Page 68 of Eluvonia
I’m Fae. I should be loyal to my own kind, right?
I glance at Kaida out of the corner of my eye, my thoughts swirling.Right?
Sitting in Kaida’s library—ourlibrary now, it feels like—I flip through a book from Midgard,Beauty and the Beast. Declan told me the king himself brought it back from one of his trips.I met the king briefly a few days ago. He’d come looking for Declan during breakfast, a kind smile lighting up his face. He didn’t sneer or look down at me like so many others do. Instead, he told me he still believes Dragons and Fae can one day live in harmony. His words stuck with me. I hope for that too.
I turn another page, the story drawing me in despite its simplicity. I can’t help but relate to Belle—a prisoner in a castle, stuck with a broody beast. A quiet snort escapes me as I compare my life to hers.
The sound of Declan and Kaida’s voices echoes through the library, their argument shattering my focus.
“I’m just saying,maybenext time you could actually think before charging headfirst into a trap,” Declan jabs, his arms crossed as he leans back in his chair.
Kaida scoffs, his wings twitching in irritation. “It wasn’t a trap. It was acalculated risk.And if I hadn’t ‘charged in,’ we’d still be sitting there debating logistics while that caravan burned to the ground.”
Declan snorts. “Calculated risk, my tail. You looked at the problem, saw the biggest one, and decided to punch it.”
“And it worked, didn’t it?” Kaida retorts, smirking.
“Yes, after you nearly got yourself skewered by that rogue with the—what was it—oh, right, thegigantic spear. Brilliant move, really.”
“Don’t forget the part where I saved your sorry hide when that second Fae snuck up on you.” Kaida leans against the table, his grin widening.
Declan waves him off. “Details. Besides, I had it under control.”
Kaida raises an eyebrow. “Sure, becausescreaming like ahatchlingis the hallmark of control.”
I snort into my book, unable to hide my laughter. Declan glares at me, though there’s no real malice in it. “Don’t encourage him, Aer.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” I reply, biting back a grin.
Before Declan can fire back, a messenger strides into the library, his face pale and drawn. He bows quickly and turns to Kaida. “Sir, report from Thaldrim. There’s been an attack on a mountain village near the base of the range. Massive casualties. The attack is ongoing, and they’re requesting immediate aid.”
The light banter evaporates instantly. Kaida straightens, his expression hardening. “Ready the soldiers. I’ll meet everyone at the front gate,” he says with the calm authority of someone who’s done this too many times before.
The messenger salutes and leaves as quickly as he came. I place my book down and walk over to Kaida, who’s already reaching for his sword. He’s been keeping it close to him lately, always ready for an attack.
“Duty calls,” he says softly, his tone gentler now. His fingers brush a stray strand of hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear.
“Aren’t I coming with you?” I ask, the question slipping out before I can stop it.
Kaida smiles and shakes his head. “Not this time. I need to be able to move quickly and focus on dealing with the Fae without having to worry about your safety.”
I cross my arms and pout, frustration bubbling up. “I know how to defend myself.”
He chuckles, a light sound that doesn’t quite mask the concern in his eyes. “Yes, I don’t deny that. But you’re notquite at my level,” he says with a wink, his usual teasing tone making me huff in annoyance.
I smile faintly regardless, the warmth of his words still carrying weight even if I don’t want to admit it. My chest tightens with unease, but I try to push it aside. “Be safe,” I whisper.
Kaida pauses for a moment, looking at me with a deeper gaze, as if saying something more than what his words offer.
His gaze holds mine for a moment, longer than it should. Declan clears his throat loudly, breaking the tension. “What about me? No heartfelt goodbyes for your favorite Dragon?” he asks, his mock-offended tone lightening the mood just a little.
I roll my eyes. “Try not to annoy everyone to death,” I say with a wink.
Declan scoffs, pulling me into a quick hug. “We’ll be back soon,” he promises, his usual cheer dimmed slightly.
I nod, stepping back, but a strange unease settles in my stomach as they head toward the door.
Something about this feels…off.
