Page 25 of Eluvonia (Rift of Ages #1)

“An inn?” I ask, furrowing my brows as we step through the threshold. “Tura mentioned that before, but what exactly is it?”

Declan chuckles softly, his voice rich and steady. “It’s a place where we can rest and get some warm food.”

Inside, the inn is loud and bustling. To the right, a large area hums with the sounds of Dragons laughing, drinking, and boasting loudly over one another. The floor is littered with tankards and half-eaten meals. To the left, a set of stairs winds upward, leading to rooms above.

At the center of it all stands a podium, where a plump, balding man waits, his small brown wings pressed tightly against his broad frame. His bright smile stretches even wider as we approach, practically glowing with a mix of anticipation and warmth .

“Welcome! How can I help you fine sirs?” he asks, his voice enthusiastic and cheerful.

Kaida grunts. “Just looking for some food, then we’ll be on our way,” he says, already walking toward the tavern area.

The male calls after him, “Heard there was a nasty storm rolling in from the south, might want to book a room now while I still have them.”

Kaida stops, but only briefly, before continuing past him with a scoff. Declan, however, steps forward. “Thank you for the advice,” he says with his winning smile. “We’ll let you know if we change our minds.”

The male nods and smiles back, gesturing toward the tavern.

Declan leads me into the bustling room. Dragons are scattered throughout, engaged in conversation or feasting. The air is thick with the scent of roasted meat and ale, the warmth of the hearth unable to chase away the tension settling in my chest.

Then I see them.

A group of Fae near the back, their necks adorned with metal shackles, moving like ghosts through the crowded space.

They carry trays laden with large drinks and heavy platters of food, their movements swift, precise—practiced.

Their heads remain bowed, their shoulders tense, as if their very presence is an inconvenience rather than a necessity.

A sharp pang lances through me, coiling into something dark.

I lean toward Kaida, keeping my voice low. “What’s with the Fae here? Why are they working with the Dragons?”

Kaida glances at Declan, who merely shrugs. Kaida groans, clearly irritated. “They’re slaves. They don’t work with the Dragons—they work for them.”

I straighten, my jaw tightening. My fingers curl into fists beneath the table. “I knew the Dragons took prisoners during raids sometimes—I just never really thought about what happened to them after…”

Declan clears his throat and motions for one of them to approach. A slender male with dull eyes and pale skin steps forward, his movements stiff, mechanical—like a puppet with fraying strings.

“What can I get you, sir?” the Fae asks in a monotone voice.

Declan orders something called mead, along with stews and bread. The Fae glances at me, his expression unreadable.

“And some stale bread and water for the Fae, sir?”

Something inside me snaps .

I meet Kaida’s gaze, fury simmering beneath my skin. I dare him to laugh, to say something smug, to remind me of the power he and his kind wield.

Instead, he surprises me. “No,” he says, his voice firm. “Get her the same as us.”

The Fae’s eyes widen in disbelief before he quickly nods and scurries away.

I’m still watching Kaida when he turns to me, expression unreadable. “Don’t get used to it,” he says dryly. “I just can’t have you dying of starvation. I don’t feel like losing half my soul because I didn’t feed you.”

I roll my eyes, but the words barely register. My mind is too tangled in the sight of my people shackled, serving their oppressors with quiet resignation. This— this —is what they think of us. Obedient. Defeated. Lesser .

Hatred burns through my veins, hot and consuming.

I need to get out of here. Not just this tavern, not just from under Kaida’s shadow, but all of it . I need to find my people, the ones still free.

I need to fight—but not yet. Not until I understand my magic. It’s the key to everything—I know it.

Before I can help the Fae, I need to help myself.

Is what Kaida said about the Líer bond true?

Is there a way to break it? I need to figure it out.

And who spread the news of the bonding? Why?

What does that person gain from alienating me from my people?

If the Fae see me as a threat, I’ll never get close enough to save them.

Once I have my answers, I’ll return to my people—even if being away from him shreds what’s left of me. But I have to endure. Because if there’s even the slightest chance my magic can turn the tides, can end this war, then I have to take it.

Even if it means playing along.

Even if it means biding my time.

Because one day, these shackles won’t just be broken. They’ll be wrapped around Dragon throats.

We sit in silence at the wooden table, the bustling tavern hum muffled by the low ceiling and thick wooden walls. The dim lanterns above flicker softly, casting dancing shadows across the room.

