Page 98 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody
I slide off the bed, feeling a little dazed and confused.
The banging on the door is persistent. I step out into the corridor in my nightgown. Three knights rush up the staircase at the other end of the corridor towards the roof.
What are they all doing in my tower? They usually steer clear of this place because of Svenn. It’s odd that Darstan is not on his post today.
Instead, I find Young Cedwyn on his knees. A young lady in a sage’s robe lies on the floor beside him with her eyes closed.
Be careful, Rhianelle,the Un whispers.
I crouch next to him, examining the sickened girl. “What’s wrong with her?” I ask.
The squire’s eyes fly to me immediately. “My queen, please help. I don’t know what else to do.”
He moves aside so I can look at the girl better, his forehead creasing with concern. I check her wrist for a pulse. It’s strong, steady, and regular.
“She probably just fainted,” I assure him. I pass some Anastarros blessings into the young sage, just in case.
“Thank heavens.” Cedwyn heaves a relief sigh.
Two Hlaryan elves acolyte arrive just in time and fumble towards us.
“Take her straight to Lady Deirdre at the infirmary,” I order the pair. “Make sure she’s well hydrated.”
They nod and immediately assist their new patient. Just as they’re leaving, I see another batch of guards headed to the rooftop. I can’t quite make out what they are saying.
What is going on?
I don’t think I voice the question out loud, but Cedwyn turns to me.
“There’s something you should see, my queen,” the squire says urgently.
Oh?
The boy suddenly pulls my hand and drags me along with him.
“Where are we going, Cedwyn?” I ask, exasperatedly. This is highly inappropriate. I didn’t even get to change my clothes. My bedroom slippers are slipping at the speed of his run.
The boy glances over his shoulder to look at me. “You’ll see soon enough.”
He takes me to the topmost level of the east tower. I scrunch my nose as the wind carries something foul. The horrific metallic stench of blood and entrails fills my nostrils.
Cedwyn doesn’t have to point at whatever he intended for me to see. I just have to follow the flock of descending crows from the sky.
My mouth falls open at the sight of bodies piled in front of the city gate. I barely hear whatever Cedwyn is mumbling as I stare at the macabre sight before me.
You don’t even know what you have in your possession.The Rhunhraefn whispers in my head.We made that monster.
“The vampire went on a rampage and charged at the rebels all on his own—”
“All on his own?” I interrupt the squire abruptly.
“Yes, I think I’m going to throw up,” he says with disgust, covering his mouth. “One of the guards says the vampire has them lined up all the way to Tavan fortress, paved like a road to hell—”
“Where is he, Cedwyn?” I ask without delay.
“At the stable—”
I whirl from the gruesome display and run straight towards the keep’s ground. Svenn faced the rebel army alone? But Akaloth has thousands of followers. Darts of fear shoot up my vein at the very thought. I can hardly drag a breath into my lungs as I descend the stairs in a haste.
