Page 179 of Kingdom of Embers and Ruin

As Bryn studied the buildings in the darkening day, she realized each of the building's windows were organized to represent different constellations in the sky. The lights from inside the buildings illuminated the star-studded windows. Ursa Major and Minor, Draco, Perseus, Cepheus.

Some of the buildings were not as tall as others, but their open rooftops allowed the sun and moon to shine through them at all hours of the day. The scent of jasmine and gardenia gently wafted up to where they stood, wrapping around Bryn.

Night-blooming flower gardens were dotted throughout the city, between buildings and on top of some. The sight of them reminded Brynof her mother and her night-blooming garden at the Palace of Wind and Embers that she had tended.

The city itself was laid out in a semicircle, the Icewall Mountains providing a barrier between them and the rest of the world and protecting them from prying eyes. In the center of the city, an ocean inlet housed thousands of ships. The water was black and glittering under the sun, the waves shifting in anticipation of the moon's arrival.

This city is breathtaking, Bryn thought.How could it have been here all this time and, no one knew?

The streets that wove between buildings were alive with the dying light of the day; markets closing their stalls, restaurants with outdoor seating dimmed their fires for the evening to create a romantic atmosphere, and Elven children scurrying back to their parents.

Bryn and Hakon watched as the city came alive with the moonrise. A kingdom that worshiped the moon and the night sky. As soon as the moon shone brightly over their heads, Bryn saw the light shift into bright purples and green. Like a blanket that was being waved over their heads, the ribbons of light danced and shifted above them.

“Welcome to Nida, the last Elven city in Ahland,” Liv said, her tall form proudly displaying her pointed ears and glowing skin. The moon shone down on her as she spoke as if the gods were delighted with this reveal. “Welcome to the Kingdom of Shadows.”

Bryn couldn’t believe it. The last Elven kingdom had been under their noses for centuries. Hakon seemed unable to find the words to respond to this revelation. She could see the betrayal in his eyes as he looked at Liv. They had all been moved down into the city toward the center where the Midnight Palace stood. Gunnar had been rushed off to the Elven healers in the palace, his pallor becoming paler with every passing moment.

Once inside, Liv led Bryn and Hakon to a room with a long table that had been set for supper. Lining each side were simple, dark wooden chairs, the head of the table housing a similar, if not slightly larger, chair for the Elven King to rest in. The plating was simple but elegant, the ceramic plates and bowls like the moonstone that the buildings were constructed of.

Liv pointed to two seats for them to take next to the head of the table while she sat opposite of them, reaching for a stone pitcher in between them. She poured out a purple liquid that smelled of juniper berries into smaller stone chalices. Bryn accepted hers but did not sip it; instead, she chose to survey the room.

The walls were decorated sparsely, and the large open windows looking out into the city provided the light needed to illuminate the small dining room. At the same time, a fire crackled in the corner, providing heat. Despite the windows being open to the elements, the room was quite warm, and Bryn found that she had to shed her silver fur-lined cloak.

Maude would have loved it here, she thought before quickly shutting down the idea. Bryn had only had her sister at the forefront of her mind since she stepped out of that mountain. The grief pressed in around her lungs, making the air she took in shallow and thin.

Bryn closed her eyes and placed a hand on her chest, sure that it was cracking apart for everyone to see.

“Drink the Elven wine,” Liv said softly, pointing toward the purple liquid in front of Bryn. “It’ll help.”

Bryn grabbed the glass and tipped it back into her mouth, the deceptively effervescent liquid pouring smoothly down her throat. The wine was slightly sweet; the sparkling effect lingered on her tongue for a moment before a small giggle bubbled up and escaped her. Liv smiled, sadness still staining the movement, but amusement danced in her eyes at the small laugh.

Unable to hold his silence any longer, Hakon spoke, “Why didn’t you tell us?”

Liv opened her mouth to speak, but the Elven male who had greeted them in the mountains spoke first, entering from the main doors.

“Because I ordered her not to.”

Where before, the male had been dressed like a soldier, now he wore formal black trousers and a tunic with a black leather vest over the top, showing off his powerful form. What made the laughter die in Bryn’s throat, however, was the silver band that rested on top of his onyx hair.

The crown was simple, with only a few amethysts encrusted in the front. The moonlight shone down on him through the open windows and lit up the silver like it was a beacon. Bryn also noticed how his hair wasn’t entirely black; there were strands of maroon that were only visible in the moonlight.

“I am Aeric Vilulf, King of Shadows,” he continued. “And Liv is my ward, an orphan from the Kingdom of Light. She has served as my informant these last two hundred years since the fall of Ljosa. She travels through Ahland and reports back to me about anything that might affect the Elven living here.”

Two hundred years. Gods above.

The information slammed into Bryn and Hakon. Liv was alive for The Elemental War when the Elven sided with the Kingdom of Rivers against the Kingdom of Flame. Children of Ahland had all learned about it, but the idea that Bryn had been traveling with one of the Elven was a lot to take in let alone that she had been alive for that long.

“I’m sorry I never told you; I wanted to,” Liv said to Hakon, the desperation of her truth glowing in her silver eyes.

“Is there anyone who hasn’t lied to me?” Hakon asked, his temper starting to take a turn for the vicious.

Bryn raised her hand as she looked between Liv and Hakon. Liv snickered while Hakon glared at her.

“Aeric, this is Hakon Kolbeck, Heir of Rivers.” Liv pointed to Hakon, who inclined his head to the King of Shadow but was not quite able to wipe the anger from his features. “And this is Brynna Helvig, General of Flame and sister to our friend Maude Helvig.”

Liv carefully used Bryn’s new title rather than referring to her as the Heir of Flame, which, technically, she now was. Her heart sank at the truth Liv’s words hid. Her sister was dead. Gone. And she had just left her body in the crumbling Palace of Wind and Embers.

Something sparked in the King's silver eyes, but it was gone before Bryn could identify what it was. One sip of this Elven wine and her senses were dimmed beyond reconciliation.

---