Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 119158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“King Beldroth and Queen Sumina would like to speak with you,” the guard stated as he swung open the door. He even offered a bow that had me glancing over at Nylian. The elf flashed a tiny smirk my way and preceded me out of the cell. This was an interesting change in tone from “We’re going to lock you up and kill your human.”
The walk from the dungeon to where the royals were waiting for us was long and twisting, but we got to see some amazing sights along the way. The first floor we reached was better than the dungeons, but not by a lot, since this looked like the place where all the servants lived and worked, away from the view of the royal family. Not a single rug or painting adorned the first floor to break the austere monotony. Lighting was sparse, creating an ominous air filled with deep shadows from which eyes could be watching.
However, the next few floors we passed through were brighter. Plain stone turned to endless acres of smooth marble of every color. Furniture was everywhere, each piece seeming more delicate and ornate than the last. Gold and gems dripped from every knickknack and luxurious furs covered floors and were draped over chairs. There was no missing that this was a royal residence.
While it was jaw-dropping, there was something that left me feeling like I was walking through an opulent mausoleum. There was a cold austerity to it all, as if nothing living existed in this space. It was a showroom for all the kingdom’s rich possessions.
I was growing winded when the guard who’d accompanied us pushed open a set of double doors, leading us into a bright room of white marble and enormous two-story windows that faced the east, welcoming in piercingly bright morning sunlight. Blinking fiercely, I held up a hand to shade my eyes as they attempted to adjust.
Around the room were at least a dozen servants in matching white uniforms, waiting to fulfill the tiniest command. They all stood close to a medium-sized round table that had to be groaning under the enormous weight of food and silverware.
With a loud clap that made me and about every servant in the room jump, a dark-haired elf with a crown leaped to his feet. He was the first elf I’d encountered who wasn’t perfectly slender. There was considerable meat to his bones. He was nowhere near fat, but plush like a human. It was a little unsettling after seeing so many skinny elves.
“Prince Xeran Elrich, you naughty boy!” the king chastised as he left his breakfast to approach them. “Sneaking into my kingdom on an Edros ferry.”
Nylian dipped into a medium bow, his right hand to his chest, and I mimicked him. “I beg the forgiveness of you and her elegance, Queen Sumina, for my intrusion into your home.” I watched out of the corner of my eye as the king grabbed Nylian by both shoulders and urged him to straighten. For a second, I hesitated and then stood as well. So far, it appeared as if no one had noticed me, and I hoped it stayed that way for as long as possible.
“Nonsense. You only needed to send a letter ahead of you,” King Beldroth said, keeping in his playful, jovial tone.
“Of course we would welcome you within our border. It’s natural that you would seek sanctuary with your kin rather than be trapped with the humans,” Queen Sumina chimed in. Her voice was considerably less friendly and far colder than her husband’s. It was a struggle to not glance over at her when she spoke, but I was afraid of meeting her gaze. Something about the disdain that filled her voice at the mention of humans made it seem like a terrible idea.
“Exactly. You should be with other elves.” The king patted his shoulders a few times, his smile broad and simple. “Shame about that matter with your brother. We don’t believe it, of course. Your father is overlooking something obvious. We’re sure of it. Besides, even if you killed your brother, what’s the matter with that?” Beldroth asked with an absent wave of one hand. “That’s why the king maintains a harem.”
“Any struggles between the children ensures that the strongest rises to the throne,” Sumina finished for him with a chilling smirk.
One of Nylian’s hands balled into a fist and it took all of my self-control not to reach out and take that hand in my own. Blowing off Orian’s death as the natural order of things was not how you got on Nylian’s good side.
“I thank you for your wisdom,” Nylian replied, somehow keeping his disgust and anger from his voice.
“But look at this!” The king turned to me and I started, my eyes darting to Nylian and then to the king. This was what I didn’t want. “You’ve gotten yourself a human for a pet. We have dozens as servants around the palace, not that we allow them on the upper floors where they can be seen.”