Page 386 of Kingdoms of Night

CHAPTERNINE

ISA

“On your knees, intruders.” A man with braided, moon-white hair stepped forward. Fingers of starlight touched the tips of his pointed ears.

Isa froze. Seigneur’s map had been accurate.They’re dryad elves.

Nico’s mouth hung open as much as hers did.

The warriors were dressed in armor crafted from gold, bronze, and dark green leaves that had somehow been fashioned into tunics and belts, trousers and boots. They had large knives on their woven belts, and small vines with bright green leaves twined through their hair. Isa’s mind went from afraid to fascinated and back again.

Werian rubbed his hands together like he was somehow enjoying this. “Ooo, are you elves like the Balaur and Shadow elves? Was I right in guessing this is the dryad elf island? I had no idea you were truly real.”

Nico grinned from ear to ear.

The elven man set his spear against Werian’s throat. “On. Your. Knees.”

“Of course. So sorry to alarm you.” Werian went to his knees. “We are peaceful sorts. There’s no need for violence.” His gaze flitted to Rhianne and Isa.

He probably was considering whether or not he and his witch wife could take this group of elves. And possibly whether or not to tell these folk who they were. Would these elves even know about royalty and armies and what might happen if you angered one?

Isa just hoped Werian would continue to be peaceful. If it came to a fight, she and Nico would most likely end up on the end of one of those spears. She knew how to use a knife and do a few strikes and blocks—Father had taught her—but it would be nothing against this group.

Maybe if she simply explained…

“My ship wrecked,” she said. “I didn’t plan to come here and bother you.” She stuck with the Lore tongue since it was the trade language that most knew and the elf had used it already. “We’re happy to leave with these two at your earliest convenience.”

Werian chuckled. “Earliest convenience.”

The elf guarding Rhianne pointed at her waist. “Give me your wand, witch.”

Werian’s face darkened, the starlight sliding past his narrowed eyes. “Eh, now, good sir. If you like that finger you’re pointing, stay away from my wife.”

The elf huffed a laugh. “You believe you can defeat and dismember me?”

“Possibly, but my wifedefinitelycan.”

Isa grinned.

Rhianne slowly set Nico down and he ran to Isa. The elves didn’t aim for Nico, but they did stiffen at the sudden movement.

Nico knelt beside her and wrapped one arm tightly around her waist. “Are they the ones from the story?” he whispered, his light eyes trained on the leader. “Is the one we saw here somewhere?”

“They might be the dryad elves. I don’t know. But I don’t think the one we saw is here. He had dark, wavy hair.”

“Where’s the elf who spied on us?” Nico said before Isa could put a hand over his mouth. “The one with the dark hair and the scary eyes?”

“Kid,” she hissed, her stomach clenching with fear. He was going to get himself killed. “Please, Nico.” She wished he knew how to stay quiet. Not that she’d been good at teaching him that particular skill.

Ignoring Nico’s question and her outburst, the elves collected Werian’s sword and dagger, as well as Rhianne’s wand and sword.

The elf who seemed to be their leader gestured to two others and said something in a language full of rolling vowel sounds and odd clicks, then he faced Isa and the rest.

“Follow us,” he said. “Run, and we will end your lives as soon as you turn your back.”

Werian and Rhianne traded a look, then the fae shrugged. They stood and began to do as ordered.

What choice was there? Unless Werian could signal his crew, they were outnumbered. And as soon as the rest of these strange elves knew they were here, those odds would grow even worse. Maybe they would stop for sleep and Isa could manage an escape with Nico. Surely, these guards would care more about securing their hold on a fae and a witch than two humans, one of whom was a small boy. She didn’t want Werian and Rhianne to be hurt, but if it came to a choice between Nico’s life and theirs, she knew exactly what she would choose.

---