Page 12 of A Serenade To The Elf Queen
“We could be,” he says with an easygoing smile. It’s so sincere and genuine that it takes me off guard.
His other hand slides to the groove of my back. My heart becomes a thundering pulse in my chest as he draws me closer. I feel the corded muscle beneath the suit; a warrior, tried and true. I know the dance, each practical spin and rotation. It’s easy to follow him as he leads me through the tempo. I’m going to use this opportunity to gauge his weakness. But I wish I could just let go.
Garrett notes the stiffness in my movement. “Tomorrow, we will be enemies. Let us enjoy the night, sweet queen,” he says casually, his eyes sparkling.
Soon, my shoulders begin to relax, and we both fall into the soft rhythm of the music. I’m supposed to be wary of him, but the commander is such a fantastic dance partner. I fight the urge to smile as he twirls me with confident, unfaltering steps. My legs will scream with pain tomorrow, but I don’t care. I meltto the sound of violins and harps, almost dropping my High Elf mask.
The waltz ends and a softer song takes its place. I study his profile up close, trying to catch a glimpse of a soul or a hint of the cold-blooded warrior that lurks behind the handsome face.
“What are you thinking about?” I ask before I can stop myself.
He gives me another flash of that disarming smile. “I’m thinking my brother was right. You are the most beautiful elf in all of Aelfheim.”
How sweet and charming. Pity I must kill him. The same thought is probably racing through his head right now. His gaze drops to my left foot for the fourth or fifth time. I swallow the anxiety in my throat. Not even Aelfric, Rainer, or Lady Deirdre know of my lame leg. I’ve hidden it so well for years. Has he noticed my weakness?
This dance was a stupid mistake.
“I’ve been wondering of your choice for tomorrow,” he suddenly drawls. “Will you honor me with a Duel or will you crush my house with Damnation?”
“My skill with swords isn’t as good as the Servant of Kvatosh,” I evade his question.
The easiness disappears from his face instantly. “Then name your champion. I’ll fight against anyone you choose.”
“If I opted for Duel, the one you may be facing is my knight, Aelfric Lightning Feet,” I say, glaring at him. “Aerin Wiolant’s sole apprentice.”
He chuckles low under his breath. “Like I said, it’d be an honor. Send both of your knights my way for the Duel.”
I bite my inner cheeks at his reply. There’s a certain arrogance about him that infuriates me.
Sorrow suddenly falls on his face. “It’s better than the other option of destroying my entire house by the rules of Damnation.I think neither of us would want a repeat of the tragedy fifty years ago.”
It’s a day I will never forget.
King Theign the Bane seized the mantle from my mother by butchering our entire household. He knew that most of House Wiolant’s strength was on a campaign with Rainer in the north. Aerin and I survived by hiding in the giant flowerpot in the garden. I can still remember my sister’s voice as she crept out of the pot when the moon was at its highest.
Stay here. Don’t come out for anyone else but me.
Theign’s reign was a short one as Aerin put him and his men to the sword that same night. When she came to retrieve me, the Mark of the Blessed had appeared on my face. My sister crowned me as Queen and the entire Kingdom bowed before me.
I lift my chin to look at Garrett’s jade eyes. “Do you believe I am capable of doing such a thing?”
He opens his mouth to say something but then thinks better of it.
The music comes to a sudden halt.
Garrett holds my gaze for several seconds. A strained, soft smile curves his lips. “I wish my father hadn’t made the challenge.”
I wish the challenge didn’t even exist.I do not wish to kill this beautiful person.
“I have a favor, Queen Rhianelle. When you do come for my life…” he lowers his head to whisper against the shell of my ear. “Make sure the blade is sharp.”
Aelfric isin the company of a beautiful lady in a red velvet gown. I sneak from the festive hall silently, carefully evadinghim. I can’t keep wasting my time here. I need to go back to my room and strategize for the Archon. The irony of planning a fight on the night to celebrate Mera the Goddess of Peace isn’t lost on me.
A prickle of awareness shoots down my spine as I travel the long passage lined with tall windows. My heart stammers the moment I notice a presence hanging from the wall. The figure cackles like a rabid dog as he lands on the floor.
“What do we have here?” he taunts, his voice rasping. The lower half of his face is hidden behind the mask of a monster with serrated teeth. It adds several notches of terror to his creepy presence. I recognize the dark tactical suit instantly.
This male is a Grimsbane. Highly trained assassins from Tiamat known for their brutality and efficient kills.
