Niam

NIAM

I held my breath, hardly daring to believe the sight before me.

Blue rooftops spread across the valley below, a sea of azure tiles stretching from mountain slope to mountain slope. The castle palace perched on a distant spire overlooking what Tharon had called the Strait of Fear, though from this height the water looked peaceful enough.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathed, adjusting my grip on the villart’s reins.

Tharon’s chest rumbled against my back. “Wait until you see it up close.”

The clear air drew everything in sharp relief, making the city look pristine and welcoming despite its fearsome reputation. I’d expected something darker, more forbidding from the stories I’d heard of the Shakai capital.

“There’s no wall,” I said as we descended the path.

“Around the castle, yes. Two of them. The city itself?” Tharon shook his head. “Too large to wall completely.”

“I’ve never seen anything like it.” My eyes traced the impossible architecture - living gardens spilling down terraced walls, bridges spanning between spires that seemed to float on air.

“See there?” His hand stretched past my shoulder, pointing to different sections of the sprawling city. “The merchant quarter with its covered markets. The craft district where our artisans work. And there-” his finger traced upward to where the castle perched against the mountainside “-our home.”

Our home. The words sent an electric thrill through me, equal parts excitement and terror. What would they think of their prince’s human mate?

“They’ll love you,” Tharon murmured, reading my tension. “How could they not?”

A cloud of dust on the horizon caught my attention before I could respond. Riders approached, their banners snapping in the mountain wind.

“The welcoming party,” Tharon explained, straightening in the saddle behind me. “Including my brother.”

I studied the approaching group. At the front rode two figures - one massive and broad-shouldered, the other smaller and definitely female. As they drew closer, a familiar face emerged.

“Lita!” The name burst from my lips. She looked different astride her mount, dressed in Shakai finery, but her smile was exactly as I remembered.

The larger rider beside her must be Drax then - Tharon’s half-brother.

The honor guard fanned out around us, their formal dress glinting with silver accents. I fought the urge to shrink back against Tharon as dozens of eyes fixed on me.

“Welcome home, brother.” Drax’s voice carried easily across the space between us. His gaze shifted to me, curious but not unkind. “And welcome to you, . We’ve heard much about you.”

Before I could formulate a proper response, Lita had dismounted and was rushing forward. “Oh, look at you! I knew you’d win over those bastards.” She caught my hands in hers as Tharon helped me down. “But mated to this guy? That I didn’t expect.”

“Neither did I,” I admitted, taking in my friend's appearance - healthy, happy, away from the Temple's oppressive control.

“Speaking of which...” Lita released me long enough to gesture to a guard, who brought forward a wrapped package. “You’re going to be a princess. You can’t enter the city in traveling clothes. I have a present from Denna, ready for you.”

I glanced down at my dusty riding gear, suddenly conscious of how I must look. “I didn’t think...”

“That’s what friends are for.” Lita’s smile turned conspiratorial. “Come on, let’s get you ready.”

The guards efficiently erected two small pavilions - one for Tharon to change, one for Lita to help me. Inside, she carefully unwrapped layers of silk in deep blues and silvers.

“It’s beautiful.” I touched the fabric reverently. The cut followed traditional Shakai styling but I could see now the adjustments that blended Wandering Nation themes. “But I don’t know if I can...I’m not...”

“You are.” Lita’s hands were gentle as she helped me out of my travel clothes. “You will be their queen, . And you’ll be an amazing one.”

Tears pricked my eyes as she laced me into the dress, then fussed with my short hair until it lay just so. “I’m scared,” I admitted in a whisper.

“I know.” She held my hands tightly. “I was too. But look at me now - married to my heart’s mate, accepted by his people. If I can do it, you certainly can.”

A soft tap on the pavilion’s support pole interrupted us. “Are you ladies ready?” Tharon called. “The city awaits.”

Lita gave me one final critical look, then nodded approval. “Show them who you are,” she whispered before ducking out.

I emerged into sunlight that caught the dress’s crystal beading, sending rainbow sparkles dancing. Tharon’s intake of breath was audible.

“Perfect,” he breathed, extending his hand.

The procession into Zashi began at a stately pace, giving me time to absorb everything. We entered through the market district first, where stalls overflowed with exotic goods from across the lands. Spice merchants called their wares in musical voices while fabric sellers displayed brilliant silks that rivaled the sky for color. Children darted between the stalls, their laughter bright and free.

The craft quarter came next, workshops with their doors thrown wide to show apprentices learning freely from masters. A glassblower shaped molten crystal into impossible forms while a weaponsmith’s hammer rang against steel in counterpoint to the city’s heartbeat.

I couldn’t stop staring.

As we entered the noble district, the architecture grew more formal. Gardens and fountains offered cool respite from the mountain sun. Nobles emerged onto balconies to watch our progress, their reactions ranging from open curiosity to careful assessment.

Tharon’s presence beside me remained steady, protective. His beast’s warning growl vibrated through me whenever someone’s gaze lingered too long or too coldly.

The palace itself took my breath away. Crystal gardens caught and amplified the afternoon light, creating displays that put even my Temple-enhanced dreams to shame. Servants bowed as they led us to private chambers where I could refresh before formal presentation to the king.

“I need to meet with my father first. I’ll leave you with Lita,” Tharon murmured, pressing a kiss to my palm. “Take what time you need.”

As soon as he’d left the room, I sank onto a cushioned bench. “This is really happening?”

“It is.” Lita sat beside me, taking my hands in hers. “And you’re handling it beautifully.”

“Tell me everything.” I turned to face her properly. “How did you end up with Drax? What’s it like being married to a prince? How do you handle all of...this?” I gestured vaguely at our opulent surroundings.

She laughed. “One question at a time! But I have a much more pressing question - how did you tame Tharon? He’s not exactly known for his kindness.”

“He found me.” I smiled at the memory. “When I thought the guards would drag me back to the Temple, he was suddenly there. He protected me, helped me, showed me I could trust again.” My voice softened. “He makes me feel safe, cherished.”

“I understand completely.” Lita’s expression turned dreamy. “That’s how it was with Drax too. When you find your true mate, everything just...falls into place.”

A tap at the door interrupted us. A servant entered with refreshments - tiny cakes and fruit I’d never seen before, fragrant tea that smelled of mountain flowers.

“The king will see you in an hour,” she announced before withdrawing.

My stomach clenched. “Lita...”

“You’ll be fine.” She nodded decisively. “Sarl can be...imposing, but he’s fair. And he’ll see how happy you make his son.”

While we ate, she filled me in on palace life - which nobles could be trusted, which servants would help without question, which gardens offered the most privacy for moments alone. I tried to absorb it all, but my mind kept spinning back to the upcoming audience.

Eventually, Lita helped me make final adjustments to my appearance. The blue silk flowed like water, crystal beading catching the light with every movement. My short red hair had been arranged to emphasize its unusual color rather than hide it.

“Perfect,” Lita declared, stepping back. “Now go show them exactly who you are.”

I crossed to the chamber’s window, looking out over the city I would help rule. Smoke rose from craft quarter forges while children’s laughter drifted up from the gardens below. So different from Terr’s rigid control, its fear-wrapped traditions.

I belonged here, I realized. Despite my differences, despite my past - this was home now.

Tharon’s reflection appeared behind mine in the glass. “Ready?”

I spun to look at him, admiring how he carried the formal court dress - all sleek lines and barely contained power. “Ready.”

His Valti’s purr rumbled through me as he drew me close. “You’re going to be amazing.”

“We both are.” I stretched up to brush a kiss across his jaw.

A servant’s discrete cough drew our attention. “The king awaits.”