Page 49 of Revenge of the Elf Lord

“We shouldn’t be here.”

“No,” she shook her head. “We shouldn’t be here, but somehow I breached the king’s ward, and violà, we’re here.”

His gaze narrowed as he stared at her until she wanted to fidget but forced her body to remain still. Finally, he turned to Loki. “And why are you here?”

Her grandfather shrugged. “Fate.”

“Not to mention, this is Loki’s prison.” Kubrel moved around them and squatted beside the god as he clapped Cyran on the shoulder. “It is good to see you, my friend. We feared the worst.”

“What happened to me?”

Shalendra brushed a strand of hair behind his ear. “I have had nothing but time here to replay our escape from Midgard, and I believe the German soldiers had magic-tainted bullets. They were guarding the dead Haman used for his experiments, with werewolves as guards, too, so it makes sense that they would have magic bullets to help control the werewolves. I’m just surprised we didn’t run into any of the creatures while we were there.”

Badoch moved behind his cousin with a crooked grin on his face. “Now that the mystery is solved, we thought you were gone. Brath and the king will be happy to hear you’re back with us. Thankfully, you never were a rule follower. Defeating death is a notable achievement, even for you.”

Cyran shook his head and glanced at Shalendra. “I’m afraid this fight wasn’t mine alone. I had help.” He smiled and reached for her hand.

Raising it to his mouth, he kissed the back, the soft touch of his warm lips sending a tingling sensation up her arm. Breathing seemed difficult as her lungs refused to pull in any air.

“Thank you, my lady, for bringing me back. There are too many things I must do before seeking eternal rest in your mother’s realm. There is one thing, though, that cannot wait.”

He wrapped his hand around her neck and pulled her forward, pressing his lips firmly against hers. The sweetness of her second kiss filled her mind and body, surrounding her heart with the most wondrous emotion.

“Well, that’s a first. The great Cyran finally noticed a female.” Badoch laughed, breaking the serene moment. Cyran broke the kiss and growled at the Frost Giant. Neither seemed too intimidated as they both laughed, Badoch clapping his still-kneeling cousin on the back, almost knocking him over.

Shalendra glanced at Loki, who regarded them with a disgusted scowl as he crossed his arms. His gaze dropped to hers. "It’s as I said earlier, and now you’ve gone and ruined everything. You will be insufferable from now on, mooning over him and following wherever he goes. Where’s your sense of adventure?”

Cyran readjusted his position, his slight grimace telling. While she had healed him, he was not at full strength. He pulled Shalendra onto his lap, hugging her close against him. His body was chilled, not warm like it should have been, so she continued to pour her heat into him, sharing her warmth and everything her heart held for this irritating, stubborn, and fantastic elf.

She frowned as something niggled at her memory. Something she was supposed to be doing… With a disgusted huff, she turned to her grandfather. “What do you know about Uncle Olivier and Aunt Jessica?”

Loki’s gaze narrowed. “Why do you ask?”

“Freyja sent me on a quest to find them. They have been missing since the second world war on Midgard. We thought they were in Niflheimr, but by the time my parents discovered where they were being kept, they were gone. I was then sent to Svartálfheimr, where the fake dwarf king imprisoned me.”

Loki frowned. “Fake dwarf king? I can assure you King Windsword is a true regent.”

I was told by someone I trust that a demon was impersonating him, and the real king was dead.”

Loki paced in front of the massive fireplace with his hands clasped behind his back. “The last time I was there, King Windsword was as fit as ever, working next to dwarves half his age as they constructed a new…medical facility.”

He spun around, facing her, his brows drawn together. “Dwarves are elves and rarely get sick. I didn’t think of it then, but why would they need a facility for sick people?” He raised his hand, and she closed her mouth. “Here me out, but when I was banished, Haman had made a deal with a Fae named Fer-Diorich?—”

Cyran groaned and laid his head on Shalendra’s, the deep rattling sound vibrating her head. “Cyran? What is it?”

“We have had several run-ins with him. He is the one who cursed Émilien into the body of a wolf. It was his magical recipe Heinrich Himmler used to create the werewolves Raisa is now the queen of.”

Her stomach knotted. “I thought the name sounded familiar. I am also aware of Raisa’s new title, which fits with her husband’s as co-regent of Alfheimr, I might add. She doesn’t have an easy job, though. They are a rowdy bunch.”

“Well, they lost their normal bodies, families, and their entire lives, so a rough transition is to be expected,” Loki added.

Shalendra smiled. “Very intuitive of you, grandfather. Now, what does any of this have to do with my aunt and uncle? Do you know where they are?”

Loki stared into the fire a moment, then faced the group. “Humor me, but I may have an idea. However, to find out if I’m right, I must be released to find a demon.”

17

Cyran’s gaze narrowed, his gut tightening at the thought of Loki loose once more in the Nine Worlds. Ignoring the two Frost Giants’ outbursts, he concentrated on the possible outcomes. Every thought ended in disaster, but the idea of a demon in league with the Dark Fae scared him more. That would result in an even worse outcome.

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