The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

“Oh,” I murmured and then frowned. “Wait. They’re in
the east wing, right?”
A smirk appeared as Kieran said, “His and Her Majesty’s
quarters are the east wing.”
I…
Well, I had nothing to say to that as we entered the hall
beyond the staircase, passing several paintings I would
have to stop and look at later when I wasn’t thinking about
the fact that the Royal Chambers were an entire wing of the
palace. “Where will your parents live?” I blurted out the
thought as it occurred to me.
Casteel grinned. “They will probably remain here for a
bit while the transition is made, and then they’ll either stay
or move to one of the estates.”
“Oh,” I repeated.
We entered a circular chamber where the breezeways
connected the east and west wings. A goddess statue stood
in the middle, her arms stretched above her head and palms
tilted upward. I had no idea which goddess she was, but she
was definitely…ample in the hips and chest areas.
We passed a family room, a rather inviting space with
couches and thick carpets and a glass ceiling, and then
continued on through the Great Hall and past a dining area
large enough to seat dozens.
The State Room was more than one space, situated
toward the west wing of the palace. Cream settees lined the
walls of the reception hall, placed in between large potted
plants with leafy palms. Staff lingered near the banquet
tables, where people I assumed were members of the
Council helped themselves to drinks and finger foods. At the
back of the hall, two open doors led to a chamber that was
long and oval, set with a table that stretched nearly the
length of the room.
We’d taken perhaps two steps into the Hall when the
Elders turned from the table. Along with the staff, they all
bowed deeply, even Gregori—the only one I recognized.