Page 16 of Eluvonia
The world blurs, colors smearing together as I cling to his claw. My fingers ache, every muscle in my body taut with tension. Somewhere in the chaos, a strange thought flickers to life: I’m alive. Terrified, humiliated, but alive. And beneath the dread, a flicker of something unexpected stirs—a sliver of exhilaration.
As the Dragon drifts lower, the wind eases enough for me to loosen my grip and take a shaky breath. My heart still hammers in my chest, but as I glance down, awe steals over me. The world below sprawls out like a fractured tapestry, the realm of Eluvonia both stunning and scarred.
Fields of gold shimmer under the sun, yet they’re marredby long, dark trenches that gouge through the earth like claw marks. Even the forests, dense and ancient, are flecked with blackened trees, their twisted forms standing as mute witnesses to the destruction that has ravaged this land.
Rolling hills undulate like frozen waves, but here and there they crumble into jagged pits, as if ripped apart by unseen hands. Lakes glint as if they are shards of sapphire, their beauty tainted by the swirling stains of ash and soot.
Strange creatures leap from the water, their sleek forms breaking the surface with effortless grace. For a fleeting moment, I forget my fear, my eyes drinking in the beauty—and the devastation—of it all. My heart aches for the realm, for the scars it bears and the countless stories of ruin etched into its lands.
But the wonder is short-lived. In the distance, a dark shape looms on the horizon, cutting through the landscape. Its edges are sharp and cruel, spires of black stone reaching skyward as if clawing at the heavens. Smoke coils from its peaks, staining the clouds with an ominous gray.
I squint, pointing toward it. “What’s that?”
The Dragon doesn’t answer. His wings twitch subtly, and we veer toward the ominous structure. As we draw closer, the details sharpen—a fortress of towering stone spires, ancient and foreboding. The peaks rise like the claws of some great beast, reaching toward the sky. Narrow slits are carved into the stone, windows or perhaps defenses, giving the place an air of impenetrable menace.
We pass over a sprawling settlement at its base. Dragon shifters move below, their scaled wings catching the light in a kaleidoscope of colors. Some barter in open markets, others sweep the steps of wooded houses.
Children dart between them, their laughter rising faintly above the bustle. The sight stirs a hollow ache in my chest, a bitter reminder of what my people have lost. Memories of fallen Fae, their lifeless bodies strewn across the forest floor, flash before my eyes. The joy of the bustling settlement below curdles into resentment, the sharp edge of jealousy cutting deep and the awe I felt fades, replaced by a gnawing resentment. How could they live so freely, while my kin lie buried beneath the weight of their cruelty?
As I wrestle with my thoughts, the Dragon turns suddenly, his wings propelling us upward toward a structure that dwarfs anything I’ve ever seen. It looms above the landscape like a relic of another era, its surface rough-hewn and jagged, with narrow openings carved deep into the stone. At the summit, a massive ledge juts out, like the hand of a forgotten giant reaching into the void.
The Dragon beats his wings in a powerful rhythm, hovering in front of the ledge.
My gaze locks onto the imposing stone ledge and the dark void of the massive doorway beyond it. Questions spin through my head, tangling like threads in a storm. What is this place?
Before I can think further, his claws release me without warning. A scream tears from my throat as I plummet. Air rushes past, and the sharp stone below rushes up to meet me. My body crashes against it with a jarring impact that steals the breath from my lungs. Pain flares through my side, but relief follows when I realize I haven’t cracked my skull.
As I struggle to gather myself, I catch sight of tanned legs strolling past me. Blinking through the haze of pain, I look up—only to see a completely nude male sauntering by withoutthe slightest hint of modesty. A strangled yelp escapes me, and I throw my hands over my eyes, heat flushing my face.
Laughter erupts, rich and unapologetically amused. “Planning on staying down there forever?” he asks, his voice deep and taunting.
Peeking through my fingers, I meet his gaze—his lazy smirk radiating confidence. “What’s wrong Fae? Never seen a male before?”
I snap my hands away from my face, scowling despite the furious blush staining my cheeks. My legs wobble as I stand, brushing dirt from my scraped knees with jerky, defensive motions. I refuse to answer, my gaze darting anywhere but his infuriating smirk. The yawning darkness beyond the doorway catches my eye, offering a welcome distraction.
“Get in here before I get bored and shove you off the balcony,” he says, the humor in his voice laced with something darker.
Muttering under my breath, I step past him, my movements stiff with indignation. The second I cross the threshold, I freeze. The space is unlike anything I’ve seen before. It feels alive, burning with an intensity that makes my skin prickle. The walls are draped in crimson fabric, cascading down like rivers of blood under the flicker of soft light. Shadows dance across the room, their movements hypnotic, as if alive themselves. At the edges of the room, some seem to stir uneasily, almost like they are following the Dragon male’s movements. They seem to pulse and stretch in his wake.
Plush fabric muffles my steps. A faint, spiced aroma lingers in the air, wrapping around me like a whisper. In one corner, a raised platform brims with thick, embroidered cushions shimmering with golden threads, a couch. I remember thegrandFae talking about them.
Opposite it stands an intricately carved wooden structure, its swirling patterns reminiscent of vines—or Dragon tails, I think—yes, it’s a dresser. Shiny objects glint on its polished surface, their shapes unfamiliar yet oddly alluring.
But the centerpiece of the room steals my attention. A massive structure dominates the space, draped in translucent red fabric that cascades like a veil. Pillows and cushions are piled on it, their arrangement both chaotic and inviting. It’s unmistakably a bed—but one unlike any I’ve ever seen.
I take another hesitant step, my senses overloaded by the room’s alien beauty.
I need to get out of here.
The thought surges through me, sharper than the lingering scent of spice in the air. I don’t belong in this place, in this suffocating display of wealth and power. My people are out there—what’s left of them. Scattered, lost, maybe even dead. I don’t have the luxury of standing here, wide-eyed and overwhelmed.
I have to find them. I have to survive.
My fingers curl into fists at my sides as I force my gaze away from the crimson-drenched opulence around me. Everything here is unfamiliar—too soft, too indulgent. It’s designed to lure, to drown the senses in comfort until you forget you’re a captive.I won’t fall for it.
The Dragon male watches me, thankfully dressed now, a shiver ghosts down my spine.
I can’t afford to be distracted. Not by this room. Not byhim.
