Page 45 of Rising Out of the Darkness (Divine Guardians Duology #1)

Elena

G roaning, I tried to open my swollen eyes.

Every muscle in my body felt sore as I tried to sit up in bed.

Pain radiated throughout my body, and my head fell back onto the headboard with a grunt.

Today was my first brunch with the king’s dignitaries, and afterwards another grueling training session.

Declan.

The spot next to me was vacant, but the sheets still felt warm to the touch. He must have stayed the entire night. I threaded my fingers through the ends of my hair, twisting around and around as I lost myself in my thoughts.

Declan’s words from last night felt ingrained in my soul. My heart ached from the heaviness of them. For someone who had recently inherited monumental amounts of dynamis, at this moment I felt completely powerless.

There was a battle going on within me. If I didn’t find my strength soon, I was going to go down like a sinking ship, never to be seen again.

Exhaustion rang warning bells inside my body, telling me to stop and go back to sleep. However, the tiniest whisper of my consciousness reminded me that I was not a quitter. I needed to pull myself together and keep moving forward. That was what I’d always done and today would be no different.

I’d been blessed with another day of life, and I shouldn’t waste it wallowing in past events I couldn’t change. Just one step. That was all I needed, and the rest would follow.

Wincing, I pulled my feet over the edge of the bed and placed them on the floor. Just one step, Elena. With every bit of strength left, I pulled myself up off the bed and took a step, then another.

I was about as wobbly as a newborn doe, but I eventually made it over to the table.

Sliding down into the chair, I looked over the tray of breakfast foods and tea that Eloise must have left for me this morning.

As I reached for a fluffy blueberry muffin, my arm brushed over a folded piece of parchment.

Written on the front was a name I knew all too well.

Wildfire . My fingers began to tremble as I slumped back into the chair and unfolded the parchment to read his note.

I hope that you were able to get some much-needed rest. After your brunch with my father, take a rest and then find me afterwards. I’ll be in the library, collecting some books for you to read about dynamis and the Light Phoenix. We will do a less physical form of training today. See you soon.

P.S. There is ginger candy for the hangover, and some chocolates…because chocolate solves all problems, right?

—Declan

I folded the parchment and set it aside, a smile caressing over my cracked lips. Somehow this man awakened all that was good inside of me. I wasn’t entirely sure that I would be able to restrain myself much longer. Last night was a perfect example of how easily I let my walls crumble.

However, I knew I’d made the right choice. My dream last night was a visceral reminder of what happened to the people close to me. Declan and I simply couldn’t be, no matter how much we might both want it.

The door of my room creaked open as Eloise’s tiny body slid through. Hazel eyes roved over me as they assessed the damage from last night. “I’m so sorry, Elena. I should have knocked first, but I need to get you ready for brunch with the king.”

I nodded as a yawn slipped loose. She made her way to my wardrobe. “You aren’t going to like this one.” She chuckled, pulling out one of the monstrosities of the dresses the king had ordered to be brought in for me while I was training yesterday.

Golden feathers covered every part of the fluffy gown, from the capped sleeves all the way down to the hem. Bits of golden tulle peeked out between the wide skirts, and lace covered the bodice and the high-necked collar.

I ate as she readied my hair and my face. Then she helped me into the hideous gown, all while feathers poked us both.

“I’m going to look like a giant yellow bird,” I huffed, trying to smooth down the puff of the skirt with my hands.

A snort came from behind me. “Wait…there’s more.”

“Fantastic.” I grimaced.

In her hands was a navy velvet sash. Embroidered in gold thread was the kingdom’s crest, and to attach it to my dress was a golden feather pin. Eloise placed the sash around my body, and I faced the mirror and scowled at my reflection.

“Be careful today.” Eloise’s voice shook me from my glare. “One of the king’s maids stormed into the kitchen today and warned us of his foul mood. Nothing good ever comes from those.”

I patted her shoulder. “I’ll try my best.”

“Good luck, Lena.”

T he moment I entered the dining room, the heaviness of all the stares halted my steps. Whispers spread throughout the guests as fast as kindling on a fire. Pulling down deep, I found my courage and straightened my spine as I locked eyes on the host of today’s event.

The guests parted as I passed. Some smiled and dipped their heads while others scowled at the sight of me. With a heavy sigh, I tucked the emotions beneath my ward and tried to calm the dynamis that had begun to awaken.

Alaric turned around from his group of dignitaries and strode over to me. “It’s a pleasure to see you, Lady Elena.” His voice boomed as he interlocked our arms. “Let’s take a stroll around the room, shall we?”

Before I could even nod, he tugged me along and began parading me around the room.

“I would like to apologize for my behavior the other night.”

The king’s apology sent my eyebrows to my forehead, and I struggled to rein them in. His lips twitched into a smirk.

“Elena, a king apologizing is a rare occurrence. You would do well to accept it, before I decide to not ever do it again.”

Dull green eyes assessed mine, his lips pursed into a line as he awaited my answer. They lacked the life that warmed Declan’s. Alaric’s were cold and reddened around the edges.

“Apology accepted, Your Majesty,” I said, trying to calm the swell of nerves.

“Have you made a decision about my offer?” he asked, taking two golden wine goblets off the passing server’s tray and handing one to me.

Wrapping my fingers around the stem, I dipped my head. “Yes, I’ll take your offer. As long as my town stays safe, I’ll do as you ask.”

“Good.” He guided me towards Alastor and another man. Both stared at me with such intensity that it made my skin prickle. “Elena has decided to take my offer,” he said, and the other men’s lips tugged into cruel grins.

Their looks of satisfaction made my stomach ache, and doubt blossomed within it. Even though I knew this was going to save my town, I couldn’t help feeling like I had just joined hands with the enemy.

Hells, I hope I’m making the right decision.

“This is Lord Edan Drake. He runs Vragos, the City of Ash.”

Edan dipped his head, his pointy nose crinkling at the king’s introduction. “Yes, I rule over the City of Ash.” His sharp jaw clenched, dark brown eyes shifting to the king. “It’s nice to meet you, Lady…” His thin lips pursed together as he tried to recall my name.

“Elena,” Alastor interjected, taking a deep draw of whiskey as his icy blue eyes studied me.

“Oh, yes, that’s right.” Lord Drake cleared his throat, waving Alastor off. “So hard to remember all these courtiers these days.”

“Seeing as how she possesses the dynamis of the Light Phoenix, the savior of our realm, I suggest hers is one name that you should commit to memory,” Alastor drawled, and the king nodded with approval.

Edan’s shoulders cowered before he shook it off and apologized. “Forgive me for my error, Lady Elena.”

“You’re forgiven,” Alaric grunted, and pulled my arm into his once more. “We have mingling to do and promises of your protection to make. Time to circle the room, my lady.”

This entire interaction had left me stunned and confused. Only two nights ago both men had belittled me over my plate of salmon. Now, they were being eerily respectful. Something didn’t sit right, and the dynamis that had roused within me once more agreed.

As we walked away, Alastor stared at me from his glass of whiskey.

The intensity of it burned through me as it tracked me around the room, through every interaction the king and I had, and even during conversations with the other guests about my dynamis.

I could look up and always find Alastor’s eyes.

Even after the king excused me from my duties, a shiver ran down my spine as I exited through the gold-trimmed doors. There was no need to look over my shoulder to know that his gaze still lingered upon me.

As I walked down the long hallway and up the stairs towards the library, there was only one question that crossed my mind about Alastor’s stare.

Why?