Chapter 8.

Halfway.

Aware that enough of her people had died in the Forest of Lost Tears, she followed the goblins, who were relieved to have her following them.

In fact, they didn't want to kill any harpies, male or female, so when they reached the Castle gates, the goblins transformed into humans. But she didn't. She entered as if nothing had happened, meeting Mateus's distant gaze, who seemed to challenge her to undergo the transformation. However, she sat right next to where the harpies had been positioned.

Everyone was staring at her, but not even the harpies themselves knew about the pregnancy; only she did. And so the banquet began as if nothing had happened, as if they were simply permanent guests. 

Then Mateus explained the rules:

1. Do not leave Shadowfax unless he approves.

2. Do not interfere with their decisions.

3. If any harpy finds her intended among one of the gargoyles, they must inform her first.

4. Whoever deceives will die.

5. Whoever betrays will die.

6. Whoever dares to hide another species among the ruins will die together.

7. And above all, if they are ordered to change into human form, they will have to do so; otherwise, they will face skull crushers.

8. Anyone who hides privileged information will be executed in front of everyone.

9. Anyone who dares to enter the Castle without his authorization will be condemned to three lives of misery.

10. Anyone who dares to disobey him as their leader will see their head roll straight to the next world.

After the rules were spelled out, the harpies remained silent, but Redlith simply stood up, walked to the front door, and slammed it shut so hard that everyone inside turned their gaze to Mateus, who said, "Whoever dares to touch my mate will know my fury firsthand…"

You may now continue with the feast; Everyone began to eat quietly, the goblins in their human forms sharing everything. The Castle was the place where Mateus lived alone and now he would do so with Redlith. In fact, the main room had already been arranged based on what she might like.

Dreams were very observant and from the first time they saw her secretly, they knew they should put up golden curtains like her hair, a tapestry on the walls that shone like gold, so they used gold leaf to cover the rocks that had previously been the centerpiece of the place. 

They were firm believers that she would like the opulence of the place, and that's why they had gotten such comfortable furniture that only the best designers in Whistler could create it...

Everything was perfect: the lighting from the skylight, the huge lamps, the gold-leaf walls, the marble floor, and the goose-feather bed. It was impossible for her not to feel comfortable with the place because it was exactly what it represented visually, and Mateus had approved it in order to please her. She will stay by his side forever.