Page 131 of A Serenade To The Elf Queen
I’m not some beautiful princess in a story who gets her happily ever after. I’m the villain. I must be, at least to Svenn.
I take another look at my captive standing over the courtyard, his tall, intimidating form silhouetted against the moonlight. A vampire, the first of his kind. It’s so obvious he doesn’t belong here in our world. Yet my heart keeps telling me he is right where he’s meant to be.
With me.
Chapter 38 Svenn
Red was not lying when he said the land beyond the veil is no fairytale. There is no remarkable sight that was different from what I’ve seen in the human world. The town we passed by was quiet and nearly empty. Even this castle itself looks like it has seen too many attempted sieges.
My new prison is located on the highest section of this ivory tower. Strategic to protect the Elven Queen and to keep me contained.
No doubt it’s Eyepatch’s idea.
He made it certain that we’re given two separate rooms, in separate wings. The very notion of keeping me here is laughable. I remain unimpressed with the queen’s choice of knights and the lack of security.
The sky roars and rages with the hint of an upcoming storm. I stare out the window and think of Rhianelle.
It’s just a little worm.
If the curse infesting the armor is a maggot, then Rhunhraefn is a serpent. And yet the girl is holding on, resisting Lilith’s temptation. No one has ever been strong enough to do it.
Her immunity is baffling.
The only plausible explanation I can think of is that the damn thing has weakened over time. Curses usually grow stronger after years of hibernation. Perhaps the opposite has happened.
My mind wanders back to the night Rhianelle released me from my prison. The weight of my chains was too heavy, the shadows were pulling me back to my desolation. Despite the dangers and her fear, she stayed with me.
I didn’t understand the Elven language then. But the sweet girl was telling me,“I’m not leaving you.”
Rhianelle Wiolant is kind. A good person through and through.
I wonder how long it would take for the curse to corrupt her even in its enfeebled state. A week? A month? Perhaps a year? When it gathers enough strength, the Rhunhraefn will consume the Elven Queen. My heart sinks at the very thought.
If only Rhianelle Wiolant didn’t stumble into my prison, she could have led her beautiful life peacefully. Now she is trapped in this as much as I am. In a way, I have stolen and condemned her life.
Damn it all.
I am filled with the sudden need to save her from this fate. I pace the room like a lion in its pen. A human trait that has never washed out despite thousands of years. She’s been gone for too long. What if in all that time she has fallen for the curse?
The rusty lock behind me clicks.
Maybe it will be Lilith who opens the door. My body goes rigid the moment she enters the room.
“Svenn.” She greets me with a small uncertain smile. The coiled tension in my muscles eases at the sight of it. Her tiny figure is hunched like she’s carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. I know I added to some of that burden.
“Are you comfortable here? Your room is smaller than mine,” she says, her eyes sweeping my chamber.
She’s a terrible jailer.
“The room is fine. Is everything all right?” I ask her.
She merely nods at my question. “You said you wanted to talk.”
“It can wait,” I say. Whatever she’s been through for the past few days is clearly wearing her down.
“I’m going to take a bath.” Her cheeks flush the moment she announces that. “I’ll come again and see you afterward.”
She leaves but her scent lingers in the air like a wicked calling. A visceral need rages, begging for me to follow it. I can hardly fight the bond, I’m not even sure I want to.
