As the carriage rumbles through the towering gates of the palace, Xandria takes in the breathtaking sight before her. The palace rises like a momentum of power and grandeur, it's towering spire, also known as The king's ascend- a symbol of the royal authority being present in the kingdom, pierced the sky with it's glided tip, the walls, built of ancient stone, bear intricate carvings of kings and past warriors. Their solemn faces forever etched in history.
Massive banners, embroided with the kingdom's sigil, swayed in the breeze, their deep crimson hues a stark contrast against the pristine white marble of the palace. Statues of mystical beings- the guardians of the royal bloodline, lined the grand staircase leading to the entrance, their stone eyes seemed watchful, as if assessing all who enter.
Beyond the main hall, sprawling courtyard stretched in every direction, adorned with fountains that spill crystal clear water into pools lined with enchanted lilies that glowed in the dusk. The scent of jasmine and burning incense drifts through the air, mingling with the distant hums of palace life, guards exchanging orders, courtiers whispering secrets and the faint melodies of the bard flute.
As the carriage moves deeper into the palace grounds, the weight of history and power presses down upon her, a silent reminder of this place, with all its beauty and splendor, is also a gilded cage.
The carriage came to a stop in front of the entrance. Xandria did not wait for Maltherion to get down first before she got down from the carriage, ignoring the stares and the whispers from around. She straightened her dress with her hands in an attempt to hide her nervousness. She climbed onto the grand stairs that led to the entrance of the palace. As her feet touched the first stairs, the head of the first statue that was on her left turned towards her and the rest joined. With a frightened shriek, she jumped backwards. Before she was able to steady herself, she found herself falling, she braced herself for the fall, but it never came. She felt the strong arms of Maltherion wrap around her waist and steadied her from falling.
Xandria quickly raised herself up and adjusted her dress.
She turned around when she heard the controlled laughter of Reagan that was behind Maltherion.
She glared at him in anger and embarrassment written all over her face.
"How did that happen?" She asked no one in particular.
"It's ancient magic. They recognized a stranger entering into the palace." Reagan explained.
"Ohh" Xandria murmured.
Reagan was about to laugh again as Xandria stepped on the stairs again and the statues turned towards her once more, making her shriek quietly, but he immediately held himself the moment Maltherion glared at him with cold eyes.
Xandria climbed the staircase while keeping a far distance from the statues that were on both sides.
When she reached the top of her stairs, the guard opened the door, leading to the inside of the palace.
As she moved deeper into the palace, the overwhelming magnificence of the royal residence became even more apparent. The corridors stretched endlessly, their walls adorned with murals that told the kingdom's history. The tales of conquest, betrayal and destiny. Gilded sconces lined the hallways, casting a warm golden glow that flickered against the smooth marble surfaces, giving the palace an almost ethereal feeling.
Massive windows framed with silk-draped curtains let in beams of sunlight, illuminating the polished floors, reflecting the grandeur above like a mirror. The scent of incense and rare perfumes lingered in the air. Xandria could also smell the scent of ancient powers. The scent had been in the air right from the festival. She could sense the power lingering above. But she could not detect where exactly it was coming from.
The door to the throne room was opened, an architectural marvel itself which stood in the heart of the palace. It's domed ceiling was painted with celestial patterns, glimmering as if the stars itself were captured within it.
A vast crimson carpet spread from the entrance to the raised dias, where the throne of the king loomed, a masterpiece of gold and obsidian, it's design both elegant and imposing.
When Xandria turned around, she realized that she was the only one left in the Thorne room. She had thought Maltherion and Reagan were behind her all this while.
Beyond the formal halls of the throne room, the private chambers of the palace whispered a different kind of opulence.
She walked through the dark hallways, heading towards the west wing of the palace where the king's chambers were.
She tried finding her way through the dark hallways as all the curtains were closed and no candles were lit up.
As she was walking through the hallways, she bumped into a strong figure that was standing before her. The moment her hands lifted up to rub her aching forehead, all the candles in the hallway lit up, starting from the end and travelling across the hallways like a wind of fire.
She gasped as she saw all the candles that were dead, light up without anyone touching them.
"Magic" she whispered as she looked up at the person who she had bumped into.
"I'm guessing you know a lot more than it seems." Maltherion smirked.
" You are a sorcerer." Xandria accused. Stepping farther away from him.
" A sorcerer is not the word I'll be going for." Maltherion chuckled, as he took little steps towards her.
" Then explain the fire. I can smell the magic on you." Xandria instantly regretted saying that out loud. No one could know she could sense magic. They will tag her as a sorcerer, or even worse, a witch.
"So I'm not the only one with magic." Maltherion teased.
"I don't have magic. I'm a human. And you are not."
" We will see about that Alexandria." He turned around and continued walking inside the hallway towards the end of the hallway where his chambers were.
Xandria stood rooted to the ground, trying to realize what exactly had just happened.
And what did he mean by 'we will see about that'
She knew she was human. She felt it. Her parents are humans and so is her sister. Apart from her dreams, she had not seen any abnormal thing about her.
" Come with me." Maltherion said from down the hallway, staring at her.
She felt the strange pull once again. The one that compelled her into obeying him. But this time it felt more controlling.The feeling was so unfathomable.
She walked towards him with her steps calculating, trying to mark out the areas which she was walking on.
" You can't escape even if you try." Maltherion uttered as she stepped closer to him.
Xandria stared at him with surprise written all over face. It almost felt like he had looked into her mind and he knew what she was thinking. But that was impossible.
"How is that possible." Xandria asked
"How is what possible?"
" How could you read my mind?"
" So you were thinking of escaping?" Maltherion teased.
" Maybe I am." Xandria retorted.
" I advise you to stop." Maltherion sounded serious
" Why?"
" Because you can't resist the grand gias." He stated, leading her towards her new room that was beside his own.
That was the confirmation she needed. The grand gias was real and that was what she felt when she was in her father's house. And Maltherion had felt it too.
That terrified her even more...