that?

Lady Sequoia’s leaves shift in the gentle wind, and her eyes slide to me. “An elemental gargoyle. How interesting.”

Her gaze cascades down on me in a judgmental manner.

“Can you make it rain?”

“I can manipulate and pull energy, not control or force.”

“What a shame,” the tree spirit tsks. “I’m so very thirsty, and the gesture would go a long way with my favor.”

Is she asking for a bribe? If we provide rain, she won’t speak of the bond she senses? She seems annoyed at my thoughts and I scold myself, because she can obviously read them.

My two escorts shift nervously next to me.

“We apologize for the lack of rainfall, Lady Sequoia. When I return, I’ll see to it that Oren allows for more storms.” Tristan appeases her using his formal prince tone.

She stands tall and casts a glare down at him. “I should hope so, Your Highness. The emperor’s interests seem to lie elsewhere these days. Outside of the woodland realm.”

“How so?” Tristan inquires smoothly.

“As I told Queen Ophelia, on several occasions, he has crossed the border into the earth realm,” she replies.

Tristan ponders her words. “Are you sure?”

“I am.” The tree stares back at him.

Tristan’s nostrils flare. “Thank you.”

A ringing sound appears out of nowhere, almost like a bell chiming, and on the side of the tree’s bark, a rainbow-colored ripple appears and shimmers. The portal gateway.

Lady Sequoia inclines her head toward it. “I bid you safe passage to and fro, Your Highnesses. Princess Serena.”

Zander and Tristan dip their chins. “Peace be with you,” they say in unison, and guide me toward the gateway.

We step through and enter a tunnel that seems made of a rainbow, walking at a fast pace toward the other side. The colors twist and turn, causing me to become light-headed, and I squeeze my eyes a few times to regain my center of gravity.

“Does every tree have a spirit?” I ask Tristan.

“Just those within the woodland realm. They protect our borders. Only certain woodland nymphs can see them.”

I grab his elbow, forcing us to stop. “I saw her, though.”

He frowns. “You wear my mark, so you carry the gift.”

“Is that what Queen Ophelia meant the last time we were here in the realm? When she said the forest has eyes?”

Tristan’s frown deepens. “Yes. The trees are part of our army, Serena. They see, hear, and report on everything.”

I chew on my lip. “Does Oren know this?”

“No. Only woodland nymphs know.”

“And now you do too, champ,” Zander adds.

“Why go to Laven then? Why not just ask the trees if they’ve seen Oren and Ophelia conspiring?” I pose.

Tristan and Zander share a knowing glance before Tristan shakes his head no at me in some type of warning.

My brows pull together before I remember that we’re still inside the tree trunk. Which means she can still hear us.

I nod my understanding and we take the last steps to the other side. Tristan leads me into a new realm, which is so blindingly bright, I’m forced to squint and lift my hands to cover my eyes. Behind us, the portal shrinks and closes.

“Daphne will open it when we return,” Zander states.

I throw a confused look his way, not knowing who Daphne is. I really should learn more about other realms.

“Daphne is the tree-morphing nymph on this side. She guards the gateways into and out of this realm,” he explains.

My lips part to say something, but he holds his finger up to his lips as we move farther and farther into the realm, away from the sequoia tree.

When we reach what appears to be a border, Tristan leans close to my ear. “My mother controls the woodland realm. The trees report to her daily. We must watch what we say.”

My brows pinch. “Wait, you lied to Lady Sequoia about our bond, then confirmed that I am marked while inside the tunnel,” I point out. “Wouldn’t she have heard that?”

“I only said you wear my mark, not that you bear it on your skin. If asked by the queen, I’ll say I gave you my necklace for protection while we visited Aoife. And if asked by the queen, then we know my mother is inquiring about my comings and goings with the tree spirits,” he adds.

“Meaning she’s having you watched,” Zander speaks up.

“Exactly.”

The two brothers exchange a look of understanding.

My gaze shifts to our surroundings. The lush forest continues for a few more feet, but then changes into something less wooded and more orchard-like in appearance.

Large, white, billowy clouds creep slowly over the new realm’s floor and float in an unhurried manner among the beautiful flora, which is sprinkled between spindly trees and twisted vines. It almost feels like a grove in the sky.

“This is the Garden of the Deities,” Tristan murmurs, his eyes focusing on mine. My pulse races as I stare into his gaze. Not out of fear, but out of pure need for him. Even here.

“Oh,” I manage to reply, forcing myself to tear my eyes from his, ending the surge of desire running through me.

Focusing, I recall my studies about this plane; it’s a realm dedicated to the gods and goddesses, allowing them to express themselves sexually and explore their cravings.

Swallowing, I focus on a golden pathway that disappears within the fluffy patches swirling throughout.

“Welcome to the naughty playground for the gods, goddesses, nymphs, and sprites.” Zander wiggles his brows and rubs his hands together. His excitement is palatable.

“Or heaven to you,” I tease.

His grin grows. “This is my favorite dimension, champ.”

“I bet it is.” I return his smile.

We follow Zander through the winding grove. I notice it’s filled with plants and flowers indigenous to Greece.

Large almond and apple trees shade certain areas of the flowery patches from the too-bright sunshine, filling the realm with an angelic golden glow, giving off a divine feel.

“Why is it so bright here?” I ask Tristan quietly.

“The deities’ powers increase nearer the sun. The closer to it they are, the more powerful they can become. It’s why Aoife lives here even though she is a nymph. Her beauty is powered by the sun, thanks in part to Helios. That, and she adores apple trees.” He smiles fondly, seeming to recall a pleasurable memory. I try not to stab him with my daggers.

