Page 75 of Magic & Secrets
Despite Mali’s praise, I knew the Gathering wasn’t interested in cultivating the cunning within the New Armgard. We were weapons, meant to act as the Bane Shifters did for the Murade. The craftier we became, the less we would need our overseers.
Nonetheless, with Mali agreeing to our proposal, Roque and I left the room to find Elves in the hallway. They were prepared for battle with their swords at the ready.
“The Bane Shifter awaits his feast,” Mali explained.
The Elven guards remained wary. I looked at Roque and smiled at how he scared these battle-tested warriors. His gaze held mine, searching for the truth. I took his large hand in mine. Breathing easier, Roque offered me a smile.
As much as I relished the passion between us, I felt danger crowding us from all sides. Revealing our mate bond left Roque’s heart exposed when our enemies were already sharpening their weapons and plotting in secret.
Roque
I DEEPLY REGRETTEDmy choice to avoid battling the Elven warriors in the clearing. Calla and I could have made quick work of them before disappearing into the wild and racing toward Mt Elysium. Elves were obsessed with rules and hierarchy. By the time the elders agreed to hunt us, Calla and I would be safe on the mountain.
Now, we found ourselves in the Tower of Reason within a city filled with warriors. Mali was not our ally, despite how well Calla treated him. My instincts demanded I take my mate and escape Elatalora. Instead, I followed several Elven guards to a room in the tower.
“The female will rest in a different section,” insisted the head Elven guard.
Extending my claws, I snarled, “My apprentice remains with me.”
The guards tensed. Every Elf, from the lowest farmer to the leader of the finest brigade, was taught the art of battle in their youth. These creatures knew what I was, yet they still prepared to fight me.
Calla wrapped her delicate fingers around my bicep and told the head guard, “Can you blame the Bane Shifter for becoming lonely after a hundred years on a forsaken mountain?”
Understanding her unspoken meaning, the Elves lost their aggressive edge. I couldn’t see her the way they did. She must have appeared so insignificant to them, simply a lost beauty attaching herself to a powerful male for protection.
When I looked at Calla, I witnessed the shining sun, offering life and promise. My affection for her was likely too obvious, so I kept my gaze from falling upon her until we were alone in the guest suite.
Wooden beams arched overhead. An ornate candle chandelier dangled from the high ceiling. Decorative windows offered a view of Elatalora’s misty roads and moss-covered roofs.
Calla walked to a glossy, white dressing table and rested her swords on the stone top. Her shield and arrows were next. Layers of armor were stripped from her body before she finally yanked off her boots.
“I need to shower,” she said and offered me a soft smile. “I wonder if they chose a room fit for a creature of your size.”
I nearly dove for Calla, who lingered across the room. We’d gone too long without mating. My mind buzzed with need. My body ached for her touch.
Her smile widened as she tugged her undergarments over her head while backing into the bathroom.
“Oh, look at all this,” she said, sounding genuinely startled.
I followed her into the bathroom with its stone floors and high ceilings.
“This bathroom was designed for giants,” Calla murmured and reached into the shower. “Look at all these lovely-smelling soaps.”
Her face lit up over the Elves’ special scents. I had no doubt they were magically enhanced. The Elves were known to use trickery during negotiations. I could imagine a less savvy creature becoming entranced by the soaps and agreeing to treaties they’d never normally choose.
Calla stepped inside the shower. The walls and floor were crafted from charcoal gray river rock. The stones glistened, creating a serene, cave-like mood. Soft lighting tucked into stonealcoves created a golden sheen to her hair. Above her was a faucet mounted, with dozens of tiny holes that released water down on her smiling face.
Her hands reached out for me. As much as I craved her, I hesitated and looked around. The Elven Empire used human technology and was undoubtedly spying on us right now.
“I am your concubine,” Calla said, grasping my worries. “Let me be of use.”
Grunting at the thought of her as no more than a creature meant for sexual gratification, I nearly denied us this pleasure. My stubborn nature believed suffering would prove my devotion.
Except I wasn’t certain what awaited us at tonight’s feast. If a thousand Elves needed to die to guarantee my mate's safety, their lives would be mine to take.
Beyond my desire, I recognized how I could be making enemies for not only Calla and me but my pack back on the mountain. What if I killed Elves here in Elatalora, only for word to spread throughout the Territories? If Delta or Koda requested help from an Elf, they might find themselves in danger.
“A power greater than ours is in play,” Calla murmured, still holding her hands out for me to join her. “Trust how we are mere pieces moved around a game board. With so little control over our destinies, do we not deserve this quiet moment before it all might end?”
