Aidan leads us to his palace of reds, browns, golds, blacks, and greens, and we find Bridgette waiting for him at the front, golden, elegant, thin-metal gate, having already transported Ravanna and locked her away. Bridgette bows before him and he smiles fondly before Bridgette turns her attention to us.

"I'd like to formally apologize for Ravanna impersonating me," Bridgette apologizes with a sigh, "I don't know all of what she said, but I'm hoping we don't get off on the wrong foot because of it."

"It's fine, don't worry about it," Reine smiles genuinely and Bridgette smiles back.

"So, like," Nathan starts and gains our attention, "are you really four hundred years old?"

"Nathan!" Ayette hisses and kicks him in the shin, "you don't ask something like that!"

"Jeez, sorry," Nathan sighs, rubbing his shin as he grimaces.

"No, it's okay," Bridgette laughs, "I really am, but Iegashyias are immortal, so age doesn't mean much once you're beyond eighteen."

"So, you're like Vampires then? You look young for a long time?" Nathan tilts his head to the side and asks curiously.

"I guess so," Bridgette shrugs.

"Sweet!" Nathan pumps his fist in the air, "I'll be forever twenty-one!"

"If you even make it that far," Bridgette smirks as she turns on her heel and looks at Nathan over her shoulder, "I'd be careful not to provoke me. My arrows trap the souls of those I kill."

With that, Bridgette winks and saunters up the cement pathway to the oak front double-doors of the red and gold castle and Nathan turns a few shades paler than normal.

"Don't worry about her," Aidan sighs, "she just likes having her fun once in a while. She's normally too busy worrying about me and my siblings to even joke around. She's my retainer, so she normally follows after me more, but she looks after all of us and I really respect that about her. She's quite amazing, actually."

"Is she like a grandma to you or something?" Nathan asks.

"No," Aidan laughs, his green eyes crinkling in amusement as he looks at Nathan, "she was my best friend growing up."

"Shit, you're old," Ayette's eyes widen.

"I'm actually only eighteen," Aidan grins, "I just meant once I got older. She's always worked with my family."

"Oh," Ayette smiles awkwardly and rubs the back of her neck.

"Nice going," Dimitri mutters and Ayette shoots him a sharp look.

"Anyway," Aidan smiles, "if you'll follow me into the castle..."

"Of course," Reine smiles back and Aidan leads the way inside, taking us up the pathway Bridgette previously took.

"Wow," Ciana gasps as we walk through the front doors that are framed by two potted ferns, "this place is huge! And beautiful too!"

"Thank you," Aidan smiles genuinely and his eyes spark with pride.

The inside of the castle consists of marble flooring and red walls with golden trim that's carved with multiple runes and designs and there's a giant golden chandelier hanging over the center of the room. The chandelier is made of thin metal strips of gold that have opal crystals hanging off of them and a giant diamond dangling from the center, surrounded by the smaller crystals. Orbs of yellow and white light float around the chandelier and offer light to the room, shining down on the golden staircase further in the center of the room that leads to a balcony and two hallways that get cut off from sight beyond the balcony. A few plants are potted in cream colored holders around the inside of the entrance area, matching the ones outside.

Aidan leads us off to the left through a hallway lit by glowing orb lights that line the walls and contain roses and white feathers in them with silver chains suspending them from the walls, golden light glowing around them and illuminating the hall. He pushes open a set of brown doors with golden metal framing them in designs similar to that of the entrance area. The throne area contains three golden thrones, a square area cut out of the floor and filled with a water fountain and waterlilies, hanging planters with ferns that reside around the thrones, multiple red pillars with golden trim on them, and the entire right wall is made of glass with a sliding door in the center that leads to a courtyard.

Bridgette is standing by one of the thrones with her hands clasped in front of her while a fair skinned, tall, petite woman with long flowing red hair and a slim red and gold dress with a slit in the side and black fishnet tights is standing next to her, her green eyes kind and gentle.

"I would like to formally introduce you to my older sister, Eden," Aidan says as he leads us up to the throne area.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," Eden smiles and bows her head gracefully, "I am most grateful that you managed to save our family."

"Save your family?" I question, "what are you talking about?"

"If you had not interfered with Ravanna's plans, she would have assassinated my brother. I have foreseen it. I, however, am not allowed to interfere. If I were to interfere, it would change everything. The thing about my gift is that no matter how I interfere, the outcome will ultimately stay the same, no matter what I do," Eden explains, "that is why I am grateful for your arrival to our city. I am also glad to see none of you have been harmed."

"Eden explained to me that you're looking for Khalida and you need our permission, correct?" Aidan asks and Reine nods.

"That is correct," Reine says.

"Khalida's sanctuary should not be bothered or interfered with by any outside force," Eden frowns slightly, "but if you have pure intentions, you will not affect or harm the area. Only those with a pure heart will be accepted inside Khalida's sanctuary. Getting her help is a different story, but if you can manage to even get in, that's a good start."

"With that being said," Bridgette starts, "I believe it would be wise to only send a few of you to Khalida. Specifically, those who have the highest chance of being allowed in and perhaps some skilled fighters to protect you, but they won't go in. At least, that's what I recommend, your highnesses."

