16. Chloe

SIXTEEN

"Turn left at Hydrox Junction, then take the second left onto I-15 N."

Chloe's head was still reeling from the revelation of Adrian's royalty, the GPS guiding her toward Adrian's castle. She had insisted on driving herself, just to make sure she had a way out.

She hoped Adrian wasn't offended by that.

As she turned on her blinker and started to speed up, veering onto the overcast, slick ramp, she took a moment to catch her breath.

"Okay," she told herself. "This is good. This is all fantastic."

But even though she knew it was a good thing, she felt like she was caught in a tornado. She still hadn't truly come to terms with the existence of shifters in general, having been thrust into a completely new world.

Yet she knew that this was what she was dreaming about … what everybody dreamed about.

It feels like one of my novels,she thought, now noticing that the fields had become much more green and much less occupied.

How long would she need to keep driving? She could see a faint hint of something massive in the far distance, but the area out here was largely uninhabited.

As her eyes whirled about the green fields, noticing pastures and different rows of crops, she tried not to think about the violent depictions of war she had read about. She tried not to think about all the beasts and beings she had read about and grown attached to, only to discover their violent ends at the hands of fate and misfortune.

But that's not going to be you, though, she reminded herself. These are different times.

It's true that much of the bloodshed she had read about predated even human civilizations and kingdoms.

In the last hundred years, the conflict in Adrian's family had definitely quieted, and she might have concluded these were more peaceful times.

Adrian only gained access to the throne after a natural transition when Adrian's mother, Magda, had fallen ill, and his father, Lawrence, had died of heartache. His grandparents had become king and queen after a bloody battle, but that was long ago. There was nothing to indicate that Adrian was wrong when he said things were different nowadays.

"Take a left at Drake Way," the GPS announced.

These were rocky backroads. She had no idea where they might lead.

She felt like a historian who had been given access to the most precious and secretive documents. One who might be able to fill in the annals of human prehistory, discovering wonders beyond comprehension.

She felt privileged to have access to Callum's library despite realizing how much of the knowledge would still need to be kept secret and out of human hands.

"Holy shit."

Her mind had wandered so much that she hadn't noticed the massive incline nor the distant towers that peered at her from over the horizon. A man leaned out of a gatehouse, flagging her down as she approached. She pulled her car to a stop.

"Can I help you, ma'am?"

He appeared nondescript, similar to a guard you might see securing a factory, with a ballcap and a blue uniform. Over his shoulder, Chloe could see an old television playing eighties sitcoms.

She tried not to panic.

"Okay," she said. "Umm. Adrian …"

The guard nodded.

"Chloe, right? He said you'd be coming."

And without another word, the gate lifted, and she drove through.

It was well-camouflaged in spite of the tall towers lingering over the horizon, but as she pressed the pedal harder, climbing the mountain, she began to see pedestrians walking toward the cottages and huts that lined the road. She assumed they must be shifters Adrian knew.

But the more she climbed, the more impressive the vista became. Cottages became grand architectural feats, belonging to one sprawling village that lingered under the tall towers. It looked like something pulled out of history from centuries ago.

"How wasn't I aware of this?" she asked herself.

So many mansions and castles lurked just off the side of human knowledge, somehow evading detection. She could now see the silhouettes of dragons flying above, one breathing a torrent of fire as it breached the clouds.

Just how much of this world had been kept hidden from her notice?

And then it came into full view before her eyes. A magnificent castle taller than some skyscrapers, whose towers blended into the overcast sky. Were it not for the gray storm clouds overhead, which had now started to drizzle down, this castle would have been visible to her from a few miles away.

"I guess he really is royalty," she admitted, trying to recall his instructions on where to park.

Driving through the streets of the medieval-looking city, she could see that it had all the modern amenities despite being ripped from a storybook. She could see children on mobile phones making their way past bustling shops, business signs that displayed the current time and temperature, and phone lines that cut discreetly into the fabric of the city.

And in the distance, even among these humble, restrained buildings, was a series of more modern, tall towers that rivaled the castles in height.

"' Bout time you got here," Adrian said as she stepped out of her car, trying to avoid a puddle. She craned her neck to try to see the top of the towers.

She had no words as she regarded Adrian's chiseled face and then turned to the overwhelming anomaly of a village behind her.

"You look a bit lost," Adrian said. "Would you like me to show you around?"

