Page 15 of A Serenade To The Elf Queen
“I’m scared for tomorrow,” I mutter softly, gathering my knees to my chest.
“Ah… the Archon?”
Of course, he knows.
“It was so sudden…I’m at a loss,” I confess, seeking his counsel. No matter how deep my uncle has sunk into his madness, he remains the only person I turn to when things get rough.
His harsh features soften—just barely.
“Tell me what you have in mind,” he says, leaning in his chair. I glimpse a shadow of the warrior who taught Aerin and me how to hunt. “Don’t tell me you’re considering Duel with the young Lord Clayborne?”
“Aelfric offered himself to be my champion should I choose Duel…” my voice trails. I can’t imagine losing my anchor. “But Garrett—Gerailt Clayborne is a great warrior from the Temple of Kvatosh.”
“Exactly.” Rainer nods, his face set in uncompromising lines. “Should your knight be defeated, you’ll lose the crown.”
It’s the least of my worries. But hopefully Rainer gets the idea that I don’t want my friend to face the talented warrior in a combat. I will never forgive myself if anything happens to Aelfric.
“It’s been a long day. You should go to bed,” my uncle says at last with a resigned sigh.
I rise to my feet, and he tightens a rich emerald-black velvet coat around me. A flicker of warmth soothes my heart at the gesture, but it cannot thaw the ice-cold terror in my chest for the upcoming Archon.
“Just leave everything to me,” Rainer says almost tenderly.
“Are you going to be my champion?” I half tease.
One corner of his lips curves. “I may be too old for that, but I still have some strings to pull for you.”
Rainer’s words make me stir with unease. “What do you mean, Uncle? I need to give my answer before tomorrow noon.”
His face darkens like the blackest winter night. “The choice is obvious.”
Damnation.
“W—wait. Do you plan to kill the entire Clayborne’s household?” My voice trembles.
“It has been done to us before,” he says with a chilling edge.
Oh gods. Aelfric was right.
“I will do everything I can to protect you.” His voice is calm and controlled, but I see the terrifying coldness in his eyes.
“But how—” The words catch when I finally sense their presence.
A dozen—no, more. Twenty-Seven Grimsbanes loiter around the compound.
The guild of assassins in Tiamat doesn’t answer easily to anyone. The price of their service is steep. Hiring a single Grimsbane can easily bankrupt any old, rich house in Aelfheim. To have twenty-seven of them at his disposal…
There is no begging and arguing once my uncle has set his mind to something.
“The matter shall be resolved,” he says smoothly. “Sleep well, Niece.”
Chapter 3 Rhianelle
Rather than wait for Rainer to unleash his Grimsbane on the Claybornes tomorrow, I strap on my best leather and cloak and head out into the night towards Elvarstyne keep. Lord Clayborne’s estate is modest in size and easy to navigate.
Please give me the strength to do this.I pray to the Un and the Seventy-Seven who reign the heavens.
Three heavily armed sentries patrol the ground. It seems the Aldarelf has tightened the security tonight. Smart. I pause halfway along the elegant passageway, listening to the sound of their fading footsteps. I’ve spent the better part of the hour memorizing their rotations. If there is a sudden shift or new addition, I will have to risk it.