"Well," Aidan sighs, "then I suppose if it means you can help stop Coralyinn, you are allowed access. I truly believed you have the best of intentions and I respect you all for that and wish you well in your journeys. Only five of you will be permitted to go to the sanctuary. I will allow two extras to go with you for support and extra strength, but they'll have to stop outside the sanctuary. The rest of you are welcome to stay here until your companions return."

"Thank you," Reine smiles, her eyes showing relief as she bows her head.

"Of course," Aidan smiles back, "in the meantime, I would advise against traveling tonight. It'll be getting dark in a few hours and it can be very dangerous traveling to Khalida's sanctuary. You're actually in luck, tonight we're hosting a celebration here at the palace for our annual spiritual appreciation of our sector. You're all welcome to attend. The guest rooms are down the hallway we came, up the staircase in the entrance area, and off to the right. The celebration begins in three hours if you wish to attend."

"That would be lovely, thank you," Reine says and my eyes flicker between her and Aidan and I frown, wondering why I feel so uneasy.

I glance over at Dimitri and he catches my gaze before he silently smirks at me and I narrow my eyes at him. Ciana glances between me and Dimitri and raises a brow curiously, but she chooses to stay silent.

"So," Nathan starts, looking at Eden, "your a sort of prophet, right?"

"That is correct," Eden smiles softly, "is there something on your mind, Nathaniel?"

"How did-- oh, right. Prophet. Um, anyway..." Nathan trails off, rubbing the back of his neck, "could you maybe teach me some things? I know being a prophet is different than having insight, but...I was hoping you might know how to help me."

"Of course," Eden continues to smile, her emerald eyes warm and inviting as she gestures to the glass door with a soft sweeping motion with her right hand, "if you would join me out in the courtyard, I could help you train and strengthen your spirit."

"Thanks," Nathan sighs in relief and visibly relaxes as if a weight has been lifted off his shoulders as he follows Eden out to the courtyard.

"Do you think he'll be okay?" Ayette frowns as she watches the two of them.

"He's in good hands," Aidan smiles fondly, "trust me. Whatever he's been through, Eden will be able to understand."

"Your highness," Bridgette taps Aidan on the shoulder before she gestures to the doors behind us, "it appears you have a guest."

Most of us turn our heads out of curiosity in the direction of the door to see a little blonde girl with silver-grey eyes in a white sundress struggling to push open the doors as she peeks her head in the throne room and Aidan laughs.

"Silver, hang on," Aidan chuckles as he swiftly crosses the room and opens one of the doors for the small girl, who runs inside and hugs his leg.

"It appears her majesty has snuck out of bed once again," Bridgette muses.

Aidan lifts up the blonde girl and carries her as he makes his way back over to us, smiling brightly.

"This is my little sister Silver. While Eden and I are only a few years apart, Silver is only ten," Aidan explains, "my parents weren't planning on having any more children, but then Silver came along and she managed to brighten the family even more than anyone thought possible."

"She's so adorable!" Ciana exclaims and goes up to them, waving to the little girl.

"Don't feel bad if she doesn't talk to you," Aidan says, "she's quite shy."

"What's her gift?" Ayette asks out of curiosity.

"I'm Prosperity, Eden is Prophet, and Silver is Light," Aidan explains.

Silver sneezes and Dimitri chuckles, staring at her fondly while Reine smiles sadly.

"She seems wonderful," Dimitri smiles and Ayette glances over at him and smiles sadly.

As Silver tugs on the white ribbon in her hair that's tied in a bow and holds up her long ponytail, I smile and know that I'm not the only one who realizes Dimitri and Reine are probably thinking of Elespeth.

"Your highness had better make sure your nice and nephew are both still in bed," Bridgette points out and Aidan's eyes widen, "you wouldn't want Eden worrying, would you?"

"Crap, you're right," Aidan sighs and he looks at us apologetically, "I'm sorry. I'd better go check on my sister's kids. She can be a bit overprotective of them at times and they tend to take after Silver."

Silver waves shyly as Aidan hurries off with her and Reine smiles while Bridgette laughs at the sight.

"You're welcome to explore the palace and pick out guest rooms if you wish," Bridgette says and we return our attention to her, "we'll worry about choosing who will go to the sanctuary tomorrow morning after tonight's celebration. In the meantime, if any of you want to go out into the courtyard where Eden and Nathan are to train, you may."

"We thank you for everything," Reine says and bows her head once more.

"It's no problem, really," Bridgette chuckles, "we're just doing what anyone would do."

As we all begin to disperse, I jog up to Reine and tap her on the shoulder. She stops in her tracks and glances over her shoulder at me and I smile sheepishly.

"Uh," I start, rubbing the back of my neck, "would you mind training me?"

"No," Reine says, "that's probably a good idea anyway. We should get in as much training time as possible. Let's join the others in the courtyard and then we can begin."

"Alright," I smile, "thanks."

"Anytime, Gabriel," Reine smiles back at me.