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Chapter 35: A Little Darkness
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The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 36: The Blood-letting
For the first time that night, Violet managed to fade into the background, despite still being in front of the entire great hall. The nobles were getting eager for the night's next event—something Curzon hadn't mentioned to Violet—and no longer required her.The Blood King addressed the room, his voice booming. "Monarchs and nobles, let the Blood-letting begin! The moment you've been waiting all month for! Here are my gifts for your devoted service."The doors to the great hall opened again and two rows of elves walked in single file, each one bearing a different noble family's crest on the right side of their necks. Several more had the wolf of Ipsit stamped on their flesh. All marched to Curzon's red quartz throne.He looked them over, threading through the ranks with an exacting eye. Curzon tipped up the chin of one elf then pushed up the sleeve of another. Violet realized he was checking their veins. Dread filled her."My reserves supply the best as always!" Curzon declared. "Let u
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 37: These Desperate Moments
The moon disappeared behind walls of thunderclouds. Wind tore through the capital, clawing at The Bastion's stone walls. But it couldn't reach beyond. Ipsit was still the seat of Curzon's power and the Storm King had no jurisdiction there. "I have to go to him," Violet whispered, hanging out her window.Eden was somewhere inside that storm. They'd shared magic enough times now that his presence cried out for hers. She needed to be near him."Hurry!" Hestia called from the servant's door. "They're going to notice you're missing soon."Her voice barely registered—Violet was awash with relief. If Eden was here that meant everything would be fine. He would know what to do to stop Curzon.Hestia left the shadows and took Violet by the arm. "Mistress, are you alright?"Violet's focus finally left the sky. "Go back to the great hall, Hestia, keep Olivia safe. We're all going to get out of this nightmare tonight."Hestia glanced out the window. "A storm?" she muttered. "What's going on? How a
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 38: Heart Of The Maze
Violet ran to him. He scooped her up, twirling Violet before setting her down. He nestled his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply."I missed you," he said.She pulled away just enough to meet his gaze, hungering for the safety he always gave. "I can't believe you're really here. I've been so worried about you. I saw you fall at Toreva, then the dead carried me off and I—"He pressed a finger against my lips. "I'm fine, Violet. I wanted to come after you right away but Curzon has been keeping us busy, swarming every border passage with the dead. This is the first time I've been able to make it across.""It's the Blood-letting," Violet replied. "He's called all his nobles here to feed.""I don't care why," he said, lifting her off the ground again, letting her fur robe drop on the path, "I just needed to get you back."She laughed as he planted tickling kisses along her jaw and ear. When he returned her to the earth, she noticed the structure behind him."What is this?" she
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 39: Little For The Imagination
The Bastion received Violet once more. As the gate closed and the chill air took hold of her, she stepped onto the white carpet—now speckled with blood—trying to clear her head.She needed to think.But Eden's hands felt like they were still on her, his mouth still tasting every inch of her skin, his body overtaking hers. Her cheeks burned. She craved him all over. Violet turned up the collar of her fur robe, trying to hide away in its softness, but he was there too, stroking her cheek, telling her how beautiful she was. Without thinking, her fingers went to the love-bites on her chest now covered by silk instead of the Storm King's tongue.She had always thought of need as a great cavity in a person's soul—it had scared her to need someone, especially when her parents cast her off. But this kind of need filled Violet to overflowing, sending thrills of delight through her when she thought of how Eden shared her desires.The guards brought her to the great hall. The doors opened. Madnes
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 40: A Better Offer
Violet and Curzon stared each other down. Blades crossed, arrows pierced flesh, an entire battle took place in the valleys of their silence. Violet realized the Blood King had been right about one thing: he taught her new things about her powers. But in his desire to chain her to himself, he had set her free.Violet reached for the ring, but pushed past, gripping Curzon's forearm instead. Her warm touch embraced his chilled skin. Death bubbled to the surface; spirits gnawed at their back of both their minds. He might have more than enough power to defeat the Monarchs but she saw the pinnacles her powers could take Curzon to.So did he.His blue eyes rounded, drinking in the potential."Admit it," Violet whispered, "you're nothing without me.""I'm going to give you one more chance to reconsider," Curzon replied, rage clawing at his features, retracting from her clutch. "I'd prefer a beautiful wife, but I'll settle for whatever you are after my dead are through with you.""I'm not one o
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 41: New Land, New Leader
It took Violet more than a full day to get across Ipsit to its border with Basharr. As dawn rose over the pass to Toreva, with smoke still hanging in the air, she rode her horse into her homeland. Hestia and Olivia were with her. They'd found her outside the gates of The Bastion, brought her to the stables, and their friend had given them three horses. Fatigued by the war and rejected by Curzon, the animals were just as despondent as Violet.Neither the dead nor the living had hindered their progress after that. The dead were too occupied with Curzon's orders and the living were too busy fleeing.Violet let the maids guide her, needing to be alone with her thoughts and tears. They rested during the afternoon then kept going, riding through the night.Violet could hardly believe it'd only been five days since she'd last been at Toreva. The town smoldered but the dead ones had moved on. No doubt to other towns, perhaps even the capital. She prayed Eloy might be spared, her family safe, b
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 42: Fighting On All Fronts
Toreva had become the headquarters for what remained of Basharr's fighting force. The western edge of the plundered town swelled with tents, horses, and soldiers all under Captain Augustus' command. Despite the devastation, it was still the easiest pass between Ipsit and Basharr and had to be defended. Florian brought Violet, Hestia, and Olivia to Augustus."He's the senior officer," Florian explained. "You've convinced my men, but we can't abandon Augustus. If he gives his permission, then we'll follow you into Ipsit.""I understand," Violet replied, searching Florian's steady gaze. "It doesn't seem I've convinced you, though."He shook his head and sighed. "I said I would go with you. Let that be enough."Florian moved to guide her up the hill to Augustus' tent but Violet stopped him, done with the game they kept playing with each other. "You're angry with me. Why won't you just say it?""How can I be mad? We don't owe each other anything," he answered."I'm aware of that," she said,
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 43: Meet The Shifter
Violet tipped two of her arrows into the fire burning out at her feet. "You four keep them distracted," she commanded the soldiers across the bridge. She turned to Hestia, Olivia, and Sky, "You three with me."The eight attacked. Violet launched her arrows at Rabiah. They turned to ash when they got close to the Queen. The four soldiers went down with terror at Caiphas' hand, writhing on the bridge.Dalyla's hands were covered in familiar cobalt powder with her gaze riveted to Violet."Don't let her touch you!" Violet declared."The powder will turn you manic," Sky said before Violet could.The boy picked two small knives from his waist and flung them at the queens. Rabiah melted the blades with a blast. Hestia and Olivia charged the queens, their daggers flashing.Sky was about to join when Violet pulled him back. She was about to ask how he knew about the powder but her hand brushed the bare skin of his collarbone and Violet felt magic rumbling beneath the surface. Something was diff
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