Page 51 of Awakening the Dark Throne
I turned around, reaching for a broomstick near the corner. I swung it at the dark figure, but he caught the broom with ease, pulling my body into his with a single jerking motion. In the flicker of candlelight, I saw swirling silver eyes peering back at me with a familiar devious smile. I relaxed, pulling away from him.
“Dammit Erendrial, what do you want, and why in the hell are you in a linen closet?”
He started laughing, stepping into the light. “Well, I am glad to see you are no longer trembling at the thought of being alone with me. I think we’ve made excellent progress in the past week.”
“I still find you terrifying as hell, but I am too tired to care at this point.” I turned back, reaching for the linens I needed.
“Your information was good. We could use that gift of yours back in the dark court. Interested in making a move?” he said, closing in behind me.
I turned around slowly. I hadn’t even thought that he would want to use me for his own court. Crap, I had to get better at this if I was going to survive. If I did go with him, I would have access to Lily. But how would we get out? There had to be an easier way.
“Let’s not start a war between the light and dark over little old me,” I said.
He smiled, his eyes roaming over my face as if searching for something, but I didn’t know what. “Don’t worry, I just wanted to formally say thank you, and goodbye. I expect you’ll still be under Gaelin during our send-off tomorrow morning.”
I rolled my eyes and grunted at the thought.
“What? Gaelin not satisfying you properly?”
“Don’t start, Erendrial,” I said as he laughed at me. “Gods, why do you do that?”
“What?”
“You’re constantly getting under my skin. Is it some type of manipulative maneuver or something? Are you trying to feel me out for weaknesses, or test my restraint?”
He shrugged. “Maybe. Mostly I enjoy watching the steam come out of your ears. You’re very easy to unravel. Probably should work on that too. I can make you a list of all your downfalls before I leave. Call it a thank you.”
I shook my head, hiding a smile.
“Can I ask you a question, and you answer me truthfully?” I asked.
“You can ask. The answer depends on the question.”
I paused, holding the towels close to my chest. “Have you used that pheromone manipulation on me before? Have you taken away some part of my memory that I'll never be able to get back?”
He looked to the wall for a moment, then back at me. “No, Genevieve, I have never used my powers on you. All your memories are intact, I promise,” he said softly.
“Your promises can’t be trusted,” I pointed out.
He laughed, moving closer towards me. I backed up until my body was against the shelf. He reached out slowly to my face, trailing his fingers against my cheek. Even though I knew he was a dark alfar, there was something warm and comforting about his touch.
He breathed out slowly and the scent of warm whisky and oranges filled the air. My body relaxed so much that my arms let go of the linens and my legs collapsed underneath me. He caught me, bracing my body against his as he pulled me back up to a standing position. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. He smiled at me, leaning into my ear.
“That was only a remnant of what my power feels like. But don’t worry, half-breed...you will never experience it again,” he said softly, his lips brushing against my earlobe. He pulled away and took another look at me before reaching for the door. “May I give you some unsolicited advice?”
“If I say no, would it matter?” I replied, still dazed by his power.
He chuckled. “The greatest power comes from surviving the darkest of nights... Goodbye, Genevieve.”
As the door shut, I fell to the floor from the effects of his power. My whole body lit up. His scent was still in my nostrils, and I swore I could still feel his fingers on my face. The sensation was eerie, yet also comforting in a way. I shook off the feeling, reminding myself that he was the enemy. Or at least Gaelin’s enemy. He served a purpose, but he was not to be trusted by any means.
Chapter 19
Iwoke early the next morning, unable to stay in bed a minute longer. Gaelin was still sound asleep next to me, exhausted from the past few days. I dressed quietly, making sure not to wake him, and headed down to the castle entrance. Crowds of people were standing back against the walls awaiting the dark alfar’s departure.
I fell in line with the rest of the humans, trying to blend in. A few moments passed before Erendrial and the other dark alfar exited the castle into the plaza. He took in a deep breath and turned his head slowly in my direction as if he could smell me. He nodded at me without a smile and continued towards the royals for his send-off. They bowed to one another politely.
The royals walked casually back to the castle’s front doors as the dark alfar stood in the clearing. They all raised some type of whistle to their mouths, creating a series of different loud pitches. Together, they created an alluring symphony of echoes. Shrieks roared high in the sky, and we all turned our eyes up. Ragamor appeared in the clouds, circling the castle like a swarm of locusts.
