Chapter 25

                                        

                                              
Being in Adaba was a literal assault on her senses, but Emberlee persevered through sheer determination alone. Oberon seemed all too aware and amused by her experiences while Prince Damien was utterly unaffected and unaware, though visibly concerned as she required his assistance to stay upright for a while longer. 
"It's not quite right to say you're seeing everyone's auras," Oberon finally explained, "but it's the closest I could explain so you'll understand." 
"Obviously not everyone can see it," Prince Damien didn't seem disgruntled to be excluded, likely as being included had had such a detrimental effect on Emberlee. 
"Fairies see it," Oberon's satisfaction oozed around him as much as his peacock aura did. 
"Adabans are colourful," Emberlee bypassed the declaration entirely, already aware that she was different than the human girl she'd been before Cinderella. 
But she wasn't even referring to the 'auras' she could now see hovering around people like a metaphysical stain, Emberlee meant the astonishing array of hair colours and styles. Oberon's teal belonged amongst the shades of green and blues of every shade, and there were reds, yellows and oranges aplenty. Pinks, magenta, and purples seemed to appear less frequently, at least in the areas they went through on their way to the Heart of Adaba, but Emberlee was surprised to see there were even more standard browns amongst the bronze and brass colours, and even silver appeared. Once Oberon had outright admitted that Adaba didn't have black hair like hers, and she saw he meant it. There also wasn't any white hair; silver and gray and palest pastel all brightly glowed but none were perfectly white. The colours contrasted with their darker completions made Adabans as a whole rather lovely to behold.
"In your Empire," Oberon was finally acting like a proper Ambassador, "your custom is to immediately present yourself to your Emperor. In Adaba you must wait until Méabh sends for you, but as her Guests, it's unlikely that you'll be waiting on her summons for long." 
Oberon seemed different now that they were back in no homeland, he looked more at ease and was far less flirtatious. Now he seemed almost indolent, like a spoiled house cat in the sun. Emberlee wondered if he were literally basking in Méabh's power, it was an almost palpable sensation that only grew heavier and more saturated the closer they got to the Heart. 
"I've set it up so that you'll be residing with me so I'll be on hand to assist with your settling but you'll also be introduced to Titania and the other Oberon. We will all be sharing the duties of supporting Méabh so you'll be able to turn to any of us for assistance if required." Emberlee found it interesting that Oberon had his palace, separate from Méabh and the other spouses. It implied a fair amount of independence which was at odds with Oberon's adherence to Méabh's rules. He didn't seem to mind belonging to Méabh and having to share her with others, so Emberlee had mistakenly assumed they lived more communally. 
Instead, Oberon the Pretty's Palace lived up to his Name. Xutian castles were built to withstand siege and storm, they were impressive but not externally beautiful. Adaban architecture was geometric and stunning, although there were no statues the designs built into the function were as varied as the colours staining them. Windows and archways gave every hallway and room an airy feel, and Emberlee was hard-pressed to find a closed door, but design and layout still somehow ensured privacy. 
"Welcome to my home Cinderella and Prince Damien," Oberon grinned as he walked into his palace with a swagger. "I would love for you both to make yourselves at home here," and he was back to more regular flirtation, "and I know Méabh would be even more thrilled if you did." 
"Trying to keep them all to yourself already?" the man who stepped into view was as colourful as Oberon was, but so dissimilar in appearance that it was almost starting. Oberon had long teal locks and a lithe fame, the stranger was built like a boulder and his wavy crimson hair looked like fire against dark brown skin. "The Pretty one would like the attention keeping you both would get him, but I doubt he'd like the consequences." Now he bowed, surprisingly elegant for a man of his girth and height, ignoring both Oberon and Prince Damien to address her directly. "I am Oberon the Monolith," as he kissed the back of her hand his eyes caught hers, locking them in truth even as she marvelled at their burnt orange hue. "Do tell me Cinderella, what makes you so special that Méabh's focus is on you?"