Page 27 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody (Elven Fantasy Romance #3)

Chapter 26 Rhianelle

A shes crumble beneath my feet as I walk with Aelfric into the dungeon over Tavan’s west wing. The rush of battle has not worn off from my veins, and I remain wary. I don’t let the stench of death and rot falter my steps as we move along the dark passage.

I know Blaire is not here, but I have to see.

Movements from behind the bars catch my attention. I feel the eyes tracking my movement in the dark.

Prisoners.

Just as Svenn had informed us days ago, there were no fae and elves in Tavan. Most of the captives in these cells are from Darvan. While the dwarfs are certainly shorter than Aelfric, most of the males are able to look me straight in the eyes. The mighty armor they wear and the heavy muscles suggest that these are warriors among their clan.

My heart crumbles at the sight of fetters on collars around their neck.

“Make sure they are treated for their wounds and injuries right away,” Aelfric directs one of the Hlaryan elves. His sapphire eyes turn to me. “It’s best if we let the healers work now.”

I nod and trail behind him silently to the wide open square outside. Two soldiers are marveling at the macabre remains on an orc splattered on the wall, one of the many victims of Svenn’s rampage.

My husband may be affected by the dagger’s curse, but he will be trialed and judged for the killings of our people. Those unfortunate support line soldiers and Lord Wesley. Sorrow streams in my chest at the memory of Svenn’s shadow swallowing them into the darkness. There is something I have decided in my heart if they choose to execute him. I haven’t told Aelfric yet, but I’m going to run away with Svenn.

He’s my mate. Mine.

Even now the bond is desperately telling me to rush home to him. He’s injured and I need to get to him fast. I will carry the weight of all those deaths for the rest of my life. We both will.

I take one look at the devastation and dead bodies sprawled around us and ask, “How many?”

My knight understands the simple question instantly, but it takes a long moment for him to deliver the final tally. “So far they’ve counted two hundred fifty-seven losses from our side.”

Dread settles in my gut, ominous and heavy. Two hundred fifty-seven souls who will not return home to their families.

“Most are all Lord Raleich’s troops who tried to breech the wall at the beginning of the battle,” Aelfric says, draining his waterskin to wash the blood underneath his nails. “We truly did not expect the rebels to have the heavy amount of Asterdust that they did.”

“What of the people that my husband has killed?” My voice quivers with the question.

Instead of an answer, my knight merely stares back in confusion. “What?”

The word escapes him just as I see Lord Wesley emerging from the stone walled tower. Is that a wraith? I rub my eyes to make sure I am not seeing things. I expect him to disappear after I clear my vision. Delight overtakes me when he is still there, discussing something to Nemarion and Lady Eilidh’s weary faces.

He is real.

Dirt covers his auburn hair, but other than that, the warrior is unmarred and unharmed.I rush my trembling feet towards him.

Wesley’s attention shifts to me instantly.

“You’re alive… Thank the gods,” I say, staring at him with disbelief. I would have hugged him too if I weren’t wearing my proper High Elf mask.

The lord offers me a broad smile over the prayer. “Thank the vampire too.”

I lift my brows over his strange praise of gratitude. “I saw his shadows engulf you…”

“Your husband saved my life,” he says, his amber eyes flickering. “An orc general stabbed my calf, and I would have fallen from the battlement if it hadn’t been for him.”

“All of my company are alive and well, thanks to him,” Lord Nemarion adds, removing his helm.

All of them? Svenn didn’t kill his soldiers?

I suck in a breath of surprise.

“Your husband is a greedy bastard, though…” Lady Eilidh suddenly scoffs with disdain. “He took my opponent from me. I was this close to beating my father’s kill count.”

“Mine too.” Aelfric sighs slowly, appearing right behind me.

“I believe we have no casualties in the support line infantry,” Wesley reports stoically. “Your plan has won us the fortress, but if the vampire hadn’t intervened, most of us would not be here alive.”

A part of me dies over his admission. My heart twists with guilt and my body goes numb. I don’t listen as the lords debate about the load of Asterdust possessed by the bandits.

Aelfric notices the changes in me instantly.

“I will escort the queen to the healer’s tent now, my lords,” he says, taking our leave. He pulls me away before anyone can notice the slip in my High Elf facade.

“Rhianelle, what’s wrong?”

“I don’t understand,” I mutter, my voice shaking. “I saw Svenn try to kill you with an axe…”

Aelfric brows wrinkle in confusion. “He wasn’t trying to harm me, Rhianelle.”

The knight takes me by the hand and tows me along the cobblestones, returning us to the courtyard from earlier.He brings me to the body of a dead orc stuck the wall. The spear Svenn threw is lodged the rebel’s throat. I back a step when the creature moves. He is surprisingly still alive, raising his hand slowly, trying to strangle me. The Asterdust corrupts him even in his near-death state. Aelfric ends his suffering with a swift movement of his dagger.

“The vampire was trying to save my life,” Aelfric says into the quiet air. “He knew I would have been able to evade the strike. I am a servant of Tavarra the Traveller after all.”

Despair tears my heart with its sharp claw when I realize my mistake. I drop my head into my hands.

What have I done?

Svenn was saving everyone. I should have had more faith in him. Instead, I buried a dagger in his chest.

“Where is he?” I ask Aelfric, almost shaking him. “Where did you send him?”

“He is with the rest of the captives.” Darstan’s deep voice resounds from behind me. “Your husband wants to see you.”

“Tell me where that is, please,” I plead, ready to sprint home to Svenn. Before I can take another step further, a hand suddenly grasps my arm.

“Wait,” Aelfric says, studying my temple and cheekbone. “You’re injured, Rhianelle.”

I try to wriggle out of his grasp. It’s just a punch from Shade. I’m fine. I don’t think the knight remembers Svenn’s terrible state with arrowheads, weapons, and injuries all over him. “Please Aelfric, Svenn’s wounded too—”

“Garrett is helping him,” Aelfric says more calmly. “You need to get this checked.”

I shake my head, struggling to get free.

Aelfric grasps my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Once the healers clear you, go to your tent. I’ll fetch him straight to you.”

I look to Darstan for help. But his expression turns to stone, agreeing with his fellow knight’s assessment.

“He needs to hear my apology. What if he goes away and never comes back?” I say, my voice trembling.

The rough lines of Aelfric’s face soften. “I’ll make sure he’ll be there in your tent, even if I have to drag him. Have I ever disappointed you?”

I still in his arms. I know my friend only wants what’s best for me.

“Get the Hlaryan elves to look at this. Understand?” he says in an unassailable tone.

The finality in his voice makes me sad. I want to go to Svenn. But there’s no winning against the knight.

I nod reluctantly.

Aelfric doesn’t understand. The very fabric of my soul cries for me to go to him.

Svenn is my mate.

And there is nothing in the heavens, hell, or earth that can stop me.