The Awakening (First in the Dynasty Cycle)

Chapter Seven

“Where do you suppose we are?” Walter asked softly, arms bound behind him as he walked up next to his friend.

“Good question. I’d have to say we went through a portal into another universe.” They were standing in a large receiving room inside an even larger castle.

It had been as if they’d stepped through a rip in time to the Dark Ages, only there were no castles in America.

“You’re serious aren’t you?” The man that had captured them, his name was Thamoir, shoved the pair forward, hissing in annoyance.

“You will be silent as His Majesty approaches. Do not speak unless spoken to.” That order almost brought a sarcastic retort to Walter’s lips, but one look from his friend had him silenced.

A large set of double doors opened and a procession of people stepped out. They were what Starla would place as nobles judging by their fine clothing, but the person who caught her attention most was the man who led them. He had wavy, shoulder length black hair and dark, empty yellow eyes. His features were fine and aristocratic, his nose never broken and his chin strong. His ears were longer than the others, and they twitched with each step he took.

“Yes, Walter I am very serious. I do believe that we are in a different dimension. Look at him, look at the man who captured us! Their ears twitch, so either it’s the real thing or just really, really good fakes.” Starla whispered to her friend, who followed her line of sight.

“Well I’ll be damned…” Walter sighed, flexing his hands in an attempt to return circulation to them.

“I said you will be silent!” Thamoir snarled, as one hand rose to strike the girl across the face. The redhead growled, a low primal sound as his body jerked forward and his eyes narrowed dangerously, but the guards shoved him back away from the pair.

“That is not how we treat our guests at this castle, especially not one as beautiful as this.” She knew without having to look that the voice came from the king, but Starla raised her eyes to his in a defiant gesture.

He watched back in amusement for a brief moment, before turning back to face Thamoir, who was flushed with embarrassment. That instant was all she needed to recognize him as the boy from her drawing. Breath shallow, she watched her drawing-come-to-life walk up to them, pausing to offer Starla a low bow.

“My apologies, my lady. Would you be so kind as to grace us with your name, and that of your companion?” His voice was well cultured, but she could hear the mockery behind it.

“My name is Starla Smith, Majesty, and this is my friend Walter Stevens.” She answered with a respectful nod of the head, back stiffened with pride.

She refused to bow to anybody.

“What strange clothing you and your companion wear, I take it you must not be from around here, Lady Starla?” The king inquired, taking her arm and leading her to the dining halls.

Starla cast a worried look back at her friend, breathing in a sigh of relief when she saw that he was following. Walter gave her a reassuring nod, his eyes flitting around the room uneasily. This place was designed for opulence, not function. The windows were too high, and were there a fire; they would offer no easy escape. As for the doors, they were too large, thick and cumbersome to open quickly. It was not the sort of abode he would have expected an elf to live in. He did notice however, a smaller doorway, most likely that led to the kitchens or the servants’ quarters. Perhaps, they could escape out through there.

“If you even try to run, I’ll cut you down where you stand, human.” Thamoir’s voice whispered like a snake in his ear crushing Walter’s hopes, and he cut a scathing look to the blonde man, before continuing to sit next to Starla.