“You don’t think it’s just for the sand and sunshine?”

The two shared a droll look at the thought of the King of Blood caring about anything so mundane. But it did trouble Felix that he had no clear idea as to why the king wished to set foot in the capital of an empire that had crushed more than a third of the known kingdoms in the world.

Finally, the ship came into port and docked. Felix followed the king closely as they proceeded down the gangplank, trying not to give into the compulsion to throw himself down on the wooden dock and kiss it.

Here it was, the Kraeshian Empire. Or, more precisely, the capital of Kraeshia, known as the Jewel of the Empire, a city carved out of the natural, exotic wonders that made up this large island that was roughly the size of Auranos. Felix had heard tales of Kraeshia’s beauty, but after a life spent mostly in cold, stark Limeros, no mere description could have prepared him for experiencing it in person.

The tall trees were rich with thousands of shiny thick green leaves, each the size of a man, and the sand sparkled like jewels along the shore. In the far distance, along the beach, he was certain he saw a cluster of women basking under the sun, as naked as ice-lizards.

The king had decided that, for the duration of the trip, Milo and Felix would not wear official Limerian guard’s uniforms, which would have made them stand out like two red weeds in a garden of fine flowers. Instead, they wore tailored finery fit for a lord—leather trousers, bleached linen tunics, and the finest cloaks Felix had ever laid his eyes on, made of woven lamb’s wool—and seemingly as light as air.

Now that he stood on solid land, Felix found that he felt more like a Cobra than ever, ready and eager to protect the king in this unfamiliar territory.

The King of Blood. One who harms the innocent, who enslaves the poor, who tortures the weak.

His cheek twitched.

Get out of my head, Jonas, Felix thought.

He saw a figure waiting for them at the end of the docks, and suddenly his steps faltered. He straightened his shoulders and held his head high as they approached a dark-haired beauty.

Felix didn’t believe in love at first sight—but lust at first sight? That was an incredibly real concept, and one newly proven by this gorgeous creature standing before him.

“Well, do I dare believe my eyes?” King Gaius said, stopping before the beautiful girl. “Princess Amara Cortas, come to officially greet me? I admit I’m surprised to see you.”

Princess Amara.

Felix had heard that Emperor Cortas’s daughter and son had recently been in Auranos, as guests of the king, but he hadn’t before seen this princess in person. She was as exotically beautiful as her homeland, with long jet-black hair hanging in loose waves down her back. Her lips were as red as rubies, her eyes the color of silver touched by a whisper of blue. Her flawless skin was a dark tan shade. She wore a teal-colored gown, sleeveless to show her lovely bare arms and cut with a long slit that stopped at mid-thigh. Her firm, trim belly was shielded only by a layer of diaphanous material that moved gently in the warm breeze.

She smelled of jasmine, just a hint, but combined with the sweet aroma of this lusty tropical weather, Felix found it as intoxicating as a swig of Paelsian wine.

“King Gaius, what a pleasure to see you here.” She ignored his sarcastic display of surprise as she gave him a small nod and held out her hand. “Welcome to Kraeshia.”

“You’re even more beautiful than the last time we met.” He took her hand and brushed his lips over it. “How is that possible? It’s only been a matter of weeks.”

Her smile tightened. “You honor me with your kind words.”

“And is the emperor here as well?”

“No. He’s at the palace. My eldest brother, Prince Dastan, returned only this morning from the kingdom of Castoria, our newest acquisition.”

“What a great victory for him.” The king furrowed his brow. “I do hope he can spare some time to meet with me today. We’ve traveled quite a long way.”

Princess Amara nodded. “Of course, I’m sure he is eager to see you. My father is honored by your visit, and I am likewise honored to accompany you to the royal residence. Once at the Emerald Spear, you can eat, rest, and recover from your journey. Is that acceptable to you?”

The king smiled thinly. “Of course. Much gratitude, princess.”

She smiled and looked to Felix and Milo. Felix fixed a lopsided smile on his face, hoping it was as charming as the girls in Mytica usually found it.

Yes, princess, he thought. You could make me forget all about Lysandra.

“Princess,” the king said. “Allow me to introduce you to two of my most trusted advisors, Milo Iagaris and Felix Graebas.”

Felix and Milo bowed before her.

“A pleasure,” she said, giving a slight curtsey in return. “Given the looks of them, your grace, I will assume that in Mytica ‘advisor’ is synonymous with ‘bodyguard’?”

The king laughed. “You’re very perceptive. How could I have forgotten that about you, princess?”

“I haven’t forgotten anything at all about you.” Amara’s smile remained fixed on her lovely face. “Shall we be on our way?”

In Mytica, the carriages were enclosed, with small windows, sturdy doors, and large wooden wheels designed for long journeys over icy, rocky roads. In Kraeshia, the carriages had more of a canopy design, shaded yet open to the sun. The wheels were impossibly delicate and slender, and the body was carved from pale white wood trimmed in precious metals.

Felix leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes, relishing in the warm rays on his face. Several horses with pure-white coats and fragrant flowers braided into their manes and tails pulled the carriage away from the docks, and the driver began to navigate the smooth, winding roads of the Jewel. Kraeshia was so colorful, its buildings and shops and taverns so different from what Felix was used to.

Soon Felix realized that the Jewel boasted so much more than riches. It was perfection itself. Every detail, every nook, every thoughtful inch of the city was flawless, like a pained-over detail in a painting or a sculpture. The windows sparkled. The streets shone. The sky held not a single cloud.

“Beautiful,” Felix murmured.

“Yes, it is, isn’t it?” responded Amara, and Felix was surprised he’d accidentally caught her attention. “My father has made physical beauty a priority in Kraeshia—especially here in the Jewel itself. He believes that beauty is power.”

“What happens when something ugly pops up?” Felix asked.

Her expression grew thoughtful. “I can’t think of anything here that could be described that way.”

“Well, now that Milo’s here, I suppose your streak is ruined.”

Felix had successfully managed to summon the edge of a true smile from the princess, but with the king and Milo so close to overhearing, he knew when it was time to shut up.

The carriage passed its reflection in a gigantic, domed silver building, which Amara described as the Jewel’s main temple. Felix didn’t know much about Kraeshian religion, but he was certain they didn’t pray to either Valoria or Cleiona.

Silence fell in the carriage for several long moments, until Amara finally spoke.

“Forgive me, King Gaius, but I must ask, as I’ve been so deeply curious ever since I learned of your visit. What is it that you wish to speak to my father about? What urgent matter has brought you all this way?”