Calix, Elvessa's elder brother, had arrived at Dusthaven's palace earlier that morning, summoned by his mother's command. He was not happy that his leisure day had been disturbed by his mother but he had no choice but to comply.
Calix was two years younger than Auren, and sandgrouse by avian nature. With his head full of unruly red hair, and brown eyes, made him stand out amidst the usual nobility, earning him a steady following among the kingdom's young women, a fact he shamelessly enjoyed to its fullest advantage.
As he followed the guard with a lazy stride, his eyes suddenly caught sight of Mirabella.
His heart skipped a beat.
Her sunset-hued hair flowed like silk in the dry breeze of Dusthaven, and her fair skin glowed like porcelain against the earthy tones of the palace walls. She walked with hurried steps, unaware of the attention she'd drawn.
