Page 16 of Daughter of the Darkened City

Enid groaned and rolled out of bed, dressing quickly. She was already late and hoped she could grab something to eat before they left for Elf Glen.

Her brothers waited for her downstairs, eating breakfast with Kalen and the other demons. She went to sit down, but Dryston stood, grabbing her arm and placing a biscuit in her hands.

“No time. You’ll have to make do with this as we go,” he said.

“Good morning, brother,” she grumbled, following him outside.

“Were you busy breaking hearts so late last night that you couldn’t wake up on time?”

“No see, it’s pronouncedgud mor-nuhng,” she replied, exaggerating each syllable. “And what if they’re breaking mine? Will you defend my honor?”

She had hardly been the one breaking hearts last night. For a moment, with the seraphe, it had felt as cutting as a knife. Like she’d taken a magnifying glass over Enid and found her lacking.

“What honor?” Kaemon asked, coming up next to them.

She narrowed her eyes, then tilted and thrust her shoulder into his side, making him stumble a step and laugh.

Dryston shook his head. “We don’t have time for childishness today, Enid. Behave yourself when we meet with King Leeth.”

Mountains rose on either side of Elf Glen in a wall of impenetrable gray. Green grass and wildflowers drifted in the breeze, covering the way as they walked to the ornate gates of the city. They were let in the castle walls easily; the guards eyeing them with curiosity and maybe a bit of fear. Enid flashed them a grin and a wink, making the elfe standing on guard flush pink and reward her with a soft smile.

Dryston leaned close so no one else could hear and whispered, “Be respectful, Enid. I don’t need you wooing every female in the city and drawing more attention than necessary. Need I remind you that Nemus is barely welcoming to demons as is?”

She raised a brow and gave him a long look. “Need I remind you that I’ve been in Nemus for months now? So I have a pretty good idea about how demons are received. More so than you.”

Dryston looked like he was about to give a retort, but Enid’s gaze slipped ahead and she stared in wonder. The cobblestone streets dipped down, the buildings lining their way in a colorful array of blues and greens and purples, with the spires of the castle peeking over of thetop. Intricate patterns criss-crossed and swooped along the white stone of the castle, traces of gold creating designs she couldn’t look away from. Tracery windows lined the walls with stained glass.

An elfe in white robes greeted them when they arrived at the castle. “Welcome, Lord Dryston and company. The king is eager to meet with you.”

She led them through the halls, the servants and others inside staring curiously and looking away hastily when they were caught. Enid had grown accustomed to the people of Orc Haven not caring about her and Kaemon’s presence, only receiving a few glances from travelers. It wasn’t hostile, which was a good start, she supposed.

Though she understood when it was hostile. She remembered those long years under the Cruel Lord’s rule. He’d made it terrifying for the demons, and they were far freer than the people of Nemus. They’d learned in school of the horrors he’d wreaked here, forced to look the terror of it head on, so that none of them would repeat it or ever think anyone exaggerated accounts of it.

For the elves to only look on with curiosity was a good show of progress—one Enid didn’t miss.

Still, there was a taut line of tension in Dryston’s stance. She could practically see his thoughts written in the stiffness of his body, his face.His hyper-awareness of how he appeared to others hounded him like a dog on a hunt.

They arrived at the tall double doors and guards ushered them in, the sighing creak as they opened filling the room. Light filtered in through a skylight in the vaulted ceiling, scattering in glittering rainbows across the marble floor. King Leeth sat atop his throne on a tall dais at the back. He was just as Enid remembered him from months ago—tall, broad shouldered, with long black hair falling to his waist. He stood, his robes fluttering about him with the movement, a grin splitting his face.

“Welcome!” his voice boomed, and Enid smiled.

He’d been just as gregarious as when she’d visited last. A kind male with little care for pomp and circumstance. He walked down the steps and the elves in the room kneeled. Enid and the other demons followed suit, placing her fist over her chest in salute, leaving Dryston standing as the only other person of equal rank to King Leeth.

Leeth took Dryston’s arm, both males grasping the other at the elbow in a show of respect, bowing slightly.

“It’s an honor to meet you, King Leeth,” Dryston said. “Thank you again for sending protection for my brother and his mate.”

“I was more than happy to. Your father visited me on his first peacekeeping trip to Nemus. I knew then that as long as his line ruled The House of Shadows, we would gladly be in alliance.”

Enid could see Dryston’s tension loosen. They were fine words—ones rarely spoken about demons. Dryston had worked tirelessly for the last eleven years to create alliances in Medeis and make right what had happened in Nemus. But most didn’t trust them enough to even hear him out.

Leeth turned to those kneeling and waved his hand. “Please stand. Let’s talk as friends.”

Enid sprang to her feet, grinning at Leeth, who returned her smile.

“I’m glad you visited me so soon,” Leeth said. “I have to admit, I started to suspect that Enid may have made the alliance without your approval.”

He slid her a sly glance, and she coughed in her hand.

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