Page 63 of Revenge of the Elf Lord

Shalendra’s gaze narrowed, trying to see the golden links better. “Is that Gleipnir? I can’t imagine Fenrir parting from her.”

Hel shook her head. The glistening red light gleamed through the window, accentuating the deep purple stone in her silver filigreed necklace. “Gleipnir would never have left him. Instead, she created a replica of herself so Haman would remain bound for eternity.”

She turned to face the small group. “He will never harm anyone again, but another is determined to do that very thing. If Fer-Diorich manages to escape the Unseelie Court once more…” Her gaze met her husband’s. “It may take all Nine Worlds coming together to defeat him.”

Shalendra turned to Hel. “Mother, how is Helheimr? Freyja told us everyone had disappeared here and in several other death worlds. If so, why did I hear the ongoing battle in Vígvöllr?”

“Newly deceased still arrive, but within a few days, they, too, disappear. The Celtic, Greek, and Egyptian death worlds are the only places affected so far, but it's only a matter of time for the others. We must figure out who is behind the disappearances before something worse happens.”

“What could be worse than your afterlife disappearing?” Castien asked.

Hel turned to him. “There are worse creatures in the depths of the death worlds. Creatures who can end the Nine Worlds and everyone in them for all time.”

“I’m sorry I asked,” Castien mumbled.

“I’m almost afraid to ask, but how are Ingrid and Astrid?” Shalendra held her breath, afraid of her mother’s answer.

Hel smiled. “They are adorable and, for now, safe. I gave them rooms in the castle until we figure this out—and find their parents. I’m afraid they may have moved on, but I will keep asking around. So far, if they stay inside, they haven’t disappeared.” Shalendra breathed a sigh of relief, silently vowing to look as well.

Freyja wrapped her arm around Hel’s shoulders and hugged her close. “We will figure this all out in no time. For now, though, Idunn has prepared us a magnificent feast, which she tells me is getting quite cold in the dining room. Let us take this time to relax and make merry and, most importantly, enjoy the company of those we love.”

Everyone followed Freyja as she led them across the throne room to the silver door on the other side. Instead of entering, she stopped, letting the others go in first. She hesitated but turned back with a solemn expression on her beautiful face.

“Cyran, we need to talk.”

His dark blond brows rose. “That’s never good. Did I do something wrong?”

She smiled and shook her head. “No, my brave Elf Lord, you have done everything right, even what you did to your stepfather.” She waved her hand as he opened his mouth. “If you had not sent him into stasis, he would have killed many more people, so rid yourself of guilt. What I need to tell you is about your birth father.”

He frowned. “My mother never told me who he was.”

“She did tell one person, and that person confided in me.” With a sweep of her arm, Lamruil and Ailuin appeared in front of her. Glancing around the room, their gazes landed on Cyran and Shalendra.

Ailuin smiled first. “So, you took my advice and never let her out of your sight. You can thank me later. Now,” he turned to Freyja. “What are we doing here?”

Freyja’s gaze moved to Lamruil. “I believe you guessed long ago, but now you all need to hear what I must tell you. “Your father grieved over the death of his wife. One day, he met a beautiful young elf who helped him get over that loss. They fell in love, but because he had you two, twin boys are never an easy job, and a kingdom to rule, which was falling apart around him, taking her as his wife wasn’t an option. He couldn’t replace your mother. Instead, they agreed to separate, even though it broke their hearts.”

Freyja turned her amethyst gaze on Cyran. “That’s when she discovered she was pregnant with you. She married Haman Daralei to protect you, not realizing she was risking your life or hers. King Glanduildidlove you like his son, Cyran, because youarehis youngest son.”

Ailuin was the first to react and let out a loudwhoopas he threw his arms around Cyran. “Now we can be true brothers.” He laughed and pulled away, a mischievous glint in his blue eyes and wiggled his brows. “And you’re myyoungerbrother, which gives me leave to treat you as such.”

Shalendra smacked his arm with the back of her hand. “You will do no such thing. As hisolderbrother, you are tasked to watch out for him.”

Cyran’s gaze met Lamruil’s. “You knew?”

The older twin shrugged. “I guessed but had no evidence, so I never voiced my suspicions to anyone, not even Ailuin. Just before Father died, you came to the castle to report unrest in the northern reaches of Alfheimr. After you left, he took me aside and told me to watch out for you like I would Ailuin—like my brother.”

The handsome elf’s lips rose, almost smiling. “I believe he knew you were his son and loved you as much as he did Ailuin and me.”

Cyran’s chin shook, but his face remained stoic as he held out his hand to Lamruil. The other elf stared at it, then laid his hand in Cyran’s and pulled him into his embrace.

“We may argue,” Lamruil whispered. “But we always look out for one another—as brothers. I could not have wished for a better elf to welcome as family.”

Shalendra covered her mouth, trying to stem the flow of tears as they flowed down her cheeks. So many wishes had just been answered, and she could not have been happier for Cyran. He had found the family he had always longed for.

Indiscreetly, Freyja wiped her tears and cleared her throat. “There is another matter I must discuss with you. As you know, I brought Daqar and Banayl to Asgard, but I returned them to Svartálfheimr to track the group of draugar and werewolves attacking the villages. They have reported no more deaths but did discover the creatures’ last location. Fer-Diorich is somehow controlling them from his prison in the Unseelie Court.”

She scowled, her beauty darkening, and reminded Shalendra of a warrior goddess. “I have submitted a petition to King Oberon but haven't heard back. Of course, the Wild Hunt is going on as we speak, so I won’t get a response until its end. I’ve also left a message with Queen Titiana. Now that Haman is gone and Loki is, I hope, on our side?—”

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