Page 2 of A Serenade To The Elf Queen
He closes his eyes, relishing in the screams of terror filtering through the night and the hell he unleashed upon my kingdom. His bloodthirsty creatures continue shredding the buildings into rubble, snatching up my people with their talons and gobbling them whole.
Like an eagle, Eirik’s eyes focus on me through the chaos.
No.
Flashes of the horrors he will inflict on me flood into my mind. I can’t let him catch me. I sprint as fast as I can, fighting against snapping teeth, fangs, and claws.
The Nythe’s roar shudders the realm, announcing its prey.
The sea of monsters parts as I storm my way down the streets. I race pass the ruins of the Atlas wall straight for the tree line. If I can lose him among the towering oaks, then there’s hope for me yet.
“Mother! Father! Rainer!” I cry out for my family.
The monstrous wyvern is nearly upon me. My legs grow heavier with each stride, but I have to keep going.
“Aerin!” I scream for my warrior sister to rescue me.
They’re closing in fast. I can feel the creature’s hot breath on my skin.
“Aelfric! Darstan!” I call for my knights.
No one comes for me. Nothing can save me from him.
Another rising snarl resounds as the wyvern sails closer, its leathery massive wings beating and gliding to land. The deadly gust of wind almost topples me off my feet.
There’s no running from him now.
Eirik dismounts from his beast gracefully. Everything about him is disgustingly majestic, from his armor to the fine obsidian cape that flows behind him.
“Rhianelle Wiolant.” His voice is both lovely and vicious at the same time.
I force myself to meet his gaze. He pulls his heavy sword from the scabbard on his back. The movement is smooth, easy, and lethal. I know I have no chance of winning against such a formidable opponent. Still the stubborn part in me raises my blade in defiance.
“Let’s finish this,” I say, trying to conceal the tremble in my voice. I hold my sword steady, keeping it pointed at him.
Eirik’s power surges, rallying to attack. He bares his teeth with a snarl as he launches himself at me. I parry his heavy hits blow by blow. Each impact of his swings makes my hands go numb. Weariness is slowly sinking in. Either he’s too strong orI am too weak. My long sword shatters at the force of that final strike.
He slams his fist directly into my gut. I taste bile and blood in my mouth as I stumble to the ground. I crawl away from him desperately, gritting my teeth.
“Not so fast, elven rat,” he hisses low. A kick lands to my chest. A harder one on my shin, completely shattering my bone. I try to rise, but Eirik slams his blade to pin my cloak to the ground.
Tears sting my eyes, not from the pain but the humiliation. I am a warrior of Völundr. The least I can do is die without a cowardly wound on my back. I turn around slowly to face him.
He tilts my chin up with the tip of his boot. The steel bites coldly against my skin. I close my eyes, ready to welcome his final strike.
“Beg for your life, wench,” the Fae King demands.
I have no luck for an easy escape to the afterlife. Eirik plans to play and drag out my suffering. My breath hitches as I look into his cold, soulless eyes. There’s not a drop of mercy in his rotten heart.
“Do it.” The smile on his impossibly beautiful face turns cruel. “Just like your sister did before I ripped her head off.”
Lies.
Aerin would never falter and cower before him.
But I may.
I’m so tired and scared. Every single muscle and bone in my body hurts. I don’t want to suffer a painful death. I shut my eyes and open my mouth. Except the words that come out are not a plea for my pathetic life.
