Page 96 of A Serenade To The Elf Queen
Out of the corners of my eyes, I see the two demons being ushered away. Ragnar politely raises a hand to ask a question. No one bothers to tell him anything.
The Valorian’s grip on my arm tightens to the point of pain. I settle on their makeshift rostrum, forcing back the rush of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. The Mhlaryan elves will convey the vision to every soul in Aelfheim. I wonder if the broadcast might reach Kahedin and the people back home in Völundr.
A crowd gathers around us, whispering their disdain and prayers. The familiar atmosphere throws me back in time. Suddenly, I am that helpless girl on the auction stand again, chained by her leg to the floor. Except Rainer will not be here to save me this time.
Their murmurs cease with Eamon’s arrival to the stage. He is clothed in a royal blue and golden robe like this is some grand,joyous occasion. His eyes are the darkest of black as he surveys the turnout with a smile.
“The queen has disgraced us and dishonored the gods,” he declares. I can hear the Aeonians’ arrogance in his voice. “Remember, the punishment is not meant to hurt,” the commissioner announces, holding his arms wide in a grand gesture. “It is a proof that even the highest among us cannot escape the law of the gods.”
The Elders mean to degrade me and put me in my place. Humiliation burns my face as Eamon flaunts the stick meant to be used on me. I quickly go to my happy place.
Collecting rowan berries with Aerin. Sparring with Darstan and Aelfric. Reading books in the Grand Library on a rainy day. Playing hide and seek with Grandma Elli. Helping Blaire reel a giant catfish from the southern river of Astefar.
I go back to last night. When I felt safe and cherished. I hold on to that memory.
I’m glad Garrett and Rainer are absent from the sea of faces. They shouldn’t have to see this. My eyes travel to Aelfric and Darstan at the back of the mass, their features set as stone. They will be here for me no matter what happens. The thought alone brings so much comfort to my heart.
I turn my back and position myself on the wooden platform.
It will be all right.
Eamon tears the back of my dress until the waistline. My throat goes dry and raw over the sound of ripping fabric.
This is not going to be painful.I remind myself repeatedly. But no matter how much I try to convince myself, the wave of shame still crashes to shore. I wish I could dissolve into nothingness in this moment. May the Earth God Uzzur crack the ground and swallow me whole.
Bear with it. Blaire’s life depends on this.
As long as I can save her, I’m willing to do anything. I remove my gaze from my knights, from the confused demons, from my people.
“Are you ready?” the commissioner asks, his mouth twisting into a mocking grin. I glance up at the ancient beings lurking behind those dark, cold eyes. They want me bent and bowed.
This will not shatter me. I will not break.
“Yes.” I squeeze my eyes shut. Every muscle in my body coils, bracing for the impact. I inhale a deep breath.
The cane is taking its sweet time to fall. An unnatural quiet descends around us as I wait for the punishment. But all I hear is a strange gurgling sound.
I tip my head to look up.
Svenn is standing right next to me, tall, dark and deadly. His face is a mask of fury. I know I’m supposed to be afraid. Everything about him incites fear and terror, but I’m not.
“You came back,” I mutter in a daze of wonder. I can’t hide the delight in my voice. The sparkle of relief vanishes the moment I see his hand buried deep in the commissioner’s ribcage.
I cease breathing entirely.
The air simmers with so much violence that no one dares to move. I feel the darkness radiating off him like a god about to unleash his wrath.
Eamon’s jaw nearly hits the ground. “A vampire…that walks in daylight?”
“Stop him now!” The Aeonians commands their soldiers. The Valorians charge straight towards us with their blades raised.
Svenn lets out a wicked laugh, the kind that raises the hairs on my arms. The shadows around us suddenly gain a life of their own. They move like vines of smoke, curling around the soldiers’ throats, lifting them high off the ground.
Some of the knights try to tear through their unnatural bindings, only to have the dark wisps twine around their limb too. Swords and spears rain to the ground as the shadow squeezes the weapon from their hands.
The vampire focuses on Eamon, tilting his head curiously. “I see you. One. Two… five bastards.”
No one knows the number of the ancient ones. No one ever saw their faces, not even in paintings. I only know there are six of them because of the names on the paper last night.
