I slowed down when I neared the palace gates, catching my breath as well as gathering my nerves as I calmly approached the palace guards. "State your business or leave!" one said, both of their wings on their swords at their hips. "I-I'm here on a request from the king" I said as I held out the scroll for him to read. A minute passed before the guard turned friendly, opening up the gates for me. "I can't wait to try your dish!" was what the guard said; I nodded to him, but did not make a sound as I walked through the gates.

The pathway up to the palace was polished moonstone, my talons producing light taps as I walked. On either side of the path wee trees, their limbs forming an arch as they cast shadows on the ground. The palace itself looked like it was made of solid gold, so reflective were the metals along the walls.

I ascended the marble stairs, the rock worn down over decades of talons moving up and down. I saw a servant waiting by the doors, a serious look on his face. "Welcome Jason; his majesty wishes to speak with you about your time with him in the palace. Follow me" the bird said, opening the door and lead me through it, my breath catching in my throat at the sight of the interior. The floor alone was adorned with semi precious gems, one on each intersection of the tiles. I looked around to see elaborate sculptures of various artworks, ranging from a statue of a knight in armor to a full mural of the royal family, each one looking down at me with kind expressions.

"This way young Jason" the servant said, calling me back down to earth; I hastily caught up to him, looking around at my new surroundings with great interest. Lush carpets lined the hall way as we walked down to the throne room, the occasional pot of flowers adding a bit of color to the clean white walls. "His majesty is in this room" the bird said, leading me into a room that did indeed contain his majesty, his highness sitting on top of his throne, his crown gleaming in the sun light that filtered through the windows.

"Ah, this must be Jason! Don't be shy young one; come here" the king said, calling me to his side. I nervously made my way up to him, looking just above him, not daring meet his eye as I stopped in front of him. "You are a little young: you are, what, ten, eleven? How did you get into Elizabeth's school for the arts young one?" the king asked me, his tone genuinely surprised. "No sir: I am fifteen. I showed up one day when a cook was leaving, having quit. I went to the kitchens by chance and saw a pot of stew burning on the fire. I just walked in and removed the pot quickly and just started to work. The owner of the school found me and nearly tossed me out, at least till she tasted the soup: that made me stay on the grounds that I would cook for the teachers and staff in payment for my studies" I explained, surprising myself when I spoke in a calm, even voice.

The king looked at me in surprise before telling me that he would like for me to make him the soup that I made for the school on that day. "Also whatever my children want. Nightfly, Andrea! Come out!" the king called, surprising me when his two children walked out from behind his throne. Andrea looked like a fair girl, her feathers groomed with the outmost care, her sapphire eyes looking at me in curiosity, giving me a curtsy as she greeted me. I bowed to her in turn, introducing myself to her before I turned to Nightfly: my world stopped moving the second my eyes landed on his face.

Nightfly was, well, handsome. He looked like the splitting edge of his father, his eyes a little lighter green, his dark blue feathers making his eyes even lighter, so bright that they seemed to contain their own light as he looked at me, his eyes seeming to look deep into my being. His feathers were kept in check, a light green pendent around his neck, the royal crest of a phoenix carved into the gem as he bowed to me. "Hello Jason: I have heard much about you from the other children in the village and Mrs. Keel. I can't wait to get to know you better, but for now, I would like some of the stew my father mentioned, my sister Andrea wants the same thing; we heard it is divine from others" Nightfly said, his tone gentle and kind. "I will prepare the dish as best as I can" I promised, my eyes locked on Nightfly's as I spoke; in the back of my mind, I knew I had to find out what kinds of food he and his family likes, but more so him. "Great! For now, Zori will show you to your room for the time being till dinner" the king said, gesturing to his servant, the same one that led me in the room.

Little did Jason know that as he was walking out of the throne room, he and Nightfly had the exact same thought, a dreamy look on their faces respectively. 'I think I am in love'

I wonder what is in store for Nightfly and Jason? What will happen next? Will Jason be hired? Stay tuned for the answer! R&R!