Page 104 of A Serenade To The Elf Queen
Shit. I pick the worst of times to have a flashback. I banish the thought quickly. The wind must be conspiring against me as it blows her scent in my direction.
She smells so good.
It’s intoxicating. Distracting. And then there’s her blood. I am used to the constant thirst.
But by the devil, Rhianelle makes me feel like a newborn vampire. My throat burns at the memory of the sweetness rolling down my tongue, and the sweeter taste of her—
What am I doing?
I’m an idiot for lusting over Lilith’s chosen heir.
She’s mine.
My inner beasts growl. I chase them back to the dark corners of my mind. There are so many emotions warring through me. I don’t need them to complicate things. Not for what I’m about to do to Rhianelle.
I came here to finish her.
One of the elven guards in silver armor shoots me a disapproving look. Something noticeable must have changed in my expression. I challenge his one-eyed glare with my own death stare.
Eyepatch is unfazed.
He’s not the only one unsettled by my presence. Every single one of these elves is afraid.
I can massacre this entire procession easily without fuss. I debate with the idea for a moment. Why wait when I can kill them all now?
The curse bearer turns her pretty little head in my direction as if she can read my mind. I feel a strange tug in my chest over the look on her face.
One of the knights canters his horse next to mine, interrupting my thoughts. His red hood and cloak are a starkcontrast to his blonde hair. I send him a dark look. One he completely misses and takes as a sign to speak freely.
“We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Garrett,” he says with a cat-like smile. “Apologies for trying to rip your neck open the other night.”
I ignore him.
“I’d like to thank you for what you did,” he continues, scraping a hand through his golden hair. “For saving my queen from that punishment.”
I glance at the carriage carrying some of the injured elves. The compulsion to skin them alive rises.
Red opens his mouth again. “It’s going to be a long ride to Aelfheim. Do you wish to hear a story?”
I wish he would shut his mouth. His voice is grating on my frayed nerves.
“Come on, you’ll like it.”
I grind my teeth. The fucker doesn’t seem to read the hostility in my eyes.
“It’s about a girl who lives in the woods among the gods and monsters.”
My impatience with Red grows. I hear the pulse beating underneath his flesh. It is so easy to end it. I tear my gaze from Rhianelle momentarily to face him. A frown wrinkles the blonde knight’s features. Something is bothering the elf.
“This path… It’s perfect for an ambush,” Red mutters to himself.
So, he’s not entirely stupid after all.
Elves’ sense of smell may be keen, but they are not hunters. Not like I am. I close my eyes to listen to the wind.
The stench in the air is from something unfamiliar.
Five, seven. No.
