Sorein didn't know what to expect as he entered the Estate for the first time in two years.

Much of the designs were the same, from the beautiful glass murals in the windows and the more simple furnishings in every room. The entryway was always deceptively fancy considering the polished marble transitioned into glossy maple flooring in the general living spaces.

Unlike every other royal residence he'd ever been in, the most important rooms felt like a home. There was a fancy dining hall and the main floor had been converted into a event pavilion of sorts, but if explored any further, Sorein realized there was Nynoli technology.

Appliances and machines that used electricity as well as those powered by the crystals of Taeori Rainne.

He found himself wondering if there were Fae influences scattered throughout as well or if they'd all been removed since Iliya's father fled Chiori Faire.

Sorein often tried not to think of the defecting King, of the damage he'd done to his family. The Fae might not be well regarded on these shores, but their morals were always sound. They weren't overly loving or kind, they didn't socialize in the same manners with one foot always stretching out for the wild.

But they treasured their familial bonds, protecting their families.

He knew Destry and Seinen never completed the Mating Bond, as the King wasn't ever willing to Sire an heir with another race. It had been done before, rarely and in quiet, but never in royalty.

Soul ties were a tricky enough thing without the complexities of two separate ancestral trees, not to mention entirely separate Godly ties.

He shook the thought away, hoping the young Princess would find a reason to stay alive one day, no matter how long that took.

Jeremy and Noah followed behind him slowly, the latter enchanted by the decor. Noah continued to gasp over every small statue and reach out to touch things as if he were some naive child.

Sorein had never considered Noah might not have ever entered the Estate, not even entirely sure how old the immortal was.

Before meeting Sorein, Noah had only spent time in the eastern continent and the lands he called home.

They followed a Priestess through the halls, her lengthy white robes caressing the floor in a weightless breath, rippling like white wings. Her blonde hair was braided in two strands, wrapping her head like a crown with golden bands woven inside.

Knowing Destry's reputation, Sorein imagined there would be no servants in this home. Only the Queen's Ceire and Eite, their families, and a few scattered Priestesses whose family trees wove in and out of the court.

As if reading his mind, Jeremy spoke out loud. "I thought Destry didn't keep servants."

Sorein noted how their escorts' shoulders tightened, almost in frustration, before relaxing again.

"She doesn't," he answered. "The Priestesses serve the House of Aida, including their descendants."

"You're not saying the Dalaminai line is the last..."

"I am." Sorein nodded. "Aida's son created the Therians, granting them their affinities and divination. Mellinus was the first gifted child, his magic controlled the external, much like Fae magic is internal."

Jeremy's brows furrowed in confusion. "You're claiming the Therian species is older than the Fae."

"Indeed," he replied. He felt the threads of irritation beginning to coil in his chest again and attempted to dismiss them. "As pure as the Fae attempt to stay, there are few of us and we are a younger species."

"None of that explains why they're here," Noah said, gesturing to both the woman in front of them and a few in similar dress near the glorified throne room.

Comical really, considering it only housed a lengthy oak table with a few slightly larger chairs. As the generations progressed, each country had warped the ancient rule in their own ways.

"Then you're not listening," he grumbled. "They want to be here, Noah. They choose to help Destry around the Estate with what she will allow, but she wants her family to hold accountability."

"So they do chores?" Noah asked.

Sorein didn't know how to respond to the statement. The odd bewilderment behind it. Certainly Noah had been put in the position before, helping around the castle in Nynoli. The human sounded both fascinated and repulsed.

"Yes," Sorein said dully. "They do chores."

Jeremy coughed to fight a smug laugh, turning his head to one of the many interesting statues.

Noah's brows scrunched together so tightly they almost touched. "How could they possibly manage all that? There have to be at least twenty rooms in this place!"

"With magic," he answered bluntly.

Noah glanced between them, hurt flashing in his eyes temporarily.

Though he did find it amusing, Sorein had no intention of mocking him. Only answering his questions now so he might not offend anyone later.

They were led into a spacious game room, a large billiards table spanning the center. The legs were black oak, mauve velvet lining the top. Leather pockets wove deep pits for the balls to drop into.

Sorein remembered the way he admired that table as a boy, even before Iliya's birth. The guardsmen never wanted to play with him and his parents were always preoccupied.

His mother often reminded him it was beneficial to also learn to have fun, but his lifestyle seldom allowed room for it.

On the other side of the room, there was a couch lining the corner, the perfect shape to blend in against the wall. Other plush leather chairs surrounded a coffee table.

Towards the center were two large doors that led to the highest floor of the Library.

"Why escort us in here?" Jeremy asked, glancing toward the Priestess.

