Page 112 of A Dose of Agony
A chill inch up my body the farther we walk in darkness. I can’t see anything, but this time, Jarron’s arms carefully guide me.
It gets colder and colder until we reach a doorway and enter a large circular room with glowing blue stalactites dripping from the ceiling.
“Beautiful,” I whisper, staring up at the stones. My breath comes out in a puffy white cloud. It’s still dark but more like a moon-brightened night sky, rather than pitch blackness.
Jarron leads me to a fur rug where he lowers to his knees, wings tucked in behind him.
I do not miss how astounding it is that I am here right now. In the Orizian palace next to the crown prince.
Jarron snaps his fingers, and a fire roars to life in a small opening I hadn’t seen. Warmth seizes me quickly. “We’ve had many human visitors to this part of our world, so even though it is colder than you’re used to, we know how to manage it,” he tells me. “Still, tell me if you’re ever uncomfortable.”
I kneel on the fur and look around the room. There are several figures lining the shadows that I can’t quite make out. Some at least ten feet tall, others only a few feet tall.
“There are loyal guards here. You will be protected above all else.”
A small, winged creature, who looks a bit like a miniature High Orizian or a goblin with wings, lugs over a black cauldron, already steaming, and sets it in front of the fire.
A deep feminine voice carries through room, using words and sounds I can barely make out. A large female High Orizian enters the room, followed by a man I recognize.
Emil Blackthorn.
Jarron’s father looks remarkably close to what I am used to—salt-and-pepper beard, light-brown skin, pointed ears and a very human pant suit. The fierce winged Orizian next to him must be the queen.
That’s my mother, Jarron confirms through our link.She holds her head high. Her long limbs covered in leathery skin, move smoothly.
The King and Queen of Oriziah have arrived. I’ve never seen Jarron’s mother in her demon form, but there is a sense of recognition. I can’t tell if it comes from me or from Jarron.
She’s speaking in High Orizian, and though I’ve been studying hard, I’m still not exactly fluent. Jarron automatically translates the words to English through our link. I hear the foreign chattering first, then the translation after.
“Welcome to our home, witches of the plains,” the queens voice echoes against the stone walls, as do the groups steps as the witches enter the room.
Another High Orizian, and a familiar red-skinned demon enter after them.
Trevor and Laithe.
The full royal family is here.
“Welcome, Candice!” Emil says, his eyes bright and smile wide. “Words cannot express how happy we are to have you join us in this way.”
I return the smile, happy to have at least one other being in the room who doesn’t make me want to run and hide.Laithe nods in my direction.
Nimsete, Candice. We’ve been waiting for this moment.I inhale sharply at the strange voice in my mind.
Laithe?
Their eyes shine with amusement. They take a seat between me and the fire so that I am surrounded by trusted protectors.
We are both now magically linked with Jarron. Amazing.
Laithe will not use that link often, but it does exist if ever needed,Jarron explains.
The three witches file in. I couldn’t tell them apart if I tried.
“Yes, Candice, we are so pleased to see you,” the female Orizian says, her voice rumbling.
“Thank you,” I say awkwardly. The witches eye me closely before lowering themselves to the ground across from Jarron and me.
Trevor sits beside Jarron, followed by their parents, and then the three witches across from us.
