The palace bridge they crossed was impressively wide—nearly ten meters across—and unquestionably the largest of Eligma's many suspended pathways. As Yiren led Xuefeng off it, he noticed a row of solemn guards stationed near the archway, their postures stiff under flowing green cloaks. Each held a slender spear carved from some pearly white wood. Upon recognizing the princess, they dipped their heads in deference and allowed her to pass freely.
Yet Xuefeng did not go unremarked. Every one of those guards shot him a mixture of wary and envious looks, as though he were some strange intruder who'd trespassed on sacred ground. Word traveled fast among the Forest Elves, and the news of a potential consort for the future queen had already woven itself through the city's web of whispers. Xuefeng had become an object of both fascination and resentment.
