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Chapter 10
Cal suppressed a sigh of relief at the thought of a more private locale. Straightening her shoulders, she turned to face Relian and ignored all the people—elves—staring at them. Her foot caught in the strap of her bag, which had been lying forgotten on the ground. Oh, shit. She teetered. Maggie tried to grab her but stumbled over her own possessions.
The ground rushed toward her. She closed her eyes as if to ward off the impact. But just as in the mists, strong arms swept her up and cradled her against a muscular chest. The scent of pine hit her nose. She glanced up and fell into gray eyes dark with emotion. Desire?
Maggie, ever being Maggie, replied, “Good save.”
Kenhel laughed. “I think I’m going to like this human woman.”
As Relian’s gaze held hers mesmerized, all pretense of a nonchalant façade for her slipped away. “Th—thanks.”
Suddenly breaking eye contact, Relian murmured in a strangely distant voice, “You’re most welcome.” When he looked back, he was fully composed. He offered her his arm. After she hesitated, he reached down and lightly tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. “Don’t worry. Your belongings will be brought to your chambers.”
How could he run so hot and cold? She shivered at the memory of his gaze upon her. How could she possibly hide her attraction to him? He upset her balance, literally, in more ways than she previously imagined.
A thought stilled her mind. Chambers? Would she and Maggie be staying that long? Wait, could they even go home? Though the time for those questions would be soon, she put them aside as they set off toward the palace and its private gardens.
While being led by the two males, she and Maggie marveled at the sights around them. As far as she could tell, the elves constructed their buildings with nature as their chief concern. Beauty came in a close second. Plants and trees wove throughout the architecture. Many of the stone-and-timber houses and shops they passed looked airy and open but still provided plenty of shelter against the elements. The color scheme of the structures was lovely too—muted blues and grays merged well with the white stone.
As they neared the main part of the grounds, she and Maggie gasped at the palace that waited ahead for them.
“It’s beautiful,” said Maggie, awe in her tone.
Cal nodded. “It follows the same principles of beauty that the town had.” The palace was like none Cal had seen on Earth. Made of white stone, the structure consisted of several stories, being more sprawling than tall. Covered hallways and open paths led between different sections. The white rock gleamed in the fading sun as mica reflected the rays.
Relian and Kenhel guided them through many hallways and paths until they reached an intricately carved door, which Relian barely nudged before it opened wide. There, beyond the threshold, another path led up to a silvery-white gate. As they neared it, the gate swung open before them, almost as if it had sensed their approach.
“That’s something you don’t see every day.” Cal glanced back at her friend, her wonderment not abating one bit.
“Yeah. Well, except at a superstore, mall, or grocery store, though I don’t think the doors here have an electric sensor. I wish I could make doors do that.”
Cal let out a snort. “You wish.” Actually, she did, too. It might be a useful skill when confronted with locked doors. After all, they knew little of this place. Eriannon might be beautiful, but could everything possibly be as great as it seemed? She’d have to reserve judgment until later.
Kenhel chuckled softly. Apparently, their amazement, not to mention their little repartee, entertained him. Even Relian lightened up a bit, cracking a smile and making her heart flutter. She glanced away quickly.
Seeing her and Maggie look at him, Kenhel explained, “It’s good to see you both relax enough to tease one another. To Relian and me, such enchantment is so commonplace in Eria that we often take it for granted. It’s quite refreshing to have it viewed from a different perspective.”
“How can you ever get used to that?” Maggie gaped at them.
Relian’s contemplative voice broke the silence. “It’s easy, my lady, when you have something akin to forever. Life loses a lot of its glitter over the ages. I realize that sounds dour, but for elves, life can become such.”
“Akin to forever?” Cal squeaked and lurched to a stop, everyone else following suit. Forever as immortal? Relian and his father felt old to her, but she hadn’t considered what that actually meant.
He nodded. Well, she’d definitely have to mull over that one later. An oddly overwhelming need to offer comfort flooded her. Cal squeezed his arm. “Surely, life can’t be as lackluster as it sounds. Family, friends, work, hobbies—these must bring joy.”
“I cannot deny they bring joy, but it’s always tempered by a limitless life.”
Looking askance at him, Kenhel shook his head. “Our lives aren’t necessarily limitless. Though immortal, we can die or seek out death.”
Her heart suffered a surprising pang. Even Kenhel had turned serious when the conversation sailed into apparently uncomfortable waters for elves. Such a life view seemed sad. What would it be like to live forever? Her mind rebelled at the very thought.
Relian gently tugged at her and stepped through the open gate, followed by Kenhel and Maggie. What surrounded them more than lived up to every notion Cal could’ve had. Numerous varieties of plants and trees neither woman recognized dotted the lush garden. It was beautiful, just like everything else they’d seen in this place.
On they walked until they met the king at an elaborate scrollwork table set underneath a white gazebo made of delicate-looking metal and wood. How’d he arrived before them? Maybe there were short cuts. He smiled at her and Maggie, though, and seemed truly welcoming.
As she glanced at the area around her, the surreal quality of it all struck her. On the gazebo’s roof, ivy twined its way through the wooden slats, not leaving one visible gap to her eye. When Relian pulled out a chair and gestured for her to sit, she drew her gaze away from exploring. She attempted to seat herself gracefully but feared it more seemed as if she were collapsing. She wasn’t a coward, though, and would face whatever came next.
Hopefully, her fortitude wouldn’t be tested and ripped to shreds.
