Read Online Oak And Mist (The Ambeth Chronicles Book 1) by Helen Jones - Free Book Online Page A

again?’
    Caleb smiled at her obvious eagerness. ‘Yes, in fact he’s waiting for you right now,’ he said. ‘They all are.’
    ‘They?’ said Alma.
    ‘Yes, he has assembled the Court, both Light and Dark. To see you.’
     
    ***
    ‘So, what are they like, the High Court, I mean,’ puffed Alma, as they hurried along the paths to the Great Hall. 
    ‘Oh, you’ll see,’ said Caleb enigmatically.
    ‘But – oh, just slow down a moment, will you,’ Alma said crossly. Seeing Caleb’s face as he stopped and looked at her, she apologised quickly. ‘Sorry.’
    Caleb shook his head, coming back to Alma and linking his arm through hers.  ‘No, you’re right, I was being unfair,’ he said as they resumed their path through the gardens, but at a more sedate pace. ‘I always get nervous when the Court assembles. It’s just, seeing them all together, the High Lords of Light and Dark, well, it makes me remember just how ordinary I am.’
    ‘How do you mean?’ Alma was more curious than ever. ‘D’you mean, like, they are mystical creatures and-’
    ‘No, no,’ Caleb replied, laughing. ‘Nothing like that. No, I mean I just look ordinary, that’s all.’
    Alma considered Caleb as he walked beside her. He was a little taller than she was and nicely made, with straw blonde hair above a freckled, smiling face. His eyes were beautiful, she decided. A shifting blue-grey like the sea, they were fringed with dark lashes and, as they stared into hers, she realised she had been looking at him without saying anything for far too long.
    ‘Oh!’ she exclaimed, blushing. ‘That was so rude of me, I’m so sorry,’ she went on, apologising for the second time in as many minutes. ‘I didn’t mean to stare, I was just trying to figure out what you meant… I mean, I don’t think you look ordinary at all. You look… nice,’ she concluded, which brought a broad smile to Caleb’s face.
    ‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘So do you – in fact, I think you’ll fit in quite well.’
    They arrived at the Hall and Alma had no more time to wonder what Caleb meant as they approached the large wooden doors. They were wondrously crafted, with hinges made from intricately shaped and figured metal that curled across the carved wood like living things, flanked by stern guards in dark blue livery. One of the guards smiled slightly and stepped forward to open one of the massive doors for them. They stepped into the foyer and Alma gasped in amazement, hanging on to Caleb’s arm as she took in the magnificent space. Pale pillars of carved stone supported a painted timber ceiling and a large glass dome let in light to flood the mosaic floor, where tiled vines twisted and curled around mystical creatures. The walls were made of the same pale stone blocks as the pillars, their mellow sheen and soft edges speaking of time beyond imagining, hinting at how long ago the Palace had been built. Doors and passageways led off between the pillars. Alma could have stayed there all day just looking around, but Caleb pulled her gently forward to the next set of carved wood and metal doors. These were even more beautiful than the last and manned by another set of stern guards. Once again, the doors were opened for Alma and Caleb to pass through, and once again Alma gasped once she was on the other side. But she really couldn’t help it, not this time. It wasn’t just the room, the glorious stained glass windows drenching the space with coloured light, the mosaic floor and high arched ceiling of timber and stone. No, it was the company within that had amazed her so. For every single person in that room, regardless of age, colouring or gender, was utterly, heartbreakingly gorgeous.
     
    ***
    At one end of the Great Hall, almost hidden behind a tall column, stood Deryck, bored as usual by the assembled Court. Nearby, a small group of young women sighed and giggled at the sight of him, but he had no time for their silliness today. He had answered