Page 10 of Blood Lord

This human is the embodiment of all that I wish I had in my life: beauty, innocence, mystery. I have to have her.

"You will be mine," I whisper.

And I will do anything it takes to make that true.

6

Selene

Ihold out the last note, letting it softly decrescendo so that it fades out with the music, and just as the last measure plays out, the audience leaps to their feet.

It's a rare moment for dark elves to whistle and clap for a human, not menacingly or jokingly but to truly appreciate their talents.

And I live for this moment.

The smattering of applause fills me with life, and I swell with pride beneath their praise. Warmth floods me from the joy, and my smile is so wide that my cheeks hurt.

I had promised Nielmor I would do well, but I have never received a reaction like this. He was right when he said that many of them had come for me, and those that didn't weren't disappointed, either.

My eyes wander over the crowd as I take it all in, and that kernel of hope in my heart throbs. Even as I try to squash it down, I can't help but wonder if my knight in shining armor is in the crowd tonight.

Maybe he was so taken with my voice he'll take me out of here and give me a real platform, not like what Aaron is talking about—a life on the run. He is foolish to think I can perform if I leave Nielmor like that, but if I am bought out of the circus, I could grow. Maybe even on the other continents.

And maybe I want someone to love me, too. Nielmor has a soft spot for me but he's unhinged. He is nothing like the man who would give me a stage just to see me happy, to love me and protect me so that I could live a good life.

Is that really so much to ask for?

But as I scan the audience, no one stands out to me. Their looks of lust—and even a little admiration—fill me to the brim with pride. But none of them look at me with hope or kindness or desire—not for my heart at least.

So, when Nielmor comes out to thank the crowd on my behalf, I offer them a little curtsey, and twirl off stage, pushing them into an uproar. They continue on as Nielmor bids them a goodnight, and the cheers only start to diminish as he follows me off-stage, though they do not fade away entirely.

Nielmor's arm drops down around my shoulders, and he squeezed me tight. "You did great tonight, my little star!" He snaps his fingers and the curtains fly open. "Absolutely stunning."

"Thank you," I answer back, but I don't think he even hears me.

"Not that you wouldn't make a beautiful harp." He laughs out, throwing his head back and howling like he just told the funniest joke ever heard. "But I think I'll keep you in this form!"

We walk through where the other performers are, and he slams his heel into the ground. A low ring of fire tracks around us, and he spins me around, gasping at the way the fire lights up my dress.

"Stunning!" With another stamp of his foot, the flames lick lower and turn blue. "Look what I created!"

I take it all with a soft giggle, knowing that as wild as Nielmor is, he truly is pleased. And to please him is to survive.

Besides, I am well-rewarded when he is, and tonight's show's success will likely land on my shoulders in his eyes.

But to the others, I am a pest. They see me as someone who steals all the credit that I haven't earned when I am the only one with any true talent. I don't wish for them to undergo such cruel punishment from the ringmaster, but just like them, I didn't ask for this role.

I was just lucky enough to fall into it.

Nielmor continues spouting about how I will bring in dozens more shows and how everyone should be grateful to me. And then, in typical Nielmor fashion, he abruptly stops, the smile falling from his face as he glares around the circle that has gathered around us.

"Well? What are you all staring at? Do you want to lose those eyes? Maybe become a pair of spectacles to be passed around the crowd? Huh? Get to cleaning!" He storms off, annoyed that the circus is not packed the second the thought occurs to him.

This is how every night ends.

I swear I'm around Nielmor so much that I can decipher his thoughts better than he can, and we all pitch in, even as the others grumble. The nightly clean up is so well ingrained in all of us that we are able to finish in under half an hour, all the ropes tied up, the fabrics folded and packed onto the cart, and all of our acts' props stacked beside the wagon.

Most of the other circus members talk about wandering off to find a bottle or two to get through; sometimes they even bring the freakshow along just to give them some company. All of them together can pull a few bottles of elven wine, and that should give them a good night.

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