Dragon Sword (The Dragon Lord’s Bride #2)

Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The king’s demeanor seemed to change. His proud posture sunk into the chair as a sigh escaped his lips. “One year ago a great shadow appeared in the woods. The darkness infected the animals and changed them into what you witnessed: monsters of magic and demons controlled by some unknown fiend.”

Will lifted an eyebrow. “You haven’t been able to find the culprit after a year?”

King Arvo shook his head. “The shadows creep everywhere and the animals run wild. How can one follow such an unwieldy path as a beast without sense?”

“Has anyone been injured by these creatures?” Will questioned him.

The king nodded at the general. “Only General Tervo’s men have been harmed, and thankfully none of the injuries were serious.” The general bowed his head and closed his eyes. Something about his silent response made my heart twinge.

“Why have you not warned anyone about these animals?” Alisa spoke up as she glared at her sire. “Someone could have been killed because you refused to tell them the truth!”

Arvo cast a sharp look at his subject. “I thought it best not to cause a panic. We have so little information to provide my subjects that the only response would be panic. Some of the citizens may have even tried to escape the shadow by traveling through the woods and thus become a victim of the darkness.”

Will studied the king with a curious look in his eyes. “Have you any proof that the shadows attack anything other than animals?”

Arvo stiffened and pursed his lips. “There have been. . .incidents.”

“What incidents?” Will persisted.

“I do not wish to dwell on them,” Arvo countered.

“You swore that you would allow us to hear the truth,” Will reminded him as he cocked his head to one side. “What are you hiding from us, Your Highness?”

Arvo tightened his grip on the arms of his chair and narrowed his eyes at Will. “That is not the concern of outsiders. I have already told you far more than what I have told my own people only because you once saved my city. You may demand more than that but I will give you no more.”

“I have helped you before and I offer you my help now. Will you rebuff that?” Will asked him.

Arvo lifted his chin and frowned. “This is a matter that concerns our people. You have my apologies for the incident in the dungeons and have my leave to visit the city, but should you abuse my kindness I will not hesitate to remove you from my lands by whatever means necessary. Do you understand?”

Will bowed his head. “Completely, Your Highness. You mentioned the dungeons just now. I would ask a favor of you in releasing the other two prisoners.”

Arvo looked to his general. “Other prisoners?”

“The mortals who wandered in the woods a few weeks ago, Your Highness,” Tervo reminded him.

The king nodded. “I see. They knowingly trespassed in my domain. To release them after such a short time would show my people how little I protect my borders.”

“Then when will you release them?” I spoke up, earning the ire of the elves present.

Arvo himself set his sharp, unforgiving eyes on me. “I can smell the remnants of mortality all over you, Lady Thorn. For that alone I will forgive your outburst and rude question. Do not allow your impulsive mortal behavior to control you again.”

My body shook with rage and I opened my mouth to protest but Will lay a hand on my shoulder. I looked up into his stern face. He stared ahead but I could make out a barely perceptible shake of his head. My shoulders drooped and I turned my face away.

“If you will allow us, we will take our leave of you, Your Highness,” Will requested.

Arvo nodded. “You may have it but I feel compelled to remind you that what was spoken in this chamber will not be divulged to anyone.”

Will bowed his head. “You have our word, Your Highness. If you will excuse us.”

Will grabbed my hand and took one of Alisa’s, and he led us both down the long carpet. I looked over my shoulder and watched the king slump slightly in his chair, a look of deep concern on his face. Tervo followed us with his eyes and his stern face couldn’t hide all his concern.

We left the stodgy ballroom but even the entrance hall didn’t give me any reprieve from the tension. The staff seemed to have guessed that something serious had occurred and went about their work with one eye on us. We walked out of the palace and I breathed the first deep breath in what felt like forever. The day was still young and birds tweeted in the trees above us as we made our way to the gates. Guards stood on either side and opened them upon our arrival, allowing us out into the busy street in front of the palace. Carts rolled past and pedestrians paused to admire the palace of their king. Others stopped to gawk at us and more than one whispered to their company.

“I feel like they’re going to capture us again and put us in a cage to be displayed to the public. . .” I murmured to my companions.

Alisa looked Will and me over. “You were not harmed?”

He smiled down at her. “Not even a scratch but I’ll give you the details at home.”

I wrapped my free arm around myself and wrinkled my nose. “Do you think they’ll let us be here for long?”

Will sighed and squeezed my hand. “That will depend.”

I cocked my head to one side and looked up at him. “On what?”

His eyes twinkled. “On how much trouble we cause.”

Alisa jerked on his hand and stopped him. Her troubled eyes searched his face as she shook her head. “But you cannot do something so drastic as to have yourself banned from the city.”

“There’s something amiss, Alisa, and we must discover the cause for the sake of your people,” he countered.

She wrinkled her nose. “My people? They have shunned me my entire life. I hold no more love in my heart for them than for the earth beneath my feet.” She had raised her voice and caught the attention of those near us. Our elven companion cast a look of disgust at them which made them turn away. “They would refuse to lend a finger were the whole world in danger and all but they would be spared. Such is the kindness of the elves.”

Will grasped her shoulders with his hands and looked her in the eye. “This isn’t a matter we should speak about here. Let us get home and get some rest. The day will seem less dark then.” Alisa turned her face away and scoffed, but otherwise didn’t argue.

We ventured back to her house where my weary bones reminded me that the night had been a long one and the beds in the dungeons very uncomfortable. I stepped into Alisa’s house and flexed my back. A sound like firecrackers came from my spine and made me wince.

“You should get some sleep,” Will suggested to me.

I looked him up and down. “So should you. You got less than me down there.”

Alisa hadn’t spoken a word but stood in the doorway to the kitchen with her back to us. Will looked over to her and pursed his lips. “I believe I owe Alisa a full explanation of the events of last night and this morning.”

Alisa didn’t turn her back as she shook her head. “That can wait until you wake up. The story will still be on your lips then and I will see if I might hear news about what the king told us.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “Who are you going to talk to?”

She turned to me with a smile. “I have friends all around the city. They may be able to tell me what we need to know. Until then, I would advise you to rest.”

“Good advice,” Will agreed as he swept me up into his arms.

“Hey!” I protested as I clung to the front of his shirt. “I’m not that-” A yawn interrupted me. Will’s teasing eyes looked at me as I sheepishly grinned at him. “Maybe I am a little tired.”

“Then let me help you to bed,” he insisted as he carried me into the room, closing the door behind us.

Will lay me down on the bed and reached for the covers to draw them up over me. I grabbed his hand and frowned up at him. “Aren’t you coming to bed? You should be more tired than me.”

“I will in a moment. There’s something I want to speak with Alisa about.” He tried to get up but I kept a hold on him.

“What are you going to talk to her about?” I asked him.

Will smiled. “I promised to tell her the rest of the story.” I pursed my lips but opened my hand. He brushed a finger over my cheek before he stood. “Rest. I’ll be right back.”

I didn’t want to go to sleep before he returned but I was so exhausted that I couldn’t put up much of a fight. My heavy eyes closed and I slipped into dreamland.