Chapter 26
Alandra
I groaned and rubbed my head, the familiar smell of white lily making me uneasy. As my awareness returned, I glanced down at myself and quickly fixed an illusion of Aellein garb, a flowing white dress, to cover my body.
I’d been tossed into a dingy dungeon, its only concession to Aellein standards a small, barred window that allowed a hint of air and light through.
Though my head throbbed, I felt mostly unharmed. I prayed Aerolus was all right, not knowing what had happened to him after the nasty Djinn threw me at two Der warriors and disappeared.
Unfortunately, nothing I’d said had convinced the Der to release me or send for Sava. One minute I stood in Tanselm, the next the Der had me back in Aelle. After throwing me so hard I’d hit my head, they’d left me alone.
Groggy from the smack of my head against stone, I must have blacked out. And now I was left to face imprisonment.
The Aellein dungeon had standards, I was pleased to notice. The cleanliness of the place and the warmth outside made the cell surprisingly temperate.
The stone walls were composed of blue rystone, which was impervious to Mir charms and time stamping. From the walls to the floor and ceiling, to the hard bed and stone table and stools fixed to the floor, everything resisted magical interference.
Grimacing at the ache in my head, I sat up slowly and swung my feet to the ground, made even more conscious of my vulnerability by my bare toes.
“Oh, good. She wakes.”
The slick voice immediately froze me in place. I paled as Sin Garu, the Dark Lord who’d recently almost killed Aerolus and his brothers, appeared before me.
In a place he shouldn’t have been able to teleport.
Unlike the diminished sorcerer I’d helped fling out of Seattle weeks ago, this sorcerer stood tall and straight, pale and beautiful. Long, blond hair, not as light as mine but more gold in color, shone with good health.
He stared at me with disdain. “How are you feeling, purie?” Aerolus’ nickname for me didn’t sit well, coming from his mouth. “Oh, yes, I watched you with your Storm Lord lover, you delicious little creature.” His blue eyes darkened to black as he neared and loomed over me. “For a petite female, you have the most remarkable figure. What wonderful breasts. And such a tiny waist. The Wind Mage must love fucking you.”
He licked his lips, and I stared, wondering if I’d see fangs like his brother’s.
I really hoped I could escape this mess whole. Without bite marks.
Seeing my attention, he smiled, showing even, white teeth. No fangs. “Have no fear, Alandra. I’m no blood drinker,” he said with disgust. “Their kind, frankly, sickens me.”
Did his brother, Balen, know that? Could I use their discord to my advantage?
“Why are you here?” I asked in a polite voice.
“Such fine manners.” He chuckled and sat next to me on the hard bed. His knee brushed mine, reminding me that the dress I appeared to wear was only an illusion.
“I’ve come because you matter, my dear. The magic within you is one key to unlocking control of Tanselm. But of course, you knew this.” He eyed me shrewdly. “Were you hoping for a deal from Balen? You must know he’ll take what he wants, regardless. I’m not so foolish to think I can control an Aellei possessing Storm Lord blood.”
Something about my bonding with Aerolus had changed me. I knew it! But I didn’t feel very different. Though my heart thundered, I remained composed. I had to get out of this mess without dying.
I smiled. “No, you’re not at all foolish. A bargain, perhaps?”
“You’re much more intelligent than your aunt gives you credit for.” Sin Garu nodded with approval. “Then again, you can’t afford to be choosy in here, can you?”
“As you say. I have a seemingly limited array of choices. What did you have in mind?”
He gave me a thorough study, but it didn’t feel sexual, despite what he’d already said. I had a feeling he saw through my illusion. But he didn’t move closer, thank the Shadow.
“My brother will come to claim you soon. When he does, go along with him. He’ll try to drink your blood, but you mustn’t let him.”
As if I would.
He must have read my expression, because he shook his head and said, “That was a stupid thing to say, wasn’t it? Look, Alandra, I know you’re fond of Aerolus. Truth be told, of all the Storm Lords, he’s the least offensive. Love him all you like. But in the end, you are of Shadow, and he’s not. Like me, you crave the Dark. And while we may not agree about Tanselm’s future, you at least concede that the Dark should be able to coexist with the Light.”
