Page 41 of Rising Out of the Darkness
“You’ve been asleep since you fainted, then the entirety of the next day, Lena.”
“An entire day?” I exclaimed, as the beats of my heart raced alongside my breaths.
Declan nodded solemnly. “Fortunately, we’re very close now to Pinepeak.” He nodded to the horizon behind me, and I followed his line of sight. Sure enough, the town was only a few paces away.
I awaited his orders for me to pull up my hood, awaited him to reach out and glamour my dynamis tattoo. None of that came.
As we entered the gates of the city, my eyes widened at the sight. Smooth gray stone paved the walkways, and buildings appeared to also be made with sturdy stone and other materials that didn’t look inches away from blowing away with the wind. However, it only took one glance into the eyes of the Elysians as we passed to see the king’s toll still weighed heavily here.
Beggars held out bowls for food or slept in alleyways. Clothes were tattered, and carts of food for sale were only half full.
Our horses paraded down the main street and allowed me to observe just how different the looks we received here were.Some eyes narrowed or fell to the ground as we passed, while other people gave smiles or nods like they were almost happy to see the Royal Guards. The entire interaction left me even more puzzled than I was before.
Laughter and lively music spilled out of the well-lit building ahead of us. The closer we inched toward it, the more intrigued by it I was. Declan let out a whistle, and his stallion pulled to a halt just outside the door.
“Wait here,” he said, so low I could barely hear him over the music.
He walked towards a gentleman lingering around the front door. They leaned their heads together, as if trying to make sure that no one else heard their conversation. The man nodded with a smile, then held out his arm towards Declan.
He embraced the man’s arm and then turned it over while staring at his wrist. Both smiled, then shook each other’s arms once more before Declan made his way back towards me. That was the most peculiar handshake I’d ever witnessed, or there was something more to it.
Confusion must have been written all over my face, because Declan’s eyebrow rose as he assessed me. “Everything alright? You look in pain.” He snorted as he reached up towards me, but I swatted him away and slid off the horse myself.
“More like suffering from a royal pain in my ass.” I murmured under my breath. A laugh slipped from my lips, as I leaned my forehead against the soft fur of his horse in an attempt to hide it.
When palms rested on each side of my forehead and the heat of his body warmed my back, I knew he’d heard me. Caged between his arms, I felt his beard tickle against the side of my neck as he spoke.
“Keep talking like that, Lena, and that can be arranged,” he threatened in a deep voice, rich with promise that I had no doubt he would fulfill.
The heat of his body fled as quickly as it had come, leaving the chilly air to consume the empty space. “Let’s get you inside and get you something to eat. Perhaps something to distract that mouth of yours before it gets you into trouble.” Boots clattered against the stone road as he swaggered away towards the guards who awaited his orders.
Dragging my palms down my face, I sent a prayer to all five gods that I had wiped the blush off along with it. With a deep sigh, I shuffled over to the saddlebags to distract myself by unhooking my satchel.
By the time I had finished, Declan had come up beside me with Liam and Killian in tow.
“How are you feeling, little lady?” Liam’s grin widened as he guided us into the tavern.
“Fantastic,” I drawled sarcastically.
Liam shoulders shook with silent laughter. Declan and Liam approached the bar to speak with what I assumed to be the owner. Killian threw his arm over my shoulder and guided me away from the door. “Glad to see that sass has made a reappearance.” He smiled, and my elbow found purchase in his side. Killian groaned and dropped his arm from around my shoulder. “That, however, I didn’t miss.”
Patrons at the table beside us gave us scowls, which only spurred our laughter more.
“What’s so funny?” a deep voice asked, and both of our gazes shifted towards Declan’s.
“Oh, none of your concern, Your Royal Grumpiness.” I patted his cheek with my palm. “I mean your Highness.”
Liam’s eyes bulged as his fist covered his mouth. Killian just shook his head and folded his arms across his chest as if he knew what would happen next.
Declan leaned in and hovered just in front of my nose. Nerves spread like wildfire inside of me as my teeth clenched down on my bottom lip. His gaze dropped before it reverted towards my eyes. “Lena …”
“Yes, Your Highness?” I said with a little more sarcasm than I had intended.
“Why does something tell me that you’d like for me to carry out my promise from earlier?” He hummed, raising an eyebrow as he awaited my response.
My mouth flapped open and closed like a fish’s, but I found no words. Declan stood back to his full height, arms crossed over his chest, chuckling darkly. “Mmhmm, that’s what I thought.”
Liam interrupted. “They only have a few rooms available, so we’ll have to double up and sleep in rotations. We’ll stable the horses and tell the rest of the men. Killian and I will take the first watch, if you need us at all. You two enjoy your meal.” With a nod, he and Killian strolled out the door, both with grins pasted on their faces.
