learning the skills she required to survive, and whether she was safe, happy, hurt or suffering at the hands of whoever had her. Since her abduction, I’ve thought of her every day.
The Courthouse swings into view on the Cathedral’s western boundary. This is my destination. The hearing will take place in the circular arena that stands in the centre of this immense building. A thousand court members, representatives from all five provinces, will sit in the stands to judge my fate. And it’s in the rooms beneath this colossal configuration of white stone arches and marble columns that they will hold me, a prisoner until the hearing concludes.
As our small party of five proceeds through the streets, the crowds grow and I glance at Michael with a puzzled frown.
‘They are here for you,’ he replies. ‘You need to get used to this, cousin. You’re a celebrity now.’
‘Michael, this is no joking matter.’
‘What’s happened to your sense of humour, cousin?’ he asks, grinning at me. ‘Did you leave it in that lush green valley on Earth, in the hands of your beautiful violet-eyed fiancée?’
‘The valley is called Cedar Oakes, and, no, I didn’t leave it there. It’s in the hands of a thousand court members on Avena.’
Once we reach the entrance to the Square, crowds throng to the sides in substantial numbers. Some reach out to touch me as they call out my name. The three Thrones dismissed earlier are here with soldiers from their unit helping to keep the swelling crowds in line.
Their captain, Lady Themira, greets us. She nods formally at Michael, her helmet tucked under her elbow. ‘Commander, I see your mission was successful.’
He glances at me with a brief nod. ‘Yes, that is correct.’
She looks at me then and a big smile emerges. It lights up her face. Her silver eyes sparkle. ‘Welcome home, my prince. Wonderful to have you back on Avenean soil.’
‘Thank you, Captain.’
‘Please call me Them.’
‘Ah . . . if you like.’
‘Oh, I like!’ she says, then freezes to the spot and blushes furiously.
I try not to look at her mortified face. And I don’t want to look at my cousin. His tight-lipped, amused grin will not help me keep a straight face. And I would never purposefully disrespect Lady Themira, or any angel for that matter. ‘Well, thank you, Lady Them , for that lovely honour.’
‘My prince,’ she goes on, ‘I know I speak for every Throne when I say we are glad you have returned home, though not glad of the circumstances that have brought you here.’
Still looking at me with a smile that should have dissolved by now, the moment grows awkward. Michael is still laughing under his breath, but thankfully his need to keep me moving becomes apparent. ‘My lady,’ Michael says, indicating the surrounding crowds with raised eyebrows.
‘Hmm?’ She seems to have slipped into a daze, as if she’s forgotten her reason for being here.
An angel breaks through the crowds, her arms opening as she runs to embrace me. She means no harm, but Michael gets between us, and a soldier lifts the angel and lowers her back behind the line.
‘Let’s keep you moving,’ Captain Them says, her mind mercifully back on her job. ‘I’ve been keeping watch since last night. As soon as I noticed the numbers swelling inside the Square, I brought my unit in to assist with court security.’
I glance at the Thrones in their impeccable silver armour, male and female, equal in height and stature, standing a pace apart on both sides. All this is for me ? It’s a staggering thought.
When Captain Them leaves us, I ask Michael, ‘Why have so many come out today?’
‘To send a message to the court.’
Bewildered, I shake my head. ‘What message?’
‘You practically annihilated Prince Luca. How long did you think news of that battle would remain quiet? The conflict on Mount Bungarra has been the main conversation topic ever since. It’s caused fierce debate in the Square and in houses
The Courthouse swings into view on the Cathedral’s western boundary. This is my destination. The hearing will take place in the circular arena that stands in the centre of this immense building. A thousand court members, representatives from all five provinces, will sit in the stands to judge my fate. And it’s in the rooms beneath this colossal configuration of white stone arches and marble columns that they will hold me, a prisoner until the hearing concludes.
As our small party of five proceeds through the streets, the crowds grow and I glance at Michael with a puzzled frown.
‘They are here for you,’ he replies. ‘You need to get used to this, cousin. You’re a celebrity now.’
‘Michael, this is no joking matter.’
‘What’s happened to your sense of humour, cousin?’ he asks, grinning at me. ‘Did you leave it in that lush green valley on Earth, in the hands of your beautiful violet-eyed fiancée?’
‘The valley is called Cedar Oakes, and, no, I didn’t leave it there. It’s in the hands of a thousand court members on Avena.’
Once we reach the entrance to the Square, crowds throng to the sides in substantial numbers. Some reach out to touch me as they call out my name. The three Thrones dismissed earlier are here with soldiers from their unit helping to keep the swelling crowds in line.
Their captain, Lady Themira, greets us. She nods formally at Michael, her helmet tucked under her elbow. ‘Commander, I see your mission was successful.’
He glances at me with a brief nod. ‘Yes, that is correct.’
She looks at me then and a big smile emerges. It lights up her face. Her silver eyes sparkle. ‘Welcome home, my prince. Wonderful to have you back on Avenean soil.’
‘Thank you, Captain.’
‘Please call me Them.’
‘Ah . . . if you like.’
‘Oh, I like!’ she says, then freezes to the spot and blushes furiously.
I try not to look at her mortified face. And I don’t want to look at my cousin. His tight-lipped, amused grin will not help me keep a straight face. And I would never purposefully disrespect Lady Themira, or any angel for that matter. ‘Well, thank you, Lady Them , for that lovely honour.’
‘My prince,’ she goes on, ‘I know I speak for every Throne when I say we are glad you have returned home, though not glad of the circumstances that have brought you here.’
Still looking at me with a smile that should have dissolved by now, the moment grows awkward. Michael is still laughing under his breath, but thankfully his need to keep me moving becomes apparent. ‘My lady,’ Michael says, indicating the surrounding crowds with raised eyebrows.
‘Hmm?’ She seems to have slipped into a daze, as if she’s forgotten her reason for being here.
An angel breaks through the crowds, her arms opening as she runs to embrace me. She means no harm, but Michael gets between us, and a soldier lifts the angel and lowers her back behind the line.
‘Let’s keep you moving,’ Captain Them says, her mind mercifully back on her job. ‘I’ve been keeping watch since last night. As soon as I noticed the numbers swelling inside the Square, I brought my unit in to assist with court security.’
I glance at the Thrones in their impeccable silver armour, male and female, equal in height and stature, standing a pace apart on both sides. All this is for me ? It’s a staggering thought.
When Captain Them leaves us, I ask Michael, ‘Why have so many come out today?’
‘To send a message to the court.’
Bewildered, I shake my head. ‘What message?’
‘You practically annihilated Prince Luca. How long did you think news of that battle would remain quiet? The conflict on Mount Bungarra has been the main conversation topic ever since. It’s caused fierce debate in the Square and in houses
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