Page 44 of Blood and Thorns

“You’re back,” he says, voice low, as if unsure how to begin.

I exhale a shaky breath. “Yes. And I have information—critical information.”

His gaze flickers over me—my disheveled hair, the travel grime on my clothes. “You look exhausted. Sit. Now.”

It’s not a request. I sink into a chair by his desk, bracing my elbows on my knees. He remains standing, arms folded.

“Talk,” he orders. “What did you find?”

I gather my thoughts, recounting everything: the overheard conversations about capturing Vrakken, essence extraction, Lord Xathien’s involvement, even the locked door that suggested a captive on-site. Vaelorian’s face darkens with each sentence.

“This is worse than we suspected,” he says, pacing behind his desk. “Xathien… he’s not just dabbling. He’s escalated to full-scale experimentation. If the dark elves harness that essence, they could craft spells that rival or surpass Vrakken magic.”

I nod, swallowing hard. “They mentioned transporting more ‘batches’ soon. They’re also forging alliances with orc clans. I heard references to a new weapon, possibly fueled by Vrakken blood.”

His wings flex against his back, a sign of agitation. “That explains the renewed activity near our borders.”

For a moment, we let the gravity settle. I’m aware of his gaze sliding over my face again, concern flickering in the line of his jaw.

“You did well,” he finally says, voice softer. “This intel could change everything.”

A wash of relief courses through me. I expected anger over the risk I took following that guard, but I only see a flicker of pride in his expression.

“Thank you,” I murmur, my shoulders relaxing slightly. “I… there was more, though. My senses?—”

He frowns. “Yes?”

My hands clench in my lap. “They’re sharper, Vaelorian. I could smell blood through closed doors, hear footsteps from across the hall. It’s like… I’m stronger or more aware than I should be.”

His brow furrows. “We noticed some signs before you left, but it’s growing stronger?”

I nod. “It made infiltration easier, but it’s unsettling. At times, it was overwhelming.”

He presses a hand to his chin, contemplative. “We’ll address it. Maybe Helrath’s training can help you refine this ability, or perhaps a more discreet study of what you really are…”

I tense at the reminder of my unknown heritage. The possibility that I’m part Vrakken—even a tiny sliver—looms in my mind. We’ve never confirmed it, but these heightened senses feel like a clue.

We fall into silence. My chest aches, wanting to reach out, to confide the confusion swirling inside me. But I sense Vaelorian’s own turmoil—he’s reverting to that cold shell, as if unsure how to handle the charged undercurrents between us.

Finally, he steps around the desk, standing before me. He’s close enough that I catch his scent—like night air over a deep lake. My pulse quickens, recalling our last real encounter.Stop.We have bigger problems.

“Valeria,” he says quietly, “I’m calling a council with my mother and key advisors. We’ll decide how to respond to Xathien’s threat. Your testimony will be crucial.”

I nod, though my insides twist at the thought of facing Matriarch Brinda’s scrutiny. “All right.”

He reaches for my hand, hesitates, then lets it drop to his side. “First, rest. You look like death warmed over.”

A relieved laugh escapes me, raw, tinged with lingering tension. “I feel worse than I look.”

“Then take the evening to gather yourself. We’ll meet tomorrow.”

I stand, legs trembling from the journey and the emotional weight. “Vaelorian,” I say softly. “Thank you for trusting me with this mission.”

A flicker of conflict crosses his face. “It wasn’t trust,” he mumbles, turning away. “It was necessity.”

But the way his shoulders tense makes me suspect that’s not entirely true. He might pretend it’s just strategy, but there’san undercurrent that pulses between us, one we’ve never fully discussed.

I exit the study, a thousand questions roiling in my mind. The fortress corridors feel both welcoming and suffocating after the dark elf banquet’s hostility. Yet at least here, I’m not alone.Or am I?

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