The Elven King's Consort

Chapter 47: Weapons

The feeling of being caught in a corner engulfed my entire being. I felt unwanted. Those eyes watched me from afar, but it felt like he stood right before me, growling and baring his sharp teeth. And I was small and weak, unable to move. He was making sure I understood that I was a nuisance and that he wanted me to leave—at least, that's how I took it—but I couldn't and wouldn't, too stubborn and strong-willed regardless of how dangerous this wolf was.

I stood my ground, back straight, and chin up, showing him that he didn't frighten me, but really, inside, I was petrified. It was against my will that I felt fear. It was all because of his alpha-dominant stench that wrapped around me and held me still by the throat. My hands intermingled together, fidgeting, but they were hidden behind the long sleeves of the dress I was provided this morning. Thankfully, he couldn't see how he made me feel.

But my heart was giving me away; it throbbed violently and raced even as I tried to look elsewhere or think of something other than this feeling. He could hear it; I know it. Those ears of his are sharp and sensitive. My breaths began to come in shorter the more I tried to concentrate on the fear squeezing the life out of my chest. His rumbling, deep, smooth voice sounded, his eyes never leaving my direction.

"They say that King Václav has returned to the palace tower."

"He's regrouping. I'm afraid he's going to do something extremely reckless," Cesteil said, leaning against the wooden table and glancing down at the map.

"What do you suppose he'll do?"

"I'm not sure, Demetri. But we must gain the upper hand to ensure this plan works out."

Clenching my teeth, I willed Demetri to look elsewhere. Why was he releasing his stench so thickly? It was almost as if he felt threatened. Damn it, I need to calm down. It was so hard to breathe, and I didn't want to leave. I had all the right to be here. But more of this and I'll faint; my heart was reaching its limit.

Finally, he calmed, looked away, and leaned over the map, picking up a flat red disc and placing it on top of the Elven Kingdom.

"We'll gather around here in a few nights. My scouts have informed me there's a weakness: After he left the kingdom searching for the two of you, he's let his guard down upon returning."

"Careful," Cesteil warned, meeting the king's gaze without fear; Demetri smirked, "It may be a trap."

"I've thought about this, but what choice do we have? If we want to dethrone the bastard, we may need to eliminate a few on the way."

"Yes, but we should dispose of the bodies unnoticed. They may have another set of guards patrolling after the first in case of an ambush. If that happens, we get caught."

"We'll send in more behind us then to remove the bodies and clear the front. Let's move stealthily and silently. Once you two enter, the group I placed to accompany you will stay behind and keep watch. I'll go in with some of my closest people on the other side. We can meet in the tower where he stays and from there reconnect."

Cesteil nodded, pushing himself off the table. He turned and motioned for me to follow. We headed out, but not before I felt a chill run down my spine. When I turned, Demetri stared me down. He looked serious but not threatening. His lips moved, his voice low, whispering. Why does he have to do that all the time?

"Good luck."

I turned around and walked briskly to catch up to Cesteil, feeling dumbfounded. Was the lycan king kind to me just now? No way, that's absurd. Cesteil rounded a few corners before abruptly stopping, and I nearly collided with him. Halting, confused, he now faced me; he stared at me, his hand resting on his chin, thinking.