Some of us used to command a fifth element—air—before the curse. But for some reason, even though all of our magic comes from the very roots of Everrynd, the elves who commanded the element of air were left powerless. All that remained were fire, water, terra, and verdant magic. And in true elf form, the powerless elves who used to command air were shunned. No one wanted to mate with them anymore and they became outcasts. If there are any left, I haven’t met one. They’d probably keep such a thing quiet out of shame.
“I thought the dragons would smell similar to a fire elemental. They don’t.” Not at all. It’s a much more subtle, smoky scent. Mixed with something else. As opposed to a fire wielding elf who usually smells like… well I don’t really have a word for what they smell like. I just recognize it as a fire wielder when I smell it. It’s completely unique to them, unlike anything I’ve ever encountered in nature or anywhere else.
Sybill’s eyes bulge. She pauses combing halfway down my hair. “You’ve met one already?”
“Yes. Briefly.” I knew when I brought it up she’d immediately be curious. That’s okay. She doesn’t need to know the whole story.
“I… have so many questions.”
“Don’t worry. It was nothing exciting. You’ll see them for yourself tonight.”
“I can’t say I’m not intrigued.”
“They’re definitely… something,” I mumble, the image of the dragon standing above me popping into my mind and filling me with irritation once again.
Silence falls over us as Sybill finishes my hair, braiding half of it along the crown and letting the rest fall in soft curls. She smears onyx powder on my eyelids, making my golden eyes pop, then finishes by adding a light dusting of pink to my cheeks and lips.
I’m ready for the ball.
I shoo Sybill along as kindly as I can so that she has time to get herself ready, offering to help but knowing she’ll decline anyway. When she’s gone I step into my deep purple dress by myself. It’s so dark it’s almost black, and itsparkles in thin swirling trails up the length of it. The neckline plunges deep into my chest, exposing a good portion of the swells of my breasts.
“What do you think, Lemakis?”
I do a twirl, showing off for my glowing, deep violet potted plant that sits on my nightstand. I have no idea what species of plant he is—I’ve researched it thoroughly and can’t find an answer—and he doesn’t grow and doesn’t have eyes, but he’s sentient. I know it. He can move his leaves very slowly and he reacts to certain people. I’m pretty sure he folds his leaves in on himself when he’s not fond of someone.
Why do I refer to him as a male? I don’t know. It’s just a feeling.
I’ve had the small plant my entire life. He was my mother’s before that, I was told. She had the gift of verdancy, and I always wonder if she created Lemakis herself, because I’ve never encountered another plant like him. Not that I travel outside of Ellyar or even the walls of the castle very often.
But I’ll never know for sure if she made him. My father refuses to speak of her most of the time, and no one else in the castle seems to know much about her either. I guess she kept to herself.
I seem to have gained that trait from her.
Lemakis’s leaves expand slowly as if he’s excited, so I take that as a good sign. I rub a leaf with my finger, and he visibly relaxes and leans into it.
“Thanks,” I say. “I’ll see you later.
Chapter 3
Everyone showed up either early or precisely on time for the evening festivities, the grand onyx ballroom with its warm candle lights floating on grand chandeliers already filled with curious eyes and anxious, quiet chatter. The dragon shifters have already arrived. There aren’t many of them, but the separation is clear. The king wouldn’t want too many of them gathered here at once, lest they decide to make a bold move. They congregate in one corner of the grand ballroom toward the front, while over one hundred elves fill the rest of it.
It’s not as if none of us have seen a dragon shifter since the end of the war, but we haven’t seen more than one or two here at a time. Travel to Torrynth is a bit trickier than other regions. We don’t trade with them much, so they’ll usually only come for political matters, then be on their way. Torrynth is deep in the south, past the Deadlands.
I’ve personally never seen one of them up close.
Until recently, that is. And he wasveryclose.
The air is thick with tension and a touch of unease. But as I look around, I realize they’re really not so different from us. Aside from the subtle glowing appearance that many of their eyes seem to hold, their darker clothing with a different type of fabric, slightly taller statures, and their round ears. Even the smallest of them are slightly taller than an average-sized elf. Then again, maybe they simply brought all of their largest, most formidable warriors to intimidate us.
As I study the crowd with an innocent curiosity, I feel that unexplainable feeling that comes when a set of eyes is focusing intensely on you. After only a moment, my eyes lock with the asshole dragon’s from across the room. He’sstanding among them, even taller than most of them with his arms crossed and an almost bored look on his face. He doesn’t react in the slightest when our eyes lock, so I don’t either. He simply holds my gaze, and though nothing changes in his features, I feel a challenge in his stare. I hold it for a moment, letting him know that I won’t be intimidated by him, then look away, trying to mask my curiosity with indifference. I suppose his threat to keep an eye on me wasn’t so empty.
As King Nerion makes his entrance, I check to see if the dragon’s attention is still on me. It’s not. He’s watching the king with an intense, scrutinizing stare. I guess the king is an even bigger enemy than me.
He wastes no time settling in his seat on the dais above everyone, clearing his throat in preparation for a speech.
“My friends,” he begins in a loud, steady voice. It’s commanding, powerful. “Today marks quite the momentous day in our history. As you know, for the first time in hundreds of years, the dragons, with their highest-ranking officials among them, have been invited to stay in the kingdom. I ask that you treat our guests with respect while they are here. Their stay will span many weeks, and this ball is meant to start off their visit with a proper welcome.”
His eyes shift to the dragons, and I don’t miss the threat in his eyes.
