Chapter 18
The throngs marched forward as one, drawn by the music and the scent, through the palace gate. And then, passing through the archway, Lina saw it—the Great Tree. She had seen it before, at exactly this same event, but it never failed to amaze her with its sheer size. Arabel was similarly enchanted, standing with her mouth agape as the crowd flowed forward, carrying them with it.
Lina looked up. Perched in the highest boughs were the queen and her closest court, outfitted in glittering robes of silk, interwoven with designs in gold and silver thread. None of the designs matched what Lina and Arabel wore painted on their skin. They seemed harder, more angular, not the flowing work of organic curves that Arabel had laid out. Lina hoped it would not make them conspicuous. She glanced at Arabel, but her mask covered all expression except for the most obvious gaped-mouth wonder.