"Command someone to make sure Rowan's room is prepared. If it is not, make sure they do so."

"Inform King Sandalius of our arrival. However, make sure he isn't busy."

Even here, where there were much more people scurrying around, it was clear Sage was still in charge. It was him who directed everyone around, telling the servants to put the horses back in the stable, to take my things to my room.

"That won't be necessary," he said quickly when someone reached for the reins of his horse. "I'll take Sequeria myself."

"Such a beautiful name," I murmured, catching his attention. He grabbed her reins, talking to her softly before he began pulling her in my direction. She obeyed him, nickering quietly.

"You will go with me. We will see the King together, as he instructed that I be with you every time the two of you meet," Sage explained, leading Sequeria to the stables. I followed, deciding it was better than waiting here until he returned.

We walked around the castle, towards the edge of the forest to the gray stable. It was beautiful, not as faded or weathered down as I imagined it would be. It was also large, housing more horses than I could count.

We walked into the dimly lit stable, and the smell of fresh hay and horse manure surrounded us. The horses were silent: their heavy breathing was all I could hear, along with the occasional hoof-stomp.

Sage found his way to the end where the very last stall was tucked into the far corner of the stable. He opened it and gently took everything off Sequeria, talking to her as he did so. I found myself unable to resist a smile at the sight.

"I need to brush her down, and then we can leave," Sage said, and I took the time to take Todd out of my bag, placing him on the stable's floor. The moment his paws touched the ground, he darted away, out of the stable and my sight.

"You have a gentle way with her that most don't use with animals," I murmured when he was finally finished and began locking her stall.

"She and I have a bond that most don't create with them," he replied, stroking her one last time when she nudged him with her head.

Someone entered the stables and I turned, seeing an umber-skinned girl making her way towards us. When Sage finally turned, she grabbed her skirt and curtsied, bowing her head at the same time.

"Sir Coventry, King Sandalius awaits you and the guest," she said, her eyes never quite meeting his. Even that was a product of an animalistic hierarchy, and they didn't even seem to realize it.

"Yes, thank you, Shaterria. You're free to leave," he replied, and I could see her face darken at his words before she bowed once again and was off.

"First name basis with a peasant girl?" I asked, studying him. He didn't turn or even acknowledge my words. I thought perhaps he would ignore me.

"She is much more than a peasant among these lands. While I am the most trusted guard of King Sandalius, she is the most trusted worker. It is why she is sent to deliver his messages. She and I are the only ones allowed near him." His eyes flickered towards me as he added, "I suppose you are also an exception now."

"Is there anything I should know when approaching him?" I asked. I wanted to be as prepared as I could and avoid scheduling an early meeting with Death.

"Do not mention his past. It is a dark subject for him, one that is quick to set him off. He's been through more than he should have, and it's best not to bring any of it up. He does not need to relive it because of someone's mere curiosity," he said simply, making me wonder how often people were curious enough to ask about it.

"Do not challenge him in any way," he also added, shooting me a look that caused me to frown and cross my arms.

"What makes you think I would be stupid enough to challenge him?" I snapped back, watching as he shook his head.

"Crossed arms are a sign of defiance, as are meeting someone's gaze head-on. You won't even last a day if you continue as you have been. Talking back is also a sign of someone attempting to assert their dominance," he explained before looking over at me and waiting.

I almost did nothing, but with much reluctance and the sound of my teeth grinding against one another, I uncrossed my arms and let them fall to my side. He gave me another pointed look and I shot him a piercing one back before letting my gaze fall away from him.

He laughed softly, finding this amusing. When he noticed I hadn't joined in, he sighed and said, "Rowan, he has the same tendencies as the animals you lived with in your forest. Do you not have to submit to them in order to gain their trust?"

"The opposite actually," I replied quickly, jumping at the chance to prove him wrong. "You have to be firm with them. You have to be the Alpha among them, or they will take the chance to attack when they can.

If you submit to a dominant wolf, how far do you think you will get before they realize you are not of use to them? Every pack, skulk, and herd has some sort of system within its group. If you are not useful within the group, you are banished or killed."

He frowned at me, clearly not pleased with the direction this conversation had taken. "Please promise me you will not do the same with King Sandalius. If you attempt to challenge him, it will not end well. Do you understand? You are our last chance."

I didn't respond with the witty remark I had conjured up. Instead, I found myself noticing the desperation within his voice, the hope that was stitched onto its frayed edges. If I did not help, the kingdom would likely collapse as a result, putting a complete end to its journey. He could potentially lose everything.

"I promise," I said softly, watching his shoulders drop just the slightest at my words.

"Thank you," he said before he began walking out of the stable. I hesitated before following behind, wishing that perhaps someone would change their mind and I would no longer be needed here.

Sage opened his mouth to say something, but he turned slightly at the same time and the words were lost. I watched as his gaze traveled down me, causing me to stiffen, my arms crossing themselves again automatically.

"I cannot present you to the King," he muttered before catching the attention of another guard, who ran to where we were.

"Inform King Sandalius that Rowan and I will meet with him in an hour. She has been traveling for several days, wearing the same dress, and is not able to present herself to His Highness currently," he explained, causing me to look down at my dress.

The ends looked as if they had seen better days, and the once white dress now held patches of discolored brown from the dirt. Sage may have been right, this once.

"Can the King not stand the sight of a little dirt?" I asked, knowing what would happen.

Just as I predicted, Sage shot me a withering look and didn't bother responding. I suppose he was done talking to me and had gone back to saying as little as possible. I smirked at his turned back, satisfied with the result.

Sage and I left the forested area, following the bricked road that led to the castle, which seemed larger than I had originally thought. It could easily house a hundred people and still have room for comfort.

Once the two guards saw Sage nearing, they were quick to grab and pull the handles, the doors yawning open. They each gave Sage a silent nod when we passed them, one Sage briefly returned.

I could feel the air leave my body before I heard someone gasp. I glanced up at the ceiling that spiraled towards the sky, wondering if anyone ever had the pleasure of touching it. There were intricate paintings up there, each more beautiful than the first.

There were columns at the entrance of the place, proudly standing tall and holding the structure up. The windows, much taller than I was, were being cleaned at the very moment. The more I paid attention, the more I realized that there were people everywhere.

There were guards standing around, watching and seeing everything. There were servants scampering around like barn mice, finding something to keep them busy. This place was a world of its own—it was never still.

"Rowan."

I blinked, noticing Sage was watching me curiously. I hadn't moved from my spot, still taking everything in. I walked forward and he was off again.

I knew the forest and its wildlife back home better than anyone, yet when Sage turned the first corner, I was already lost. It seemed like an endless maze that held no exit.

A few minutes later, Sage finally slowed to a stop, opening the door that we stood in front of. "You will change in here. You can shower, if you would like, and by the time you finish, there will be clothing set on the edge of the bed. However, you need to be finished and presentable within less than an hour," he explained.

I nodded, at a loss for my sarcasm before stepping into the room.