Page 7 of Shadows of Air and Earth (Remnant Archives)

I blinked slowly at the mess, hardly believing only two fae were involved in what looked like an unhinged orgy.

Clothes were strewn all over, several bottles of the strong spirits I sampled last night littered the floor, and amongst them were two very naked fae reeking of sex and bathed in cum.

A bare white ass greeted me with a tattoo peek of feathered wings cradling each sculpted cheek wrapping to the front—my brows rose, more than curious to see the rest.

Leaning back on the windowsill, praying that at least this spot had come out unscathed from the events of last night, I quirked a brow and cleared my throat, "I'm wondering if I should take offense for not being invited to this party?"

A green head of hair shot up accompanied by a rush of air.

Flicking my hand with shadows, they swallowed the dangerous air power just in time to reveal a very startled, very handsome, and very naked air elemental.

My gaze trailed amusedly over his lean-cut frame, noticing the brands on his skin actually did spread fully across his groin.

A phoenix in mid-flight to be exact, its wings spread for attack, the ink following even further across his shaft.

Smirking, I lifted my ogling stare to meet his slightly panicked, and yet even more smug expression. Pressing my lips into a thin line, I suppressed my laughter when his foot kicked out, quickly nudging this partner still sleeping soundly on the floor.

"Fuck Ri, is that your foot, stop kicking me." The other elemental, Xi Chin, murmured still half asleep, her white hair caked across her face.

Hazel eyes never left mine, his stance solid, no shame in his exposure, and ready to fight me if he must. "General Dark, apologies for just now. I hadn't realized it was you," he said, kicking Xi more frantically this time.

"Xi, General Dark is here. Now. As in the veritable flesh."

"Stop goddess damn kicking me, and that's not even fucking funny, Ri," she groaned back, then snickered. "But if she were here I'd tell her to piss off, shove her shadows where the sun doesn't shine, and never show her face here again."

My grin widened at the comical look that spread across the air elemental's face. A cross between choking horror and grim determination. "Am I to believe that’s your final answer then, Xi Chin, in regards to joining me in search of the seal that is?"

The snickering earth elemental stilled, suddenly quiet she quickly pushed to standing. Her grey eyes widened just before she bowed low in all her naked glory, "General Dark, fuck. Apologies, I—"

I held up my hand. "I am not a morning person either nor would I be after," my eyes trailed across the room but I did not miss the way they both flinched when I did so, "after whatever this goddess damn was.

" Flicking my long hair back over my shoulder, I returned to studying them, gathering the shadows behind me.

"I tell you what. To make it up to me, I could use some company for breakfast. The tavern’s cook seems much more accommodating than any others I have come across and she has agreed to prepare us all a spread.

" The shadows plumed up around my feet, absorbing me into their darkness, to shift through the void.

A trick of the eye that was useful but limited in distance.

I sighed inwardly, thinking for the millionth time in my life how much simpler it would be if they could actually teleport.

A fae could dream I suppose. Winking back at their stunned faces, I continued, "See you downstairs, we can talk more then. "

As I shifted through the hidden shadows, Xi’s whisper did not escape me, "I don't like this, why is it when-ever she speaks I feel this intense foreboding and the winking…that just makes it worse."

I smiled, moving further away then stepping out of the shadows into a small corner of the room below where we would be away from prying eyes and eavesdroppers.

Being the only shadow fae in these parts drew much attention—mostly bad.

Being the only shadow fae and war general to the throne made it so much worse.

But this was the life I chose, aligning myself with the queen.

What I hadn't anticipated was us becoming lovers, or the joy we found in being one of the two loneliest beings in this world.

Perhaps there was a part of me that believed I could be the one to make her find another way, guide her towards helping our people and steering her away from the power-hungry madness simmering below the surface.

But I had been wrong and now I had no one to trust but me and my shadows. Being here today gave me hope that perhaps it wouldn’t always be that way.

A large-bodied shadow loomed over me where I sat. I had felt him approach, despite being lost in memories, expecting the uncordial greeting.

"I think it's best you be on your way, shadow fae." A gravelly voice above just held back the tremble in their tone.

Leaning back in the booth, I tilted my head to the side.

He was a tall fae, with chestnut hair and eyes of auburn that scorched the air between us.

It took a lot to confront the General of Faerie even if he did have a strong athletic frame.

A formidable opponent aside from needing a few good meals and perhaps clothing that was not so threadbare.

The fae of these plains were suffering, that much was clear, "Good morning, what is your name? "

"Did you hear what I said?" he growled, slapping his hands on the table.

I waved my own, the shadows swirling around it. Show offs . "Let me take a guess, fire elemental?"

