The Rise of the Dawnstar (The Avalonia Chronicles Book 2)

fortress built centuries ago with the red clay and brick of this land—thus its name, the Red Citadel.
We entered the immense walled fortress and stopped in the outer courtyard before climbing the grand steps leading up to the palace. The citadel was situated at a strategic point, overlooking the city of Sanria on one side and the deserts that stretched across the kingdom to the east.
We followed Santino through the towering arched entrance into an antechamber, where he met with some of the palace officials while I looked around. The inside of the palace was more magnificent than the outside. Geometric carvings inlaid with white, blue, and gold were beautiful in their almost lace-like detail, tastefully adorning the high ceilings. Filigreed walls lavishly decorated with crowns and stars and interspaced with local flora caught my eye. I wondered at the craftsmanship it must have taken to create this wonderful palace.
“This part of the citadel is the more official area,” said Santino as he led us into the forecourt of the main palace, through passages lined with white marble pillars and paved with intricate colored tiles. “I will show you to your room.”
We passed courtyards sporting striking fountains and little pools surrounded by wild myrtle and orange trees, which filled the air with their enchanting fragrances. The different parts of the complex were connected by rosebush-edged pathways, with gates leading to orchards of fig, date, and pomegranate trees that dotted the inner gardens.
“The royal residence is at the north end of the complex. Once you have bathed and changed, I will take you to meet with my father. It is imperative we get his support if I am to help you.”
“I didn’t bring much with me.”
“No matter,” said Santino. “I’ve had your room filled with all the necessities ladies cannot do without.”
“Thank you.” I was grateful for a proper bath and a change of clothes.
My room in the palace was a beautiful bright space that opened onto a central court with symmetrical doorways framed with glazed tiles and stucco. The low bed sat atop a marble platform with three steps leading up to it. It was hung with lovely muslin curtains effortlessly draped around the massive bed, enveloping it in an airy cocoon.
A flock of maids were waiting to attend to my every whim, bustling about quietly and efficiently getting my bath ready in an enormous mosaic tub filled with rose-scented water. Once I had bathed and washed my hair, they laid out an array of clothes on the bed and started dressing me, draping me in layers of a light, gauzy fabric that clasped at one shoulder with a jeweled brooch and flowed around me, bound at the waist with a jeweled gold belt. The flimsy one-shoulder top was long and reached my knees. But the bottom part was slit all the way up to my waist to show a billowing pair of sheer pants, worn underneath and cinched at my ankles. My hair was dried, brushed, and plaited with gold threads intertwined through the strands.
“A lady must always look her best,” said the eldest of the maids, still fussing with the last runaway strands of my hair that never managed to stay in one place.
“Don’t I need to wear a veil?” I asked, admiring my reflection in the two big gold mirrors that the maids held up for me. I smiled at my appearance—it was not every day I was pampered like this.
“Not inside the private palace.”
Santino came to fetch me from my room, and I followed him through the flowering courtyards to another wing of the private residence of the Emir of Sanria.
“My father wanted an unofficial audience with you and prefers not to let anyone know who you are or why you are here.”
I nodded. It was better no one knew who I was. Once they did, something bad always tended to happen.
“Where’s Brandon?”
Santino shrugged. “Brandon said he had to meet someone. I’m sure he will be back soon. He doesn’t seem the type to wander the streets of the city after dark.”
We came to big silver doors, guarded by the largest men I had ever seen. They were dark-skinned and shirtless with corded muscles and leather straps across their chests. Santino explained they were tribesmen from the eastern reaches of Brandor, warriors trained since birth to protect the emirs. Each had a deadly looking spear in his hands and two curved swords hanging at his waist. These were guards you didn’t want to mess with.
We entered the vast reception room of the Emir of Sanria, who sat flanked by his personal guard. Santino bowed to his father and I did the same.
The emir nodded and looked satisfied by my gesture. He beckoned for me to step forward. “I am pleased to see that your newfound royal status has not diminished your respectfulness toward your elders, Princess Aurora.”
“I thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness.” I knew I was at the mercy of the ruler of every kingdom in which I took refuge. And I had to become smarter, sharper, and more cunning if I was going to learn to survive out here. “Santino saved my life, and I am forever in his debt.”
The emir looked at his son with a hint of pride in his eyes before turning back to me. “Yes, Santino is always trying to help those in need, quite unlike his reputation as the deadly pirate prince.”
Santino looked uncomfortable at this unexpected praise, but I was not sure his father meant it as such.
“But,” said the emir, “the fact remains that Queen Morgana is looking for you. And by bringing you here Santino has endangered our whole kingdom.” He paused and studied me. “Out of respect for my son, I will permit you to stay here for a day or two at the most, until you are rested and able to resume your journey.”
“But Father,” said Santino, “she is also a victim of Morgana’s crimes. Surely we cannot turn our backs on another