Mythborn by V. Lakshman Page A

he gestured.
    The two bowed, and began walking to what could only be the main gates. Neither looked back, as if assured that he would follow. Duncan did, knowing his first task in finding Sonya would be to face the Lady. And, he knew, she would not have brought him here if their deal was done. There was something more she wanted, and he would have to play his hand carefully.
    It was not long before he was crossing a bridge that led to the main pyramid-shaped spire, the sunlight shining through the parapets to paint alternating stripes of orange and shadow on the white bridge’s deck. Normally a bridge without anchor points below would need to be suspended, yet he noted no cables or lines. Curious, for it bespoke a level of magic used that exceeded that found in Edyn. Regardless, the bridge and castle were beautiful to behold.
    Something blue caught his eye and when Duncan moved to look, he was surprised to see this castle’s “moat” was actually a chasm that fell past dark walls to blue sky below. They were floating!
    He looked back up and saw what he’d missed before, mainly because he’d not expected to see it, the sky dotted with small shapes. Were these islands like Lilyth’s, each floating in the serene firmament? None looked nearly as large, but that might have been a matter of perspective and distance.
    As Duncan neared the main entrance guards snapped to attention and he was handed off to two others who led him inside. These fell in ahead and behind, silent but implacable, like living statues leading him inward and up.
    Lilyth’s castle was more than a simple stronghold, it was made up of multiple spires and surrounded by a small city that rose like a stepped pyramid. Each level up led to a single spire of white, a needle that pointed to the sky. Everywhere he looked, he saw people milling about, and children running around under the watchful eyes of their parents and city guards.
    The soldier in the lead motioned and they turned to enter an open courtyard, following a paved road that led in an orderly fashion around Lilyth’s city. What he’d taken for the main spire had, in fact, been merely an entrance in the outermost wall. Concentric rings circled the castle grounds, each “ring” a living space filled with markets, houses, and more children accompanied by their parents. Life here did not seem so different from a city in his own world, yet something nagged him, like a book that did not close because a page had folded upon itself. It was just enough to keep him cautious and alert.
    In moments, they had entered a thoroughfare that was wider and more ostentatiously decorated. It sloped upward, bisecting the rings and cutting a line directly to the center of the palatial grounds. His escorts picked up their pace as the speed of those around them became faster.
    Soon, they stood in front of massive doors flanked by winged guards, the wings a sign Duncan had begun to associate with being Aeris. No doubt a preferred method of travel in a world of floating islands. At some unheard signal, the guards opened the doors and backed away with a bow.
    “Be welcome and enter,” Lilyth’s voice echoed out clearly. The room was filled with courtesans and other folk, and even more children. They ran in between the legs of adults, scurrying about like mice at play. Clearly whatever laws the demon-queen enforced, she did not impose any limits on where children were allowed to play.
    He took a step in and looked around, unable to identify Lilyth, for the throne seat was empty. Looking to his right he caught his first glimpse of the Lady through her royal retinue, standing near an open arch by herself. Her aura of power was unmistakable, bringing a certain coldness to her beauty. While that did not surprise him, her blue skin did. Wherever bare skin showed from beneath her simple silver gown, he saw a soft blue that seemed to shimmer with its own light.
    Her form was lithe and tall, though not quite as tall as he. The