Page 97 of One Last Promise
“Donotdefend her!”
“You should leave soon.If anyone discovers you can get into my chamber, my fatherwillgo to war.”
“I will leave, but this conversationisn’tfinished.You are pushing me away because you’re scared, and I understand that more than you know.”I tried to break the connection between us, but his lips were still too close to mine.“Alora, you are something I couldnevergive up on.Saving you in the Barren Lands was the most selfless thing I have ever done, and I’d do it over and over again if I had to.”He wiped a few stray tears from my face.“Iwillbe back soon.If you need me at any time, you know what to do.”Darce breathed against my mouth, stroking the bracelet on my wrist before pecking me on the lips.
He took one last look at me before shadows surrounded him and he was gone.
****
KNOWING NO ONE WOULDbe looking for me for a few hours at least gave me a little time to think.Giving up Darce wasn’t an option, I knew that, but keeping him safewasa priority.The Books of Elder World held the key somehow, but we needed time to decipher the information.Ihadto get my hands on the Dylin copy, if only to look at it for a few short moments.
Getting changed, I made my way towards the outskirts of the city, using the old palace tunnels.Because they were lying in the fresh green grass, I heard Loki and Enyo before I saw them.They must have picked up my scent.The two crazy hell dryads came into view, looking larger than I remembered, but it was probably because I had been used to Boulder’s smaller size.They licked my face before jumping around me, making it difficult to stand up.
“Give her some room, you two,” I heard Noor chuckle, but I couldn’t see her through my two giant fluff balls.
“I missed you both, too,” I giggled, finally finding Noor’s face.She offered her hand, helping me up and pulling me into a tight hug the moment I was vertical.
“Praise Holy Ether!I’ve been so worried.”Noor sighed in my ear.“I had visions of you being locked in a dungeon the entire time.”
“Far from it.Eallarim...Noor, it’s beautiful.Darce, well, he wasmorethan hospitable.”Loki and Enyo nuzzled me as we began to walk back to the palace.Uri would have seen my return now that I was out in the open.“How has it been here?”
“Xavier is still plotting behind the scenes to make your father bond the two of you.He’s been drilling the army to prepare for war, too.”Noor eyed me suspiciously.“You look different.Do I even want to know why?”
“I’ve been training with Noxlins for an entiremonth.”She raised an eyebrow at me.“That is all I will tell you.It’s best if you don’t knoweverythingI’ve been up to.”
“Agreed.”
****
MY FATHER GREETED MEback with welcome arms, desperate to hear what I had discovered.It was easy to lie to him.I explained that Darce had kept me inside the palace, and only changed my appearance the few times I had wandered just outside the grounds.I told him that it would take time for the Noxlin to trust me.That was what Darce and I needed: time to work out how and why our two races began this battle of power.
“You have done well, my daughter.”My father clapped his hands in rejoice.“We will give Holy Ether extra blessings today for your safe return.Uri has seen that this Noxlin will allow you to stay for a week every month with him.You will break him down and learn all his secrets.War is set three hundred years from today.”Uri had visualised this?I knew his visions were subjective and could change, but any kind of war in three hundred years wasn’t good.
“Yes, Father,” I muttered, keeping my cover.I bowed my head in respect.“I can not wait to bring down the male that killed my mother.”I now knew that person was in this room.My father and Xavier might not have physically killed Duska, but their need for power had.
“Come!We have put on a wonderful spread to celebrate your return.”Elin came into view, giving me a fake smile as she opened her arms to me.
“You look well, Alora.Who knew being in the shadows could make one look so radiant,” she observed, hugging me but with little contact.
“It would appear they have a very rich diet.I was very well looked after.”
“Tell us about the Noxlin palace.I am sure it’s not as luxurious as this.”She gestured around at all the splendour.“I imagine it’s simply a large cave they like to call a palace.”
“It’s worse than you could ever imagine.The race is primitive.”
“How much did you see of the royal dealings?”My father asked, helping himself to the display of fresh fruit.There was enough food here to feed over a hundred of our kind, yet I only counted ten of my race here.Why had I not noticed this greed before?The palace always had the best crops and the more superior fruits and meats.
“Not much.I mostly duelled with the Noxlin and his two close friends.They kept any talk about their kind private.”
“You have time to wear him down.Use thatcharmof yours,” Elin sneered, her eyes dropping down my body.“How could the Noxlin resist such a delicate little flower?”I was about to respond but Xavier burst into the room, rage burning in his eyes.
“Was there a reason I wasn’t informed that Alora had returned?”he seethed, storming over to me.“We must check that she’s still pure.”My body went rigid as I searched for the nearest weapon.Uri and Xavier wouldnottouch me this time.Looking down at the bracelet on my wrist, I remembered I had other options, too.
“You have stepped out of line, General!Know your place!”My father bellowed.“None of that is necessary.Alora had already proven herself.”Relief flooded me.Noor was tilting her head, watching me, as was Elin.
“You honestly think thatscumkept his hands to himself for an entiremonth?”
“The Noxlin kept his hands to himself more than you,Xavier,” I goaded, giving him a side smirk as he lunged for me.
