Page 32 of Rising Out of the Darkness (Divine Guardians Duology #1)
Declan
“ I can’t believe you put the girl in the room next to you, Declan. What message do you think that will send? By tomorrow morning the entire city with will think we’ve begun to go soft on the lesser Elysians.” My father seethed.
The piercing ache in my head reminded me why I avoided these dinners as much as possible.
Rubbing circles over my temples, I tried to erase the fury that burrowed inside. Nothing would make your appetite evaporate faster than sitting across from the man who had killed your mother and brother, and beside your father, who still refused to believe it.
Since I’d arrived, my father and Alastor had begun a torturous interrogation about the past few days with the Light Phoenix. Still heartbroken and fuming over what Eloise had told me earlier, I couldn’t contain the glare that was currently locked on their faces.
My shadows rippled like steam along my arms and I took long draws from my whiskey glass. That seemed to quiet them for a while, and they got lost in conversation about plans for the ball that they would be holding to show off the Light Phoenix’s dynamis.
My insides coiled in knots as I waited for Elena, feigning boredom while I homed in on their conversation.
I’d been sent to retrieve the Light Phoenix for one reason.
They planned to make her a pawn in their vicious game, holding the rebels under their thumb, invoking fear in anyone who dared to challenge the kingdom.
My father’s reputation was slowly ripping by threads, and he was grasping at everything he could to make sure it didn’t rip wide open.
In his mind, he believed Elena will mend the tears and bring him back into the kingdoms favor.
Little did he know I had other plans for her.
I took another long draw from my whiskey glass, but my plotting was interrupted by the sound of the dining room doors creaking open.
Time stood as still as my heart. My Wildfire glided into the room like a damn warrior ready for battle, shoulders back, head held high, and a look of pure confidence on her face that was enough to make any man go weak at the knees. Thankfully, I was already sitting down.
A small smirk began to rise on my face as she walked towards me with more grace than any courtier in this kingdom. Pride thrummed through me as we all rose to meet her.
“Father, Lord Alastor, let me introduce you to Lady Elena Alexandria Morrigan, otherwise known as the Light Phoenix.”
Elena’s eyebrows twitched at the mention of her middle name, and I could feel the heat of her questioning eyes as she fell into a bow.
Yes, Wildfire, I know your middle name.
Doing my best to keep my face controlled, I let my attention fall back towards my father and Alastor.
“Lady Morrigan, let me introduce you to King Alaric Benjamin Stallard and his advisor Lord Alastor Grimshaw.”
After they bowed their heads towards Elena, I pulled out her chair for her.
She was to the left of me, my father was on my right at the head of the table, and Alastor was directly across from me.
Seating arrangements in the castle were always made by rank.
The higher the rank, the closer to the king we sat.
For once I could thank the gods for my father’s attention to that detail, for that meant that Elena would be seated the furthest away.
Servants entered from the kitchen, placing platters of meats, seafood, vegetables and an assortment of breads on the middle of the table.
As they lifted the silver lids, I struggled not to break composure as her lips parted.
She was trying so hard to maintain a stoic persona, but I had to shove down another smile when a breathy gasp escaped her when they revealed the platter of chocolate desserts.
My eyes roamed over her as I filled her plate with different foods and desserts. She was breathtaking. The simple black dress she wore highlighted every one of her assets.
Every. Single. One.
An overwhelming urge grew within me to throw her over my shoulder, carry her away to my chambers, and never look back.
Mesmerized, I watched as she twirled her auburn hair between her fingers.
It seemed to be a nervous habit of hers, one of the many that I had come to notice during our journey.
The others included biting her bottom lip when she was overwhelmed or rolling her eyes when she was frustrated.
All of which seemed to have a direct line to my…
I cleared my throat, setting the plate in front of her. Lena’s eyes found mine, silently asking for permission to eat. When I nodded, a grin spread across my face as she went straight for the chocolate dessert.
Alastor’s loud chewing was the only sound that echoed inside the massive room. Dinner seemed almost peaceful for once in my life, that was until my father decided to speak.
