Fates Chosen by L.M. Rhys

Author:L.M. Rhys [Rhys, L.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-08-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter

Twenty-Two

The moment the castle was within view, Evie was speechless. Everything she’d seen here in this new world had been more bewildering than the next. But this, here in Elaincia, she had never in her life seen anything more breathtaking than the Garden Castle.

As she passed through the ironclad gates and onto the grounds, an overwhelming sensation washed over her. Evie felt like she had truly come home. With each step, the air was stolen from her lungs as she was met with the most magnificent gardens. Straight ahead was a road that led to the castle, but on either side were fields and mazes of all different types of flowers and greenery.

It was like a painting, the colors that danced before her—some of which, if it were possible, were colors she had never even seen before. There were roses, daisies and lilies, gardenia and peonies. There were rainbow fields of tulips that stretched for miles.

It was remarkable. It didn’t matter whether or not the blooms were in season. They still grew. The small garden that she had tended with Grams in Little Haven was nothing in comparison. The grounds seemed to go on and on. It was easy to forget that this castle was surrounded by a city.

Evie didn’t think she had any more breath to be stolen, but as they drew nearer to the castle itself, she was proved wrong. It was built of stone, but it was covered almost top to bottom in moss, vines, and tiny climbing flowers. At a quick glance, it looked like it was made of those things alone. She could see why they called it the Garden Castle.

As they approached the entrance, a group was gathered to greet them. Guards lined both sides of the grand entryway. Their uniforms shone bright with the royal colors—a deep blue and gold. In front of them stood maids and footmen, all employees of the throne. At the front of the line was a short, plump, woman with rosy cheeks and pointed ears. She was clothed in a navy-colored dress with a white apron tied around her waist. The rest of the maids were dressed similarly, though their dresses were a light grey.

When Baz approached, the woman’s eyes gleamed, and she wrapped her arms around his neck and cried out, “Oh, my dear boy!”

“Paloma, you worry too much.” He squeezed the woman back affectionately.

“I always worry when you visit the guard. That forest is despicable.” She held him out at arm’s length. “You look skinny.”

Baz’s face reddened, the color a deep crimson that almost matched his hair. If she were to describe Baz’s physique as anything, skinny would not be the word she used. Evie tried to hide her smile as she watched the woman fussing. He scratched at the back of his head with embarrassment as he looked towards the rest of their group.

“Paloma, we have guests.”

The woman turned to look at them now and gasped as her eyes instantly met Evie’s. She hated to admit it, but she was used to this reaction by now.

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