A Perfect World

Chapter 28

AELIN POV

Aelin wasn't so sure if she would ever get used to Fenrys' power. Leaping through space with his strange magic was a completely disconcerting experience. She would have been questioning her new reality had Elide not gripped her in a massive hug. Her friend's solid presence was enough to reassure her that she was really in Doranelle.

"Welcome to Doranelle," Elide said to her, extending her arms as if giving a presentation. 

"This is the room Sellene assigned you?" Fenrys asked, surveying the space. "A bit of a dump if I'm being honest."

"A pleasure as usual, Fenrys," Elide said, lips twitching with a bit of irritation, "It's cosy and comfortable."

That was exactly the description that Aelin would have used. It definitely didn't run according to Aelin's tastes—which tended to be more on the side of opulence—but it was a fine room. It beat Mistward by a long shot. Two beds took up the majority of the decently sized room, with a pair of desks and a single dresser. The open door beside the dresser revealed the bathing room and a window on the opposite side of the room. Aelin walked over to it and the view awed her.

Oh she had heard of Doranelle's famed castle that floated on its sacred rived mouth, but seeing it in person was a completely different thing—especially from this high up. 

"It's magnificent, isn't it?" Elide asked.

"I'll say," Aelin replied, certainly meaning it. This wasn't any old river. It was easily a kilometre wide and the castle sat across almost half of it. It seemed as though they were halfway up an eastern tower, which was still high enough to give them an incredible view of the city. There were no ramparts, just river and a network of stone bridges that interlaced over the remaining width of the river, providing access to different platforms. Some had shops, some were open with benches for sitting and others were decorated with little gardens.

The view had Aelin remembering that time she stood atop Lumas' temple beholding Rifthold with Rowan. She was dying to know what he and Sellene had stayed back to discuss.

"Your uniform's in the top drawer of the dresser," Elide said.

"My what now?"

"Your welcome, by the way," said Fenrys, "It was my idea to disguise you two as palace maids. That way you can get some leeway to explore and have some fun."

"Won't we have to do palace work?"

"New maids have shorter shifts," Fenrys explained, "Beats staying cooped up anyway. Get dressed and go nuts. You don't have to report for duty until tomorrow morning." 

For a minute, Aelin didn't say anything. Fenrys barely knew her, yet he had thought to give her a chance to live on her own terms for a little while. She knew it was selfish of her to want that so badly when the world was likely about to plunge into chaos, but she couldn't help but want that opportunity anyway. She couldn't help but be grateful for it. She wondered if he knew how much that meant to her. 

"Don't get all mopey on me," he said, rolling his eyes, "Just doing a favor for a friend."

"Thank you." Her throat burned a bit as she said it.

"No problem," he replied, giving her a quick salute before vanishing into thin air.

A rustling sound behind her had Aelin turning on her feet. Elide had taken a seat on one of the beds and was jiggling a bag of sweets. 

"We have some catching up to do," she said. 

Aelin dived onto  the bed, revelling in the bounce of the mattress beneath her. Even that simple pleasure brought her no small amount of guilt, but she tried to swallow it. With each bite of candy, she really tried.