Page 73 of Rising Out of the Darkness
There was still a vibrance of life here, but its luster had begun to wane. Children ran laughing through the street around us, some wearing shoes so worn that their toes peeked out. Merchants stood outside with carts only half full of products to sell due to the tariffs Alastor issued. While we lived comfortablyin our lavish castle, the rest of the city was struggling to put dinner on the table.
It was one thing to observe my city with my own eyes, but no one could have prepared me for the feelings I would get watching it through Elena’s. Her eyes gleamed as she took in the city, pausing every so often in front of a merchant, dazzling them with her charm.
They adored her, placing pastries, bracelets, and even a pair of earrings into her palms. Of course, my compassionate Wildfire tried her best to turn them down, telling them she couldn’t possibly take their hard-earned pieces for free. The merchants hushed her, telling her how honored they would be for the Light Phoenix to have something of theirs. A smile tugged at my lips every time she thanked them profusely, often to the point where I had to pull her away to keep us walking towards the pub.
Even when the looks turned disgruntled towards my captains and I, she surprised me, inching closer towards me or pulling me into her as they spoke, forcing them to interact with me in a more positive manner.
The gesture ignited a flame inside of me that I hadn’t felt in a very long time. Every time I glanced at her beautiful face, she continued to melt my cold heart. She was like no one I have ever met before. This woman challenged me at every turn and had so much compassion and strength inside of her, strength that she didn’t even believe that she had. There was a deep-seated need within me to help her realize it for herself.
It had become increasingly hard to resist the pull that I felt in my chest, the one that tugged me towards her whenever she was around. My entire world shifted when she entered the room, and I was desperately struggling to maintain my balance. Elena had no idea the power that she held over me.
Reality cut me deep as a man shoved against my shoulder and shouted, “Go wash the blood off your hands!”
Rage snarled through my lips, and my shadows rippled from my arms as my fist wrapped around his throat.
He spit onto my tunic while yelling towards Elena, “Stay away from him, all he brings is destruction.”
My grip tightened around his throat until he made a choking sound.
A meek voice reached my ears. “Dec…don’t.” Lena’s eyes were wide, but not full of fear. They were full of concern. For me.
I lowered the man to his feet and shoved him away. As he scurried away, I wiped the spit off my tunic with a cloth from my pocket. The concern on her face grew.
How could I give this woman all of me when I was nothing but a shell of my former self? Too much darkness resided in my soul. It would shatter all that was good about her. I didn’t even love the person I was, so how could I give her the all-encompassing love that she rightfully deserved?
A sting formed behind my eyes, but I reined it in, tugging it back down into the depths and locking it away. No one needed to see those dark parts of me. Tonight, I’d put that away and embrace the little bit of light for however long she would grace me with her presence.
Elena
Apiece of my heart chipped when the man tore Declan’s grin from his face. Especially when the man told him that all he brought about was destruction, words that I had spoken aboutmy own self only a few days ago. One more thing that Declan and I seemed to have in common.
It had taken all my energy to remain calm when others had given him scowls or whispered disparaging words as we stopped at the merchants’ booths. I was well aware that the man wiping the spit off his tunic before me must have a troubled past, but the more I got to know him, the less I could wrap my mind around why there was so much animosity towards him. Especially when he had more compassion in his pinkie than either his father or Alastor. Things just didn’t add up.
Even though it was evident there was a clear line between the affluent and underprivileged within this city, it somehow still felt full of such vibrance and light, it astounded me. Some of the merchants had genuine, vivacious personalities. They lured me in with bright smiles and thoughtful words. Their carts being sparse with products, and clothes showing signs of wear, made this place feel a little like home. There were people still struggling inside the capital walls as well.
Declan shoved the cloth into his pockets. When he caught my gaze, it was as if the frustration in his body shifted elsewhere. His shoulders relaxed and his feet found their way towards me. As I spread the widest smile I could across my face, his own lips lifted. He took my shoulder and guided me towards the rest of our group. Together, we made our way inside the Electric Eel tavern.
For a quaint little tavern on the outside, the inside was bursting with vitality. Musicians played a lively tune, while others danced in front of the large hearth. As we entered, some patrons vacated their seats. Liam shook his head as they passed, none of them acknowledging us. It was almost like they were scared to do so.
Nayla and Clara tugged me to join the dance while the men found us a table large enough to contain us all.
They twirled and swung their hips back and forth to the music as I stood to the side smiling and clapping to the beat. As fun as it looked, I’d never really danced before and I wasn’t about to embarrass myself by flailing around on the dance floor. Nayla frowned as soon as she observed me being a wallflower. Linking her arm around mine, she pulled me in and started to help me sway back and forth in time with the music. Eventually, my body took over, and we each took turns twisting and turning each other as we bounced up and down to the lively tune.
We were exhausted by the time the song ended, so we made our way back to the table. Each of them slid into a seat, leaving only one spot left for me.Thanks, ladies.
I slid into my wooden chair with a little more vigor than intended, causing me to bump shoulders with Declan. The contact sent a bolt of lightning sizzling through my body. To cover my gasp, I took a hefty swig of the pint of ale in front of me. Liam concealed his grin within his glass.
A woman with long, striking blonde hair approached the table, leaning over to talk with Nayla and Clara. As I sipped my ale, I pretended to be focused on the men’s conversation rather than the one that was going on next to me.
“I’ll make them some more potent elixirs tomorrow and bring them to you.” Clara spoke softly.
“It’s started to spread. We’re up to four now.” The blonde’s eyes fell to the table. “I’m afraid that we won’t be able to save them if we can’t figure out what is making them ill.”
Nayla placed a hand on the woman’s shoulder. “I wish there was a way to get Clara out there.” The woman nodded in agreement, and Clara’s lashes fluttered closed.
Wherever this place was must have been outside of the capital, or her body would not be drooping with remorse. Nayla lifted her glass to change the subject.
“We should play a drinking game,” Nayla suggested, as Clara knocked her glass of ale to hers in agreement.