“I’m more of a banana person myself,” I mutter under my breath, slightly jealous and annoyed.

Tristan tries not to smile. “Why is that?”

“Apples are either too sweet or too sour. I don’t trust them,” I reply in a frustrated tone. “You never know what you’ll get until you bite into it. They are deceptive. With a banana, it’s always the same flavor. Loyal. Trustworthy. Nontoxic.”

“Nontoxic?” He releases a chuckle. “Bananas are safe.”

“And yellow,” I add quietly. “One of my favorite colors.”

“Noted.”

“I like bananas,” Zander interjects from in front of us. “In smoothies and sometimes mixed with strawberries.”

“What about you?” I ask Tristan.

“I like apples. They’re unpredictable.”

I internally roll my eyes. Of course he does.

“Tell me more about Helios,” I say sharply, trying to change the subject as my resentment of Aoife rises.

“Helios is the sun god.” He looks away. “He spends much of his time in the earth’s sky each day, looking down upon the realm. This makes him an excellent resource, since he hears and witnesses everything in the human domain.”

“He spies on them?” I accuse. “Isn’t that against some sort of supernatural code of ethics?”

“He’s a god. Moral code doesn’t apply to deities. Besides, they don’t view it as spying, more like ruling.”

“Is Aoife his mate?”

“No, he’s already mated. Aoife is his consort.”

“His lover? And she knows he’s married?”

“She’s a nymph, Serena. It’s her calling to be his for pleasure only. As it is your calling to protect human souls.”

“Does he love her?” I ask, forcing myself to sound normal, because sometimes my world angers me.

One where treating nymphs as property is considered normal—expected—and treachery is child’s play.

“I suppose in his own way he does. She is his favorite. Allowed to reside in his home and stand by him as his wife does. He powers her beauty and in turn, she is a trusted confidant. Respected. Well taken care of, I assure you.”

“Is that why Laven suggested we speak with her?”

“Helios might know what Oren and my mother are up to, given Oren’s recent visits to the earth realm. In that regard, he’s most likely shared information with Aoife.”

“And you think she’ll share with you?”

“Given our history, yes, I do.”

“Right.” I pick up my pace to catch up to Zander, and Tristan follows suit. “Why not just meet with Helios?”

Zander’s shoulders tighten in front of me, but he keeps walking forward. Tristan grabs my arm, stopping us.

“I may have a royal title, Serena, but gods don’t meet with my kind. I’m half satyr which means in this realm, I’m nothing more than a being to be used for pleasure. A second-class citizen. Do you understand?”

My heart contracts painfully at his words. “No. You are half gargoyle. Which means you are equally as worthy.”

“That makes it even worse. I’m not even a pure nymph. I’m tainted. I have a polluted bloodline,” his tone is sullen.

I take his face in my hands and look him in the eyes.

“You are not tainted. Nor are you a second-class citizen. You are perfect. And you are mine,” I say breathlessly.

His hand reaches up, cupping my cheek, pulling my lips to his as he breathes against them, “We should keep going.”

Tristan pulls away from me, letting go of me completely before trying to catch up with Zander.

My footsteps are quick as I follow them in silence before I speak. “There are so many places I’ve only experienced in books.” I run my hand over a purple flower, admiring it.

“That is aconite,” Tristan states.

“I think you mean asinine.”

“No. The flower you’re touching is called aconite. Its leaves and roots are extremely toxic. The gods and goddesses apply it to the tips of their arrows when hunting.”

I remove my hand quickly and wipe it off on my pants. A small, amused smile graces his lips at my ridiculousness.

“See what I mean? Unprepared and sheltered.”

“You’re learning now, Serena. That is what matters.”

We continue through a canopy of white flowers resting on trees that line each side of the pathway. The spring blooms are in small clusters, looking like beautiful, draping cotton balls.

Tristan plucks one and hands it to me. “This is a melia tree. It secretes a sweet sap known as manna. It’s like honey. These trees are the first to have appeared in this realm. They are rumored to carry the blood of Heaven, which the gods and goddesses are said to drink in their tea and water.”

Bringing the flower to my nose, I inhale and meet his sparkling eyes. “Is it weird that it smells like my hair?”

He leans in and breathes in my scent. “No, because I think you smell like pure fucking heaven, raindrop.”

I shiver, reacting to him. My gaze falls onto his lips as I recall how they feel against mine. Heat rises to my cheeks.

His fingers brush over the color with a gentle caress before he takes my hand and guides me forward.

The path stretches over a small pool of deep blue water. Abundant waterfalls gently flow into it and beautiful white petals float on the water’s surface.

Naked female and male bodies inhabit the azure pool, kissing and caressing one another without a care who sees. Zander throws a smirk over his shoulder at me, and I roll my eyes. Of course, he’d love the orgy scene around us.

We finally make our way up several stone steps. As we climb higher, I can’t help but notice that the clouds rising and surrounding us are even thicker and more prominent.

Once we reach the peak, the path opens into a beautiful lush courtyard with small, pallid palaces built out of white clay surrounding its outskirts.

Zander stops and turns to face us. “A couple things to remember, Serena. First, the deities rank higher than all of us, so you must show them respect. Second, sprites and nymphs serve the deities. Whatever a god or goddess requests, they will fulfill it. That is their purpose on this plane, as yours is to protect humans. Do not judge outwardly what you do not understand. They don’t like it.”

“Anything else?”

“Yes. Aoife angers easily. Don’t piss her off.”