He must've gotten straight to work then...

Sorein opened his mouth to reply when the doors swung open and revealed the silhouette of a haughty blonde. Her hair was drawn up into a tight ponytail, appearing painful and slicked down. His eyes narrowed on the bronze skin and her uniform.

If not for the sleek black pants laying against her skin like she'd dipped her legs in tar with a floor sweeping overcoat to match, he'd know by the golden engraving on her arm.

The Royal International Messenger's Guild - mostly known as RIM - was an Elite privilege few could ever attain in their lives and even fewer were welcome in Chiori's Estate. The Symbol depicted crossed scythes, though the blades pointed in the same direction, forming a circle of runes that wrapped around the abbreviation.

Sorein's inner thoughts collided with the outer world when the woman's sights narrowed in on him.

"You," she said pointedly, crossing the distance between them in what felt like three long strides. He'd assumed she'd manipulated space to close the distance, the movement impossible otherwise.

"Excuse me?" Sorein found himself saying, brows furrowing.

The Guard was looking him up and down, gears grinding in her head. He hadn't felt so analyzed since the first time Iliya had dueled with him.

"You're the shadow-man?" she snapped, the question both an accusation and a statement.

Jeremy tipped his head to the side in confusion, though a softer smirk played on his lips. "It's always a pleasure, Siofra."

Sorein blinked. Siofra Graives was an excellent marksman and an even more wicked archer. She also happened to be Iliya's only friend.

Had he seen her before, he might've even offered a smile, but the look she gave him was anything but friendly.

Siofra shifted her gaze to Jeremy for a moment, noticing his presence, but ignoring it for Sorein's.

"I'm not sure what you're referring to," Sorein said, watching her carefully.

Siofra squinted at him, raising a finger to point. "I always wondered why she wouldn't tell me, I had no idea she was out screwing off with the Prince of Azuris."

He snorted, laughing. "Surely your opinion of her is higher than that," Sorein replied.

"It's not her I wish to offend," she said. The anger in her words didn't mask the amusement hiding in her eyes. Challenging him.

"Still upset about the festival, I assume?" Sorein mused, wagering his bet. "Where were you off to?"

He reflected on the panic in Iliya's gaze, the emotion churning with heartbreak and sadness. She had sprinted through the crowds to the Temple as if it were a sanctuary.

She'd seen something to upset her.

"Running errands," she muttered. "I don't suppose you went out of your way to see her, couldn't be bothered, could you?"

Sorein's grin dropped, the fun vanishing as if it'd been sucked from the air. "You're wrong."

"Oh?" She countered. "So you've been ignoring her for years on a whim?"

He sighed, controlling every last one of his nerves. "You're out of your depth," Sorein answered again. "Iliya ordered me to leave her alone, I suggest you ask her if you want more information."

He'd always believed in transparency, knowing how off guard it caught others. Siofra was no different.

She blinked, dropping her hand and taking a step back.

Sorein's Captain cleared his throat.

"Where's Rhydian?" Jeremy asked, trying to break the strange tension. He sounded oddly hopeful at the prospect of seeing Chiori's Captain.

Siofra exhaled sharply and let her head loll backward. "Asleep," she said, chuckling. "He had a rough night."

"Why is that?" Noah chimed in.

She grimaced. "Ezre gave him a very hard time for letting Iliya out of his sight... I didn't help..."

"You're upset she didn't tell you," Sorein offered, filling in the blank.

"She won't leave the estate," Siofra mumbled. "What makes you so special?"

"Nothing," he said simply. "I forced her to come."

Or tried to, but he didn't need to be specific.

She gave him a slow, deliberate once over before shaking her head. "You know as well as I do, no one forces her to do anything," Siofra relented.

He did know that.

In fact, the amount of times Sorein needed to remind himself of that very fact loomed over him.

Iliya had wanted to come with him last night and there was no denying that.

But just as he was going to agree with her, the energy in the room shifted.

The grandiose doors opened again, a small gust of trapped air fluttering a nearby open book. Out stepped a young Priestess, whose face looked rather pale and a man cloaked in black.

Between the black suit and collared shirt which were sure to be enough, the smooth black cloak covering his shoulders rimmed only with an antique brown painted the desired picture.

Though he had a young face, Andrin's age hid in the lines above his brow and the weary look in his eyes. Years of stress and grief swirled there, locked away to the outside world.

The King of Azuris stepped forward only to gesture for Sorein to follow him. His presence filled the room, but also seemed to swallow it. "Come," he said, his voice quiet but firm.

Sorein didn't consider it for a breath, walking forward and closing himself into the ancient library, alone with his father.