Page 62 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody
“Glory to the revered Elders for their wisdom and protection.”
I count the style of voices that speaks through Lord Sylas Duvall.
Four voices.
There are six names written in that paper when the Aeonians requested me to bind Svenn to them back in the human world.
Samara, Leafhdraich, Kabur, Thormein, Siullan, and Kafrenn.
Yet the four voices don’t sound like they are affected by the death of one of them. Not a hint of sadness or fear of revelation. Do they even know that one of them is the sorcerer responsible for the killings in Windhaven?
I wish I can expose them in front of the council and the people. But Svenn could not find a single trace of the body he ripped off in the sewer, and neither could my knights. Aelfric has searched the sewers for five days now and discovered nothing but ash and remnants of the rat beast.
“The Aeonians have been masquerading as the Shadow Fae,” Aelfric muses, appearing by my side as if thoughts summoned him. “If what the vampire said is true, then most of our major conflicts with Darvan, Myrkheim, and Avalon are instigated by them.”
The fact sends my skin crawling with goosebumps. War is inevitable, I know. But I won’t give up. I’m still writing letters to anyone who wishes for peace, Mavren of Myrkheim, Kheirall of Hel, Daraiel the dwarven steward in the North.
Aelfric’s keen eye is honed on the messenger on the podium, watching every movement. “A baseless accusation will spark a civil war, especially if the charge comes from Völundr.”
I nod. It’s simply not worth the risk.
The only thing we have is Svenn’s words.
My husband has no reason to lie. He could have pulled that culprit out of the vortex fully, but he didn’t do it because Shade and I were seconds from being buried under the tunnel.
“We keep to ourselves until we have solid proof,” I say to him.
Aelfric rakes a hand through his short cropped blonde hair, adjusting the black patch covering his left eye. Sometimes I wonder if he is still in pain over that injury. He heaves a slow breath through his nose to keep his emotions under control.“We’re letting their Valorian Knights leave with three thousand chests worth of silver and gold from you.”
“I don’t care if they steal the treasure,” I mutter, shaking my head. “I’m scared if they’re planning something more sinister.”
Fear rattles through my bones over their wicked treachery. “We need to be ready for anything.”
“You’ve changed,” Aelfric muses, studying my face silently.
I turn to look at my friend. “Is that bad?”
“Not at all,” he shakes his head and smiles. “I like you like this. But I have to ask. Are you happy, Rhianelle?”
I slowly drop my hands to my lap. The question stuns me like a violent whip, but the answer is easy.
“I am.”
Being this close to him, I can see the sapphire blue of his only eye. Something like relief flashes in his irises. “I needed to hear that.”
I furrow my eyebrows at that remark.
“The Varyndor camp,” he says simply, answering my questioning eyes. “I should have been there to protect you, Rhianelle.”
Oh Aelfric.
It was really no one’s fault. I wanted to belong so badly that I—
Aelfric lowers his head, his gaze hardening. “But I’m glad you’re happy now.”
“Of course she’s happy.” Garrett suddenly appears, sliding to the other seat next to me. “She has a baby wyvern now.”
Aelfric cuts him a flat stare that would have sent lesser male running. “Keep it down, you fool.”