“So, Elena,” my father bellowed from the end of the table. “Let’s discuss why we summoned you here.”
Alastor wiped his smug mouth with his napkin as his eyes lingered on Elena for longer than I appreciated. I slammed the glass in my hand against the oak table, shaking Alastor’s glare off her and back onto me.
“Since you have been blessed with this extraordinary gift from the gods, it will be your duty to share it with your kingdom.”
Elena cleared her throat and took a long sip of wine, no doubt in reaction to the fact that she had just been told her dynamis was theirs to utilize.
“Alastor, my advisor, has arranged a ball for you and that other boy?—”
“Will,” she interrupted. My father’s eyes narrowed. I awaited my father’s anger to be unleashed, but it didn’t come. Curiosity twinged against my chest as to why.
“Yes, Will.” He took a sip of wine, while Alastor’s stare affixed on Elena once more.
“You both will train for a month while entertaining the dignitaries of our kingdom for brunches, dinners, or whatever else we need you for. You will be expected to be the face of our Stallard line, supporting all the same ideals as we do.”
Elena fidgeted uncomfortably in her seat beside me.
“At the end of the month, we will display the strength of your dynamis. If you do well, child, you may keep the title of Lady, as well as all the gifts that are currently on their way to your town.”
Elena’s eyes met my father’s, as the wheels spun inside my head.
All my guards were here in Vrine, so that must mean he had sent his own.
Something told me that their journey was about more than bearing gifts.
A piercing pain stabbed inside the pit of my stomach.
I made a note to send a raven to Warren immediately.
“Yes, child, I’ve sent several wagons of coin, livestock, even some of our finest elixirs.”
Her breath hitched, and I knew she was thinking about how much all of that would mean to her town.
“A few of my guards will also remain there to provide extra protection for your town as well.”
Silence passed as my father swirled the wine inside his goblet, glaring at his pawn, waiting for her to choose her fate.
“Does this sound like something you would be capable of doing, Lady Elena?” Alastor rumbled across the table.
“Y-yes.” Her voice trembled.
“Good,” he purred. “Then we will continue to provide aid to your town, as long as you continue to speak highly of our king and abide by our deal.”
Both men smiled toward each other and their glasses crashed together in a cheer. Elena, on the other hand, sank into her chair, burdened by the role that she was now expected to carry. All to ensure her town stayed safe.
“Elena,” my father grumbled, drumming his fingers against the marble table.
“I’m curious, just how did you manage to defeat this dark beast?
” As he spoke his fingertips around the edge of his wine goblet.
“My son’s dynamis is the most powerful in the kingdom.
There has never been anyone more powerful. ”
I caught the slight flicker of disgust in his tone at that admission. Elena simultaneously winced then glowered towards my father. Discreetly dropping my hand to her thigh next to me, I squeezed. Her face shifted back to the bored, stoic mask she’d worn when she walked in this evening.
Good girl. Don’t let them get to you, Wildfire.
Withdrawing my hand from her thigh, I lifted my whiskey glass to my lips.
Father and Alastor wore a scowl at the lack of reaction from me.
Sometimes I can’t control my anger, but I was trying my best to reign it in for Elena’s sake tonight.
“Declan told me you have some sort of white flame dynamis. Please, enlighten me on how your flame managed to accomplish such a feat where he could not.”
Blood boiled within me, my dynamis slamming against my skin. The taste of metal hit my tongue as I clenched my teeth. My lips parted as I prepared to snarl a response, but someone unexpectedly beat me to it.
“Well, Your Majesty, someone should probably reassess who’s the most powerful dynamis then.” Face bored, she continued to pick at her plate of food.
Gods, this woman never ceased to astonish me. A laugh threatened to rise from within me, so I shoved a piece of beef in my mouth to stifle it. A purplish-red hue painted their faces. My father’s mouth hung agape.
Obstinate behavior was not something that they were accustomed to, unless it came from me. Alastor was the first to lash out, and I leaned back into my seat, preparing for his inevitable tantrum.
“Why, you insolent little?—”
“Careful.” My voice boomed across the table as my fingers clawed at the chair’s armrest.