The Court of Shadows (1)

By the time Iris woke up, she was inside of a carriage with Amelia, Chrysanthe and Ricci. The sun was already high up the sky and she wasn't sure how long she had been asleep this time.

Her throat felt dry while her whole body was aching as if she was hit by something. How long did she remain unconscious this time?

"Be careful, Iris. Don't force yourself up if you aren't feeling well." Chrysanthe said. Worry obviously lacing her voice.

Iris grunted and held the side of her aching head. It was only then did she notice that she was wearing a silver bangle on her left wrist, wondering where she got it. As if reading her thoughts, Ricci gave her a satisfying answer.

"Lord Kieran decided to bestow you with the magical bow as a reward for helping them deal with the Night Critters."

Iris was about to say that she didn't need it, but something from the outside caught her attention. Their carriage had entered a line of trees. She then turned her head to take a look at where they were going and saw a humongous wall through the thin fog that was ahead of them.

"We are about to enter Asnar, Lady Iris. You've been asleep since midnight." Ricci explained.

Iris's blood chilled as they drew closer to the high walls. There were accounts that those who were sent as a tribute by Dravial never came back and the thought was enough to distraught her. They didn't even know what awaited them beyond these walls.

As far as they knew, the thirteen demon lords governed the majority of Asnar, which consisted of kingdoms, woodlands, drylands and hot deserts, all the way to the great ocean that neither Iris nor her friends had seen before.

It was said that while the thirteen demon lords kept the peace in Asnar, the land was also overseen by several High King and Queens and powerful lords like Lord Kieran, who was born into nobility.

Ahead of them, she saw Lord Kieran riding his black steed again. His black cloak floating around him as if it danced midair. His posture was stiff and even when he inclined to his right to talk to Callum, Iris knew that the demon lord was still on high alert.

The legion of Frost Guards followed them deep into the woods, gathering close to make sure that none of the maidens would dare to leave their carriages. As they drew closer, Iris sensed several magical presences at once.

The gates of the high wall were opened by the sentries, who gave Lord Kieran and his troop a polite greeting as they passed. They had long ivory bows in hand, arrows waiting to be released in case an enemy dared to enter their lands.

Iris's heart raced once again, knowing that as soon as they passed the gates, it would be almost impossible to return to Calaren Town.

Soon, the path changed from uneven grounds to cobblestones, making their ride smoother than before. They were on a small winding path now. The trees were still surrounding their path and Iris watched as squirrels chittered, jumping from one branch to another as they tried to follow their carriages. She had no doubt that the other maidens were as curious as her by now.

"So where are we going now? Does Lord Kieran plan to take us to his lands?" Amelia asked curiously.

"Oh, no." Ricci replied. "We are on our way to Silver City where the Court of Shadows is supposed to meet."

Chrysanthe gasped and clenched her fists on her lap.

"Does this mean we are to be presented to the rest of the demon lords?" She asked the High Fae in front of them.

"I'm afraid that's right, Miss Chrysanthe. It's customary to present the maidens to test them for magic and illness."

"And then are we to be married off to the darklings?" Amelia asked with unconcealed disgust in her tone.

Ricci blinked twice and looked at their faces, seeing the same expression to them.

"Oh my. Is that what the people of Dravial think when we take their maidens?" She gasped, but then laughed behind her hand. "Sorry. I just didn't think humans would be so ridiculous. I hope you don't think that we also eat virgin maidens."

As Chrysanthe's face blanched, Ricci knew that she was right and burst into a round of laughter.

"So you wouldn't marry us off to other darklings?" Amelia arched a slender brow at Ricci. She will fight tooth and nail and would rather die than to marry a darkling.

"Why would we do that? Although it's true that some of the demon lords had taken human brides among the tributes Dravial sent to us, it's not always the case. Once tested, you will be sent to the Shayla Kingdom, where you will be educated of our history and taught how to live in Asnar. You will then be allowed to leave Shayla Kingdom to fend for yourself."

Iris noticed that Ricci grimaced as she mentioned Shayla Kingdom. What could possibly cause this High Fae to make such a face?

"But we aren't allowed to return to Dravial?" Iris asked. It was the one thing she wanted the most. She needed to fulfill her promise to find a way to return home.

"It's not something we Asnarians could impose on you. It's more like Dravial wouldn't accept anyone back in fear that we are sending spies back into their human kingdom. I suppose I don't need to explain how humans like you perceive darklings and fellow humans with magic."

Iris had no words to refute that. What Ricci said was right. Chosen maidens weren't allowed to step back into their hometown, let alone Dravial. Even a magus like her had no chance because her kind was being hunted.