Dean growls, clearly done with this conversation and ready to return to his palace.
Varis sighs, rubbing his tired eyes. "If we must stay, I can cast an illusion to hide who we are. Only a powerful wielder of magic could see through it, and only if they knew to look."
Dean grins. "Well, why didn’t you say so earlier, my good friend? You know, this illusion thingy seems incredibly useful. There’s this lady friend of mine, absolutely gorgeous. We didn’t leave things off so well, if you know what I mean. She still hates the sight of this pretty mug. So, maybe we could alter it for an occasion. Just keep it beautiful though, okay?"
Varis ignores the prince, addressing everyone else. "Each of us will be able to see through the illusion, but strangers will not. Understood?"
Fen purses his lips, looking down at the woman in his arms. "Cast the spell on Arianna's friends as well. I don't want the vampires here tempted to feed on them."
"And no illusion for me at the moment," says Dean. "My people must see their prince."
Varis nods and pulls a stone from a pouch around his neck. He mumbles words in a language I recognize as ancient Fae but don't understand, and a glimmer of magic shimmers over us, like a light rain on a warm day. For a moment, I see what Varis, Fen, Es, Pete, and even Baron will look like as someone else. Then the glimmer fades, and they return to normal. Pete's eyes are round and scared but he's still not saying anything. I think he's in shock.
"Neat trick. You'll have to teach me that," I say.
The Druid rolls his eyes. "I've been trying to teach you things exactly like this. Pay better attention."
Dean chuckles at my expense and leads us into his glowing city.
***
When we enter the Moonlight Garden, I lose my breath, and fall deep into its wonders. This is nothing like the rugged Stonehill, nor even the elegant Crystal Palace. This is like a dream, one in which everything moves slowly, for everything is too beautiful to experience in haste, and in which you are happy without even knowing why. It is a dream from which you do not wish to wake. It begins with the gates, carved from pure white wood, resembling a tree and branches that you can see between. It continues in the white and purple flowers, filling the air with scents I can only call intoxicating. Scents that makes me glance at Fen and wish we were alone. It follows in the cobbled paths, and the people that fill them, scantily clad in silver and black clothing, dancing to a primal beat that reverberates through the city, stirring my body to movement. It is found in the piper sitting on a beautiful boat as it glides through the canals, and he fills the passages with the sweet melody of wonder and bliss. It is there, when we arrive at the palace. A structure of the colors of night, glowing like the moon in the darkness, its spires vanishing in the pale blue clouds. Purple vines spill from its balconies, running into gardens where naked women and men swim in glorious fountains, spouting water that glows when disturbed. There is no place like this dream. No place like the Moonlight Garden.
***
We enter the main hall of the Pleasure Palace, and I raise my arms to the ceiling so far above I can barely make it out. Purple clouds drift there, fooling my mind into believing we are still outside in nature. "An enchantment of my Keeper, Baldar," says Dean, noticing my gaze. "Ah, look, he is here to greet us." Dean motions to the Fae before us, his face perfect and pristine, his white beard short and well kept. He is a short man, the shortest I have seen in these lands, and his face is kind.
"Prince Dean," Baldar says, his voice loud and jolly. "How splendid it is to witness your return. May I prepare a bath or—"
"My friend needs healing," says Dean, gesturing to Es. "Take them to the eastern wing and use only your best potions."
Baldar nods and motions to a nearby servant, a shirtless Fae with ivory skin and long, elegant limbs. The young man takes Es into his arms, then Baldar guides him and Pete into a grand hallway, out of sight.
"I should go with them. Explain things." I step forward, and suddenly my knees buckle and I fall backwards.
Fen catches me from behind. "Let the Keeper do his work. Later, when Es is awake, you can explain. Right now, you need to rest." He glances at my arm, where Lopsi’s venom burned my dress and left a red mark.
"Fine," I say, knowing he’s right.
Dean waves us over. "Come, I’ll show you to your rooms."