Kaida stares down at the table his brow furrowed deep in thought.

The silence between us stretches, and after a while, he finally breaks it.

“Once we’re done eating, we’ll head back to the castle,” he says quietly, his voice rough, “I imagine Father’s already tearing apart the kingdom looking for us. ”

I glance at him, my lips pressing into a thin line. The thought of returning to the suffocating walls of the castle sends a chill down my spine, but there’s little choice in the matter. “I figured as much,” I murmur between clenched teeth.

A moment later, a soft sound draws my attention, and the small Fae approaches the table. A metal shackle glints around their wrist as they place a tray down in front of me, and a faint scent of spices wafts into the air.

I take a tentative bite of the stew, the flavors exploding on my tongue— a perfect balance of earthiness and warmth.

It’s rich and savory, the broth thick and fragrant with herbs.

The bread is crusty on the outside, soft on the inside, warm from the fire.

The mead is sweet, the honeyed notes dancing on my tongue as I take a sip.

Kaida doesn’t wait to savor the meal. He digs into his food with fervor, his appetite unbridled. I watch him for a moment, then slowly take another bite.

As I chew, a loud rumble sounds outside, shaking the floor beneath us. Kaida freezes mid-bite, his eyes narrowing as the sound echoes through the tavern. His hand slams down onto the table, rattling the wooden surface.

“Please tell me that’s not what I think it is,” he mutters, his voice grim, his frustration clear. His jaw tightens as he leans back in his chair, a heavy breath escaping him.

A bright flash streaks across the window, illuminating the inn briefly in silver light. Kaida growls under his breath, and the room grows darker around us, though I’m not sure if it’s from Kaida’s shadows or the incoming storm.

“Dammit,” he mutters, rubbing his temple. “The fat male was right.”

Declan looks toward the window, his expression contemplative. “We can see if it passes,” he says, his voice steady.

Kaida groans and sinks back into his seat, his arms crossed tightly .

We finish our meal in silence, the thunderstorm outside intensifying. The rain pelts the wooden roof of the inn, mixing with the cheerful, boisterous sounds of the tavern.

After some time, the storm still shows no sign of letting up. Kaida sighs, shaking his head. “Looks like we’re staying the night.”

Declan nods. “I’ll go get us some rooms.”

He rises, the scrape of his chair against the floor echoing softly. I continue eating my crusty bread, watching him approach the plump male at the podium.

Their exchange is heated and animated, Declan’s expressions flickering between exasperation and sharp control. Finally, he gives a slight nod and turns back toward us.

I sit straighter, a sudden unease prickling at my spine. Declan walks back with a sigh, running his hands through his hair.

“So, I got us a room,” he announces.

Kaida raises an eyebrow. “You mean rooms, plural, correct?”

Declan sighs again, his shoulders slumping slightly. “No, he only had one room left.”

Kaida stares at him for a long moment, before he runs his hand across his face, frustration evident. “Fine,” he mutters, standing.

I toss the last piece of bread in my mouth and follow them up a flight of wooden stairs. The hall stretches long and dimly lit, ending in a small wooden door. Declan unlocks it with the key he obtained and steps inside.

The room is simple—one double bed with a red blanket, a small red carpet in front of it, and an adjoining bathroom.

“That bed can barely fit me alone,” Kaida remarks, his tone dry.

Declan smirks, raising a hand. “Yeah, I’m not sleeping with you, so I’ll take the floor. That carpet looks soft enough.”

I look between them with a smirk. “Better share that carpet, Dec, because I’m not sharing another bed with him.”

Kaida gives me a smug look, his lips twitching. “Oh, you will, even if I have to chain you to the bed.” His words send a blush creeping up my cheeks.

“In your dreams, maybe,” I retort, heading toward the bed.

“I know I dream of you tying up Kaida,” Declan interjects, his voice playful and teasing.

I burst out laughing, and plop onto the bed, as Kaida takes his boot off and hurls it at Declan.

The boot sails through the air, narrowly missing Declan’s head before he ducks and dives at Kaida.

They crash to the floor in a tangle of limbs, laughing and grappling on the floor, playful but intense, their laughter mixing with the storm raging outside.

From my spot on the bed, I watch them with a grin, the tension in the room easing as they tease and push each other.