Page 38 of A Kingdom of Shadows

Another elf, who is tall with light-tanned skin that looks ethereal against the sun, takes a step forward. His dark blonde hair falls in soft waves down to his cheekbone, and I glance at how he folds his arms, built in a way that I imagine he could break every bone in my body with just one hand.

A carved crown made of branches and stars atop them dons his chested plate as does for the other warriors surrounding us. "I believe it is not up to us to decide whether to take them back. Isn't that right, princess?" He dips his head toward her, but Arlayna almost looks annoyed by the emphasis of her title.

She tips her chin up and turns her back to us. "Gather the horses. We will ride with them into Olcar."

All the guards nod as the blonde's gaze lingers on the princess, like there is more than a professional boundary between them. Arlayna goes to pass him before she pauses and says, "Aeron."

Aeron bows his head and glances over at us who are drenched from the rain and barely clothed. I look at Darius, not knowing if this is a good thing that we are finally heading to meet the king. But somehow, he lets all that worry inside me disappear as his fingers thread through mine, squeezing my hand in reassurance.

* * *

We make it out of the woods and onto narrow slope pathways. I ride with Darius on a white horse while Aias and Tibith are on another beside us. The Princess is in front of everyone, leading us through vibrant, and tall grass fields. When I look up, there are no grey skies above, and I inhale the fresh air, thinking about how we are finally out of the forest.

As we journey through valleys and stone paths, I keep close to Darius, clutching his middle as I'm overwhelmed by Terranos. I never thought I would be here as I spot the castle lying further up on steep hills, standing out against townhouses and treehouses stacked in certain areas where lakes and docks rest. It's larger... taller than Aurum castle, and so different to Emberwell as I imagined it would be. It's like it's conjured from our dreams and wishes.

Elvens all cheerfully talk to one another, their earthen-color-like clothing bringing peace to mind as bright skies continue looming over us. We travel across stone bridges with vines and trees growing along buttresses as the city folk stares at us—at Arlayna, gossiping and wide-eyed. Some kneel and bow to her as others offer her goods from their carts, yet she only gives them a small smile and declines when another guard leans toward her on his stallion and whispers something.

My curiosity makes me wonder what was said, but we soon near iron gates covered in woven leaves and roses along the bars. Behind it, I can see the giant towers of the castle and other guards standing sentinel with swords sheathed along their backs.

Thick waves of silence roll over us as each guard looks at each other hesitantly once they see what the Princess has brought back with her. Yet with one order for the gates to open, the guards do as they are told, raising a hand toward the other sentry by the mosaic towers.

Heavy gates lift, the iron grinding and rasping. Tibith covers his ears as I glance at him and Aias staring in awe at the castle.

The inside is so grand. If I were to say something, it would echo for eternity as I gaze at the pillars and the glass ceilings emitting the sunlight through the green squared patterns. Between every post, a guard looks upon us, and at the end, where the dais is, I see the king sitting on a throne made of emerald shards with vines traveling toward the podium and wrapping around the arms of the throne.

My gaze lingers on the long ash-blonde hair plunging over King Dusan's shoulders as he leans forward, wearing a crown made of branches and thorns—similar to the crests on the guard's armor. "Arlayna." Annoyance brews deep in his hoarse voice as it drags through the throne walls. It's a startling sound. "What is a woodland elf and two outsiders doing here?"

I try not to let it show how the word outsiders unnerves me.

"Renward is dead," Arlayna says, and the king's brow arches in intrigue. "The mortal took care of that."

Dusan's jade eyes lock onto my neck where the necklace Renward had given me rests. He drops back onto the throne as he says, "Mortal?"

"A dragon shifter and a mortal," Darius replies, low and taut.

"Now that's interesting." Dusan runs a hand full of silver jeweled rings over his chin, his fair skin so smooth and pale compared to his contrasting rich green tunic and cape. "I should congratulate you on surviving the screaming forests and Renward. Quite brave, although if you're looking for a reward, we do not offer one."

"We've not come for a prize." I'm hoping I don't sound too harsh; it is more frustrating than so. "We've come all this way because we request access to the Isle of Elements." Surprise flickers in his gaze as I continue, "We believe it can help us stop a potential... war outbreak."

"A war?" he repeats like I've fed him the most disbelieving sentence in the world.

I nod, taking a shaky breath. "More so a great battle predicted by seers—a battle that can destroy our homes if we are not careful."

"The Isle of Elements can't stop a petty battle; we've had far too many of those in our lifetime to concede one human's cowardice wish to not go and fight."

"But it can help. It possesses power that—"

"That is far too valuable for me to let you enter." The king raises a brow as if to say he tires from this conversation. He signals for Arlayna to escort us, but I'm not finished.

"I know it was Sarilyn that created the forests." As a last desperate plea, I launch a few steps forward, but Darius places his arm over my chest, like a protective barrier when guards seem to reach for their swords. His eyes penetrate mine, calming me before he looks at the king.

Dusan stares at us, narrowing his eyes as he tilts his head. It's a scrutinizing stare that lasts forever as his slim fingers tap against his knee.

I clench my eyes shut and open them as I exhale. "And I know she crafted the Northern blade, powerful enough to end a reign of shifters. We only ask for one chance to help our lands, to help you. We have traveled and survived knowing what we want for our world, wishing to protect it, do not deny us this possibility."

"And the woodland boy?"

"He is only a past victim of Renward's maddened mind."

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