Page 20 of A Serenade To The Elf Queen
He relents at my promise to follow through and releases the blade. My heart caves inside of its chest as I look into his eyes. “Any last words?”
“I hope you will spare him.” He gestures to the Grimsbane sleeping in his bed.
“I make no promises,” I say bitterly. I’m angry at Garrett, at myself, at the Aeonians’ archaic laws, at this stupid situation I’m stuck in.
The commander seems almost regretful. He takes my trembling hand and angles the blade against his neck once again.
“Strike hard and true,” Garrett says calmly. “Go where the song leads you Queen Rhianelle, far beyond the confines of these walls.”
My childish heart wants to tell him;We’ll go together.
But the logical part of me knows it’s impossible. The tradition of the Archon must be upheld.
“Are you truly prepared to give me your life, Garett son of Clayborne?” I raise the blade high, readying for the kill.
“Always, my queen.”
I close my eyes and strike.
Chapter 4 Rhianelle
The howling wind ruffles through my hair ferociously, lashing the tresses against my cheeks. I stare into the distant midnight storm across the field, my breath misting in the frigid air.
This must be another nightmare where I find another cruel death at the hands of the Fae king. I didn’t think I could fall asleep after what I did to Garrett earlier, but here I am.
In this barren land, where the earth is painted red.
I don’t have my fighting leathers or armor with me this time. Just a simple pale white dress. Blaire used to wear this in her vigil to the Goddess Arawynn.
The moonlight illuminates the broken bodies of slaughtered fae soldiers in the field. I try not to look at the horror on their faces. There are only two possible endings to this nightmare. Either I kill Eirik or he kills me. I pick up an abandoned sword on the ground and move past the sea of corpses to find him.
Sometimes, I don’t understand why I fight so hard every time. Eirik is going to get me. He always does.
The devastating trail leads me to a ruined temple. A shadow looms at the entrance, tall and terrifying. I can’t afford to lose my nerve now.
This is it.
I raise the sword high to strike. My step falters halfway before reaching the Fae King.
A small noise leaves the back of my throat.
Eirik’s eyes are empty and devoid of warmth. He is long dead with his own blade embedded in his gut.
My ears twitch over a soft sound coming from behind me. It grows louder, weaving into a beautiful tune. I have never heard such a haunting song before. The thundering in my chest slowly paces back into a regular rhythm. I should be scared of this strange, sad lullaby in the middle of an abandoned temple, but I’m not. Something about it stirs a feeling of comfort in me. The melody continues playing, beckoning me to climb the stairs.
This spellbinding music is clearly a bait by whatever creature is waiting for me at the top. But I’m too curious to know who could have such a strong calling. Sirens from the Isle of Belestis are long extinct. At least I can take comfort in the fact that I won’t be turned into a shriveled husk.
At the very center of the open rooftop lies a dais and at its apex sits a throne. A male lounges on the seat with his head propped on a fist. My breath catches at the mere sight of him.
I behold the chiseled jaw, the unbound raven black hair, the pale shade of his skin. He looks as if he is crafted from the night itself. There are no words for this kind of beauty. I remain transfixed by him, studying the broad shoulders and every inch of his sharp features.
That sculpted physique is honed and made for battle. I know with absolute certainty that he is the one responsible for the chaos and massacre of the fae army below. A chill crawls down my spine at the thought. I wonder if he is one of the commanders in our battalion. Perhaps he’s one of the gifted knights of Völundr or one of the suitors my uncle has lined up for me.
This is the second time we have found each other.
Lady Deirdre once told me,‘Twice is never a coincidence’.
Perhaps I am destined to meet this person. Everything about him is pulling me in. I remember Garrett’s word from earlier.