He scowled, leaning into my space. I didn't like fae in my space but I also didn't like seeing the fear flickering in his eyes despite his bravado. This wasn't a truly aggressive fae, it was one who was terrified and worried for the people he loved here.

But I was and never had been a fae that could be controlled nor commanded. A fact that drove the queen into fits of rage. She loved me for my power and what it could do. Power I would never allow her to have, the first splinter in our relationship.

Sighing, I released the shadows. "Tell you what, I'll challenge you to a contest." Throwing a silver blade from my boot into the table between his hands, I smiled at his widened eyes. "Dodging daggers. If you can hit me, then I'll leave."

The fire elemental’s lips thinned, looking between me and the dagger.

Admittedly, I was surprised he was still standing here, that fact alone took balls and I liked it.

Staring at the blade momentarily, calculating his options, he released a low growl, "Without your powers?

And if I win, you leave and never come back here? No questions asked?"

I hummed, "Yes, and I'll even wear the blindfold. Deal?"

His auburn eyes gleamed and his tongue licked across his teeth. "Deal."

Rising from the booth, I wrenched the dagger out of the wooden table, handing it over to him, and manifesting a thick strip of cloth from my shadow void.

I was most fortunate to have the shadows carry everything for me while traveling and of course, one could never travel anywhere without daggers and blindfolds.

"Goddess’ blessings to you then, fire elemental. "

Wrapping the blindfold around my head, I picked my way through the tavern full of chairs and barstools, having already memorized the space in my mind. Turning at the appropriate amount of paces.

"Ten second countdown," I cooed, "Ten…nine…eight…seven…six…five…four…three…" A slight shift, a soft whirl, and I spun, dancing to the side, hearing the loud thunk of the blade hitting the wall instead of my body.

A loud curse echoed throughout the room while I unshielded myself from the blindfold only to see fire shooting towards my head. I was ready for it, of course I was, I had already sensed scorching eyes was a sore loser, short tempered but most of all, afraid. Fear made fae do foolish things.

Quickly, I snuffed it out, the shadows hissing. Not enjoying the light they were forced to consume.

"Bad form, Caval. You made a deal with the general, you should honor it!"

Turning, I watched a freshly showered Riley Dragoon stroll forward with his partner Xi following stride for stride, her lips pressed harshly together with disapproval.

I cocked my head, wondering if they realized how in sync they were with each other.

Air and earth, an unlikely pair, and yet the way they moved, their presence, and bond was the most natural thing I had ever seen.

Part of me ached for a bond like that but that seemed very unlikely.

The time of soulmates was far and few, with the slow extinction of our race, there were no new souls to be born.

Our curse of infertility set up our impending extinction but also stopped the natural course of fate.

A demise that was slow—allowing a long life but not a full one.

That was if we didn't kill each other off first.

The fire elemental’s mouth opened and closed, his eyes wide with fright. "I…I, please forgive—I don’t know what came over me."

I shook my head, "You have a decent throw, Caval, " I said, walking towards the wall and grabbing the dagger.

"I could use someone like you to join my forces, I am always looking for elementals who can see past their fear to protect the fae they love.

You just need a bit more training to truly harness it. "

The squeak of the cook stepping into the room had us all looking in her direction. Face blushing deep red, she scurried to the table to drop off a loaded tray of delicious looking fare, and then dashed back out of the room. All of us followed her retreat before turning back to one another.

Smirking, I tossed a silver coin to Caval.

His demeanor now one of shock as he flipped it over in the palm of his hand,"If you're interested, take that to the guards at the gates of the City of Light, show them the coin and they will take you to Lieutenant Ruane.

He will get you sorted, supplying you with anything you need. Including a full year's pay."

Both Xi and Riley inhaled sharply while the fire elemental stared at the coin in his hand. Purpose , Caval just needed a purpose for this life, and this was the first time he was realizing it.

Striding back towards the table of delicious smelling egg custard tarts and steamed buns with strawberry sauce I had ordered, I winked back at the fire elemental, "I'd get out of here Caval, before I change my mind."

Not bothering to look back, I heard Caval release a faint curse before whispering his goodbyes and apologies to the other two elementals in the room.

Sitting down, I smoothed out my fitted leather vest and used the dagger to distribute the tarts and buns on my plate, slathering them in a massacre of sweet, sticky strawberry sauce.

Stabbing a tart with the blade, I stuffed the whole thing in my mouth looking up at the two elemental fae watching me warily.

Chewing thoughtfully, I studied them. They weren't afraid or nervous as much as they were worried…

and their worry was not for themselves. "So…

" I said through a mouthful of custard, "about the item you actually did steal. The Empedolces staff."