ELORA
I snarl as I stared down Alpha Rasmus’ wife feeling stronger than I’d ever been. Whatever this remedy was that Gael had given me had not just helped with the pain but had somehow imbued me with more power than I’d had.
I swiped my tongue on my snout still feeling the blood of that bastard on me. His death had been quicker than what he deserved but I was satisfied he’d no longer have the power to hurt me or my siblings again.
His wife snarled at me as if to say: I’ll kill you for murdering my husband. But even then I could see the fear in her eyes.
I felt the king’s gaze on me but I didn’t want to be distracted now.
I’d been denied my revenge long enough.
I spied Gael out of the corner of my eye, his look one of begging like he still wanted me to come with him.
I felt sorry for the broken boy but my mind had been made up long ago and if he was wise he’d make sure the king didn’t see him. Even though I understand that he didn’t have much of a choice, I knew the king wouldn’t be as understanding as me.
The Luna struck but not quick enough, I dodged her and pounced on her, raking my claws down her side.
Her screech rents the air and she transformed back, crawling away from me.
I’d have savored killing her but that wouldn’t make me any different from them who preyed on the weak.
I lunged and grabbed at one of the elves that were crowding in on the King, flinging him away before grabbing another one.
Their numbers had dwindled greatly but they were still fighting.
Couldn’t they see that they’d be exterminated soon?
As if reading my mind, the king let out a roar that shook the foundations of the castle causing a cease-fire.
“Yaris!” He bellowed.
The elder elf appeared out of one of the alcoves like he’d never left, still wearing an air of nonchalance about him like he wasn’t losing his war.
“I do not want to be responsible for the extermination of a race.” The king started looking at the wounded and dead around him. “Tell your men to stand down and I will forget this treasonous plot today. I see no reason for us to continue this centuries-long battle.”
The elf laughed mockingly.
“You should just come out and say you’re afraid of war, the boy king.” He laughed. “You’re just as weak as the other king’s before you.”
I snarled pouncing in front of him but stood down when the king rubbed my sides.
“Stand down, Elora.” He laughed and patted me. “Look around and see who should be afraid. You’ve had centuries to plan but in mere hours, I decimated your army. I am no king that takes pride in killing women and innocents. Call the cease-fire now while I’m still being gracious.”
The elves looked uneasily among themselves, some even taking steps backward.
“Don’t be cowards!” Kano yelled coming forward with his sword drawn, eyes brimming with malice. “We are the superior race! Do you want to live at the mercy of these dogs?”
“You’re not even a full elf so you have no stake here.” One of the elves replied throwing down his sword.
Unrest rose up in their ranks as most of the soldiers dropped their weapons while others turned on their kind.
In the distraction, Kano yelled and ran forward, aiming to stab the king with his sword.
His death was quick but the preciseness and brutality of it had it playing as if in slow motion in their minds’ eyes.
Rome had transformed into his beast just as the sword reached his midriff, grabbing Kano’s head and splitting him in two.
Someone screamed while another emptied their guts.
He quirked his brow as if to say: Anyone else.
Yaris dropped to his knees, his mask of nonchalance dropping at the death of his son.
He let out a cry that had his people forgetting their differences.
“You get your wish today, the boy king.” He spat. “But I promise you. Vengeance will be mine.”
“Not for another decade.” A dark-skinned man standing beside Skye muttered.
The elves slunk back, some going to help their leader up, others picking up their wounded.
Even though I worried we were only pushing this war even further, there was really no need to beat them when they were already down.
I transformed back, grabbing the linen sheet that had lined the platform I’d been placed on to cover myself.
The king’s soldiers went to work checking their wounded and making preparations to return to Hanareum.
I was confused about what to do.
I wanted to run to the king but at the same time, I knew he’d need to meet with his generals to get the full report.
Unfortunately, I didn’t see any familiar faces so I just hung back.
I spied the king talking to Skye and the dark-skinned man from earlier and tried but failed not to stare. I couldn’t forget how distraught he’d been when he saw me in that dungeon as he had actually cared for me. Now standing dressed in a dark tunic and robes even with blood marring him, he looked every bit the fearsome king I knew him to be.
Could he really care for me the way I do him?
And his kiss earlier…
No Elora! I scolded myself.
I shouldn’t be thinking such things at a time like this.
The king caught my gaze and stopped speaking for a moment causing Skye’s and the other man’s faces to turn to me too.
I reddened under his scrutiny and scurried off before a female soldier came to meet me.
“Your highness?” She called bowing.
I blushed, still unused to the respect accorded me as the King’s mistress.
“Please call me, Elora,” I told her.
She bowed again, handing a pair of riding clothes.
“The king asks that you get dressed. We’re to leave for Hanerum soon.”
“Oh. Alright.”
She escorted me to one of the rooms so I could dress, helping me clean up and dress as quickly as possible. By the time we returned, most of the party was already mounted. I was led to a carriage and although I was worried about what would happen now that the truth about my family was out, I fell asleep with the gentle lulling of the carriage.
Everything would take care of itself once we were home.