Page 100 of A Serenade To The Elf Queen
“I don’t really understand how the Arawynn bond works but it seems that you need something from my niece,” he mutters, his voice deep, polished, and smooth. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here.”
I ignore the calm fucker.
My gaze is solely trained on Rhianelle. Most of her is hidden beneath the blanket but the half that shows appears frail and weak. The dark circles underneath her eyes have become more prominent. Has she been eating?
Those fucking rats.
Something coasts across her gentle features, almost as if she’s glad that I’m here.
“You’ve complicated things by challenging the Elders. Stay loyal as a servant to our house and you will be rewarded with the freedom you crave.”
I hardly hear the male elf talking.
The world goes quiet the moment Rhianelle’s eyes fall on me. I thought I’d find anger and hatred from the curse or even terror like the rest of these elves, but her eyes are sparkling with light. It’s like she has stolen the sun and hidden it in her eyes.
“We are leaving for the Veil soon,” the male continues in that even tone. “Be here at dawn if you wish to come with us.”
Her grip on the water pitcher tightens. Rhianelle places a hand on her uncle’s arm over the offer.
So, she is afraid after all.
Then why won’t she bend me to my knees? She will be the first vessel who can’t use the Rhunhraefn. If that is the case, then there is hope for me yet to escape this curse. Something dark settles in my chest over the twisted plan forming in my head.
“I accept your invitation.”
Part IV
The Bond
Chapter 30 Rhianelle
Amixture of excitement and fear hits me over Svenn’s presence in front of the Demon Lord’s gate. Ragnar has given him quite the haircut, accentuating his sharp, angular features. That ethereal face appears as if it is crafted with the sole purpose of luring a prey into its trap.
I can’t help but stare at him.
Three Noctrals surround him curiously. It’s so strange they are unafraid of the undead. Perhaps they recognize their long-lost kin in him, sacrificed to make the curse.
A sudden stirring throbs in my chest. It has been bothering me for days. The healers assure me it’s not a physical ailment. I understand now this odd tingling definitely has something to do with Svenn. The moment he returns, all I want to do is to jump and climb into his arms. Sometimes, the need to be near him becomes unbearable and I find myself moving towards him involuntarily.
I quickly remind myself he has injured dozens of my people. Some are still fighting for their lives under Lady Deirdre’s care. This is just the beginning. More chaos and death will follow him.
I’ve seen it all.
The vision of the fallen elven knights in the field of slaughter haunts me with every breath.
Svenn is a Nightwalker who feasts on the blood of the living.
And Rainer invited him to cross the Veil into our realm. My uncle has somehow convinced the council that the vampire now belongs to our house. Our newest servant, prisoner, weapon. Surprisingly, all thirty-three Aldarelfs agreed for him to be welcomed to Aelfheim.
“Shade,” Rainer calls.
The gray-haired Grimsbane appears from the shadows with his usual detached look.
“Make sure your formation is secure to escort the queen,” my uncle demands. The mercenary nods without argument and leaves.
“We have protocols,” Aelfric says, his eyes narrow.
“These are safety measures. The Elders have never been shamed like that,” Rainer insists, giving my knight a pointed look.
