Page 122 of Journey to the Elderoak
“I can’t believe you’re here,” she whispered through her tears.
He placed a gnarled green hand on her face and looked at her with his globe-like eyes. “You’re a princess now. Yes yes yes. I’m happy to be here. To see you, my friend.”
Three other hobgoblins came up behind him, looking almost the same save for their different statures. Remy’s brothers. They bowed in unison.
The tallest one spoke as he regarded Ava with awe. “You saved our brother. Yes, you did.”
“We are forever grateful,” a short round one said.
Ava wiped her eyes. “He saved me too.”
“Pardon the interruption, but you’re holding up the line,” Thorne said, leaning down.
Ava rose.
“I’m sorry Your Majesty,” Remy said. “Your sister is special. Yes, she is. I was just so excited to see my friend again. She saved my life, you know. I shall go inside now.” He bowed again and trotted off, his brothers in tow.
“Who was that?” Thorne asked.
“The hobgoblin who was imprisoned with me.” Her eyes flicked to Casimir, who was watching her with admiration.
Thorne gave her hand a squeeze and smiled warmly. But moments later, he stiffened. “The astral royalty is here.”
The rest of their group immediately tensed, Casimir going rigid as they waited for the trio to approach.
Ava’s nervousness returned with a vengeance, her pulseracing. It was obvious who they were by the way they were dressed and the air of self-importance hanging around them. They barely acknowledged Casimir other than a brief nod. Though the one she assumed was Jareth sneered at him and said, “Brother.”
Casimir did not look like his father at all except for his golden eyes and his size. Orion was tall and imposing and instantly made Ava nervous. He had blonde hair cut above his shoulders, sprinkled with silver. Very few wrinkles were visible on his otherwise perfect face and he wore an all-white outfit lined in gold.
“Strange customs you must have in the human world,” he said in a deep voice, looking at her with disgust. “A princess kneeling before a hobgoblin? It seems your time here hasn’t cured your obvious disregard for propriety.”
Raine stilled and Casimir trembled with restraint at the insult but remained quiet. Speechless, she curtsied, trying to hide her shaking hands.
“We respect all citizens of our kingdom, Orion,” Thorne interjected. “Something you could learn about, I think.”
He turned to Thorne, now ignoring Ava. “Your Majesty. I hope the members of your court have learned some manners since the last ball,” he said, then strolled away.
The Queen curtsied, remaining silent, her pale blue gown shimmering with the movement. She regarded Ava with intense violet eyes, bright against her pale complexion and golden hair.
As she finished her greeting, Orion barked at her, “Come, Seraphina. We best get inside.”
Bringing up the last of the trio was Casimir’s half-brother, Jareth. Leaner and shorter than Casimir, he had his mother’s deep purple eyes full of mischief and disdain. Honey blonde hair brushed his shoulders and his flawless alabaster skinshone in the lamplight. He was dressed similarly as his father; all-white trimmed in gold.
He stalked toward Ava with a feline grace and reached for her hand. Not knowing what to do, she let him pull it to his mouth, kissing it sensually as his eyes locked with hers. Her skin crawled at the way his gaze moved lower, stopping on her breasts.
“You may be ignorant but at least you’re a sweet morsel to look at,” he said after he let go. All the men around her tensed at his words. He leaned closer, inches from her face. “I wonder what you taste like,” he whispered as his eyes dipped low.
Nausea brewed in her gut as she took a subtle step backwards. Casimir, Raine and Jorrar’s hands had moved to their swords, ready to defend her at a moment’s notice.
“Stand down,” Thorne said, before turning to Jareth. “One more comment like that to my sister and I’ll have you thrown in the dungeons, Jareth.”
Jareth backed away and raised his hands. “Fine, fine. I was just teasing. All in good fun.” He sauntered away, hands in his pockets.
“Are you okay?” Raine whispered.
“Fine.”
Casimir’s hands clenched into fists at his sides, on the brink of losing control. She raised her eyebrows and gave him a slight smile, trying to assure him she was alright.