She nodded dumbly.

Adrian smiled, offering her his hand, which she took.

They crossed the large drawbridge, entering the castle that cut into the cliffs.

Violet carpets ran the length of the hallways, with old portraits and vases lining the walls.

"Stick with me," Adrian said, gripping her hands tighter. Her face heated. "It's easy to get lost around here."

They made their way past the banquet hall and up a large flight of stone stairs. As they entered the towers, Chloe could hear the sounds of rain pouring from overhead.

Finally, they reached a door near the top of the tower, which Adrian opened, revealing a series of living quarters.

"You'll love Tillie and Zakary," Adrian said. "They"re technically my housekeepers, I guess you could say. But they"re also trusted friends."

Rapping on the door, Adrian waited.

While he wasn't looking, Chloe ran her finger along one of the pedestals, pleased to discover not a single speck of dust.

"You son of a bitch."

Startled, Chloe looked up, noticing a very well-dressed man shorter in stature and more rugged than Adrian.

He threw his arms around Adrian, embracing him tightly.

"Is this why you disappeared on us?" the man asked.

Adrian nodded.

"This is Zakary, and behind him is his wife, Tillie."

Adrian gestured toward a porcelain-skinned woman who appeared to be a portrait of elegance. There wasn't a single blemish anywhere on her face, and she had garbed herself in a flowing green dress.

"She's lovely," Tillie said, looking at Chloe. "You've done very well, I say."

Chloe blushed, trying to hide her face under her hood.

"Don't listen to him, by the way," Tillie added. "He might call us employees, but we're the closest friends he's got."

"Anyway, moving on," Adrian said, walking her back toward the tower.

"We'll talk to you more later," Tillie called out after her, waving.

He opened the wooden door for her, leading her back down the way they came. Chloe could hear thunder and what she thought might be hail.

"That was an awfully far trip out of the way to meet two of your work friends," Chloe observed.

Adrian simply chuckled as they opened the tower door to the sprawling tables that decorated the banquet hall. There at one of the tables was a rather muscular-looking man whose long hair and beard had gone gray.

"Ah, Irons," Adrian said, gesturing. "You're right on time."

Irons nodded, pushing himself to his feet. As he did, the large keyring conspicuously hanging from his belt jangled.

"We doing this or what, sir?" Irons asked.

Adrian scoffed, then began walking speedily across the banquet hall toward a small door on the opposite side of the large room. Not missing a beat, Chloe did her best to keep up, following just behind Irons.

"It's her right to know what's hers, you know," Adrian reminded Irons.

He opened the door to a dark passageway leading them down some stairs. Torches lit their path through a series of winding halls decorated rather inefficiently with historical relics.

The three of them came to an ornate bronze door, and Adrian and Irons both stopped.

Retrieving a large brass key from within his suit pocket, Adrian positioned himself in front of one of the two locks, Irons accompanying him on the other side.

"You don't mind standing watch, do you?" Adrian asked as he began turning the key. The door made a satisfying click as both Irons and Adrian unlocked it simultaneously.

"Not at all, sir," Irons said before walking off to the side, standing like a king's guard in London.

Adrian pushed the door open. Immediately, a pile of treasure overwhelmed Chloe's senses.

On a pedestal in the center of the secure hall was a large crown adorned with rubies and diamonds. Everywhere Chloe looked, she saw another object worth more than she'd make in a lifetime, usually displayed proudly in another case.

"You wanted proof that I'm a king," he asked, strolling casually toward the centerpiece of the room.

The crown grew larger in Chloe's vision. With every step, she was able to make out another facet in its silver face, noticing sapphires and emeralds.

"I didn't ask you for proof," Chloe replied. "I believed you."

"I know you did. But I figured you deserved to see your inheritance."

Chloe cocked an eyebrow, looking up at him suspiciously. Adrian strolled away, walking toward a large display case filled with necklaces and tiaras.

"My inheritance?"

Adrian nodded. "As my mate, you're entitled to just about everything in this room and more."

Chloe shook her head, still unable to process the revelation. She crossed the threshold, standing beside him in front of the jewelry case. She was almost more fascinated by the strange relics that lined the hall.

He leaned in closer to her, brushing aside a strand of her hair and whispering in her ear. "Moon's still technically full, by the way. And it's getting dark."

He nibbled at her neck. His body radiated heat.