AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“They’re here, Highnesses,” Alistair announced with a derisive sniff.
“Let them in then.” I shook my head. “Really, old man, why do you think we are here?”
Alistair grumbled under his breath, words aboutauthorityandproprietyand thequeen’s sweeter voice. If only the old steward could see the way his sweet queen was biting down on her lip to keep from grinning.
Stormbringer and Tait were the first to step inside. Two elven followed, surrounded by palace guards, blocking any chance of escape.
Wrapped around the necks of the elven were dainty leaves. Unassuming as they were, dark lamna vines were potent, used for sea fae imprisoned for petty crimes across the Ever. An herb used to dull magic in the veins.
The woman, Skadi, was seated on a velvet chair, clad in a pale rose gown, her hair wrapped around her head, with curls down the back of her neck. No boots, not even satin slippers adorned her feet.
The man claimed a matching seat at her side, dressed in what looked like battle leathers and black trousers.
Narza took two nights unraveling the spell cast keeping the man in sleep. He was an elder, grooves in his skin and long silver hair the hint to his age. Elder or not, he was warrior strong, imposing, and carried himself with a touch of arrogance.
I took hold of Livia’s hand and slumped back in my throne. “So, you wish us to believe you are a king?”
The man straightened his shoulders. “Eldirard Joraff Naganeen, King of the Dokkalfar, or as you know from my granddaughter—shadow elven.”
“And you are kin to my dead brother?”
Eldirard sniffed. “Distantly. The traitor’s mother was of the Ljosalfar clan, the light elven, and was niece to my grandnephew, the king. As I said, distantly. I will never claim such a name in my kin—not after discovering what he did to his own blood.”
“You mean the murder of his mother?”
“Yes, sea king.” Eldirard frowned. “Elven folk find power in kinship bonds, to spill the blood of your folk, of the one who gave you life, it stains the soul. It stains the line, and I will never claim such a stain.”
Curious. I tapped the arm of the chair. “What of the other? This prince?”
“Prince Arion felt much more kinship to your traitor than I. Spoiled boy.”
“We have not found him since the battle ended.”
“I would imagine he has returned to his father’s court.” The elven’s nose wrinkled like he’d tasted something fetid. “Shamed, most likely. To lose the battle is a disgrace for a rising king. When I inform King Gerard of his son’s antics, it will be some time before Arion claims any throne.”
There was still too much I did not understand about elven culture and customs to feel entirely settled about Arion’s departure.
“The Lady of Witches tells us you were placed in a sort of stasis sleep. A dark spell. How is it you fell under it?”
“Arion,” said Eldirard. “He feels rather entitled to Natthaven.”
“Why would he feel entitled to your land?” Livia asked.
“Well, unfortunately, he is.” Eldirard shifted. “Though, I hope Gerard has sense to rethink certain entitlements.”
Livia shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“I have no blood heirs for Natthaven.” Eldirard faced Skadi, a gentle, apologetic kind of smile on his face. “Arion is the closest blood kin and will inherit both clans. One ruler for both clans has not been done for nearly seven hundred turns. He’s quite proud of it and clearly impatient for me to die.”
“He attacked you?”
“Deceived is more like it. I am an old fool who did not even suspect it.” Eldirard sighed. “Like kinship bonds, our affinities crave arrangements, deals, alliances. It is how the elven folk have lived so long. Arion sent word to me not even two months ago, stating he desired to understand the Dokkalfar. If he was to one day be their king, he wished only to join us on our shores and build strong alliances.”
“It was deception,” Skadi said, unbothered and disinterested. “No need to blame yourself.”
Eldirard gave her a look of pity but patted the top of her hand. “Being the proud fool I am, I agreed, impressed he would take such initiative, and I was a little pleased to boast about my lands. He remained in my hospitality for days, playing the decent prince,befriending our guards. Little did I know, he was placing witch’s spell casts and potent blood bindings around my own men.”
The king clenched his fist over his knee, glaring at the tiles for a time before I cleared my throat. “Go on.”
