25

We exited the ship, Bindi and the two soldiers she’d brought with her being the first to exit. She and her guards stood two by two on either side of the ship’s exit ramp, standing at attention with their crossbows in arms at their sides. They were armed and ready as Sire Vanoire exited next with Halo behind him, then Aria.

As soon as Aria stepped out of the airbus, there was a roar of cheering. Something that threw her totally off-guard. Her steps faltered a little, but she regained her composure quickly as she descended the ramp. I followed her, virtually unnoticed. I didn’t care—my last visit to the falls was disastrous—but it seemed that Queen Nadine and Bastien Salt had all but forgotten the horrors of that night when Aria was abducted by Polonius just before I was thrown to my death. Hopefully, this visit wouldn’t end in tragedy.

“Welcome, Aria, queen of Onyx Rah.” Queen Nadine bowed her head. “And Halo Goldlace. We are glad to have you come. You and your entourage are welcome he