The Mountains Blade

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen- Brothers 

Elwyn opened her mouth to apologize but Evander quickly cut her off. 

"Walk with me." He said. 

Elwyn felt inclined to argue but her curiosity and instincts told her not to. 

Evander tucked his hands into his pant pockets, the fabric of his jacket pushing back as he did so. He looked devilishly handsome.

Elwyn scolded herself for such a thought. The sound of their shoes and Elwyns dress gliding across the black marble swallowed the awkward silence. 

She followed after the wolf king, careful to tuck her blade back into her pocket. It was not an ideal place but it would have to do, creator above was she grateful that the person who made this dress gave her pockets. 

Elwyn slowed her pace as they neared the end of the dark hallway and climbed up a black, almost invisible in the dimness, set of stairs. As they came to the top, noise began to fill the room again, distant and muttered. The light that alluded from the room was marvelous. It felt like she had stepped into a dream. As Elwyn stepped into the room, she wondered to herself what other mysterious wanders this castle held. 

The room was massive, a glass dome, set on the edge of the mountain. 

Outside, the party that extended into the back gardens was alive and shining with candles and a massive bonfire that was all shades of color. Elwyn watched as the people of the wolf kingdom, laughed and danced, a merry band playing the violin and cello exuberantly. 

Elwyn drank up the sight, balking at the difference between the people. There were shapeshifters, fairies, elves and wolves, dancing together. 

"I thought you didn't let any outsiders join your club." Elwyn remarked sardonically. 

Evander curled his lip some at her, maybe a smile or a snarl. 

He ignored her for a moment, allowing her to take in the view of the rest of the room. 

If she had thought that the previous room was gorgeous, this was astounding in its beauty. 

There was a grand black piano in the middle of the room, ivy sat atop it and a small stack of musical scores. The piano shone, the chair was worn in, and the keys sparkled with polish. There were shelves of books lined from the ceiling to the floor, it was dusted and polished, a small coffee and tea station, placed against one of the windows facing the city beneath the mountain. 

Elwyn looked back to the crowd, drawn away from her amazement, feeling suddenly transparent to the dozens of strangers below. She knew they did not like her. 

"They can't see you, all they see are black windows."

Elwyn glanced at Evander as he sat at the piano. He leaned his elbow against the top of it, rotating to face her. "They don't like humans, as I am sure you determined."

Elwyns stomach sunk. "I know." She grumbled, glaring at the dark king. 

"They also don't like witches, vampires or the fallen."

Elwyns attention peaked at his statement. She moved to the window, the dim light of the piano room making it easy to see the laughing expression of people. She tensed as she saw Dane in the midst, his eyebrows were pulled together tightly as he said something to Aldric. The princes dark blonde hair bounced back as he threw his head back and let out what she could only call an evil laugh. 

"You don't like my brother." Elwyn whirled, Evander was now inches from her face, towering over her, looking down at her with intensity. Elwyns pulse went sporadic and she could taste her own fear as she spoke. 

"I don't know him." She said. 

Evander placed either hand on both sides of her, pinning her against the glass. She was beyond thankful that it was not transparent. 

The lights in the room seemed to dim in response. 

"Why are you here?" 
Elwyn blinked up at Evander a moment before she responded. "Because you sent your brother to kidnap my sister and I was her replacement so that a full out war wouldn't start." She hissed. 

Evanders confused expression, unsettled Elwyn as he began to pace around the room. 

Elwyn took several, noticeable steps away from the king. "I suspected as much by your response when you first woke up. My brother likes his evil little games." Evander ran a hand through his hair, his face pinching as he gravitated towards the piano and gripped the painted body. 

"You didn't tell him to do that?" 

Evander opened his mouth to respond when a presence appeared behind her. 

The hairs on her neck stood up and every fiber of her being screamed at her to run. Aldric Kane placed a smooth, uncalloused hand on her bare skin, in-between her neck and shoulder. 

Elwyn stiffened and her mouth shut as his hand dug into her flesh. "What are you talking about with my brother, little mouse." 

Elwyn turned to look at him and wished she hadn't. His eyes were ice, threats hanging in the open air. 

Elwyn gulped, his attention turning to her throat and then her face. A smile crept across his face and Elwyn slid her hand into her pocket. His other hand wrapped around her, making it seem like a sort of romantic gesture as he leaned into her, snatching the blade from her and angling it against the small of her back. "If you say anything else, you will be paralyzed for the rest of your life."

Elwyn glared at him, only making his wicked smile grow. 

"Aldric, you kidnapped her." Evanders voice was dark, Elwyns skin crawled in response. 

Aldric slightly tensed but he continued smiling in an effort to seem unbothered. 

"I was getting the other sister for you but I ended up with the boring one." Aldric said disgusted. 

Elwyn struggled against him, stabbing her heel into his foot. "You little-." 

Evander was inches from Aldric in seconds, his hands wrapped around his throat, as Elwyn stumbled away in shock. 

"You lay a hand on her and I will cut off your hands." 

Aldric coughed and nodded. 

Evander dropped him to the ground, his maroon suit wrinkling in the process. He stood up quickly, dusting himself off. "Why would you want her, she's nothing. I figured since she wasn't the one I originally picked for you, I could keep her." 

Evanders eyes blazed with barely held in rage. Elwyns own expression mirrored his. "Aldric, leave before I do something that both of us will regret." 

Aldrics jaw ticked and he schooled his expression. 

He turned, walking past Elwyn, looking at her with the silent promise that this was not over.