Page 95 of A Serenade To The Elf Queen
“Did he hurt you?” The tone in Kheirall’s voice swiftly changes.
“He saw my slave brand and went easy on me,” Ragnar says, lifting his sleeve to show the faded scar on his forearm. A demon could have healed that burn easily. This marking must have been done during the time he was human.
“I guess it’s inappropriate to call him a Nightwalker now.” Ragnar stares into the woods before turning to me. “I was worried something had happened to you.”
His concern for me is heartwarming.
One of Eamon’s Valorians interrupts me before I can reply to him.
“We are ready for you, Your Highness. Your judgement awaits.”
Chapter 27 Svenn
Bile burns at the back of my throat as I stare at the new curse bearer. A gentle woman of noble birth, Queen of the Elves and the ruler of Aelfheim.
Rhianelle Wiolant.
A simple crown made of leaves weaves through her cloud of silver hair. There is almost an ethereal quality to her as she prances around the dark forest in her flowing cerulean dress. I should just get away from here. Instead, I’m watching her from behind the trees like a fucking creep. She’s so beautiful it’s almost hard to look at her. But it’s harder to look away.
The demon is pretending to be hurt so she will heal him. I want to cleave his head from his body. I tear my eyes from them long enough to focus on the mark on my hand.
Kill the Fae King.
The elvish words are woven with my own silly wish. The curse bearer promised she would hold her end of the bargain.
Such a blatant lie.
Does she have any idea of the absolute control she holds over me?
This elven bond is meaningless now that Rhianelle can command me to do whatever she bids. Beneath that satin dress, inked on her smooth skin, lies my damnation.
The Rhunhraefn.
A curse to create the perfect monster. For two hundred years, we were tied to Lilith and her selected heirs. One hundred thirteen Curse Bearers. All of them caved to her whispers once they tasted power. The Rhunhraefn taints everything it touches.
I am her tool now, a weapon at her disposal.
Rhianelle could command me to hunt her enemy, and I would travelled to Avalon without question. I am entirely subservient to her whims and desires.
I wonder what creative ways this vessel will use to break me. It’s only a matter of time before she asks me to slit my own throat, gouge my eyes out or pull my teeth one by one.
Maybe she’ll use her favorite method. Burning me at the stake.
But Rhianelle tried to heal me earlier. I take another glance at the girl. Air ceases its flow into my lungs for several seconds. The softness in her lilac eyes catches me off guard. It has to be a deception or some sort of trick. A front to look innocent to make me believe that the female I laid with last night is still there.
I’m not going to fall for her act. Some of the curse bearers enjoyed messing with our heads. They taunted us by giving hope that they were different.
It’s all a game to them.
Well played, witch.
I was a fool once. Never again.
Chapter 28 Rhianelle
“What is this?” Kheirall asks.
“Elven business. Do not interfere.” My armed escort blocks him from coming nearer.
