KEILAH

The queen reached for my hand again, but I quickly pulled back, pressing it tightly against my chest.

"I’ll walk myself," I said firmly.

The queen only smiled. "Alright, follow me."

She turned to Aaron, who was still bowing. "You too, young man. Follow me."

I reached for Garbie’s hand, gripping it tightly as we followed the queen. Aaron walked behind us, leading Varion.

As we stepped forward, my jaw dropped. A long, gleaming walkway stretched before us, leading straight to the most breathtaking castle I had ever seen. The path was made of smooth, silver-white stone, polished so perfectly that it reflected the sky above like glass. It...