Elvirund | ✔️

Chapter Thirty Nine

"Well, I suppose it's time to be heading back."

"Probably."

I stood, holding out a hand to her. She took it and rose to her feet, tossing the delivered letter into the underbrush. Aurelia hooted quietly.

"We should read that," I muttered.

"Alright."

Reaching to grab it, I tore the envelope open and unfolded the paper. The contents disgusted me immediately.

"Raphael says they managed to restrain the First Elder and that he'll be executed in two days time. We're to be the executioners."

For whatever reason, I found the idea of executing the First very unappealing. It didn't seem right. I wanted to make him suffer, at least as much as I had, and execution seemed like a placating concession. It was a mercy.

"You're angry. I can see it."

"He doesn't deserve such a peaceful end."

"Perhaps I can threaten Raphael into letting you beat him up."

"That would be too distasteful in the eyes of those watching, if I know anything about Elvirund."

"Fair point."

I raised an eyebrow as I imagined sinking my nails into the First's arm, dragging a whip across his body like his inferiors did to me. Petty revenge was so satisfying, yet so crippling. I wanted so badly to let it consume me.

"Let's head back and bully Raphael about this."

"What good will that do?"

"Alethia, I've convinced him of much more than this."

I wouldn't have known, and out of spite I stayed quiet. Maybe I was too obvious about it, because Caphriel stifled a sigh and laid a hand on my arm.

"I'm sorry."

"I know. I know."

The owl suddenly took off, shrieking once before she was gone. I watched the spot where she had been and looked at Caphriel, who shrugged.

"She goes where she wants. When she wants."

"Now that you mention it that does sound like me."

She laughed and nodded in agreement. We walked through the trees, winding along the path we were creating and finding a spot to get into the air. It wasn't long before there was an opening in the trees and I kicked off in a shower of gray feathers with Caphriel just behind me.

"So how is it being back in the air?"

"I'm drunk on the feeling."

She quietly chuckled and pocketed something from her hand. We both were skilled aerial travelers, so the trip back to the palace was short and easy. As I landed, the voices inside escalated into what sounded like a full on fistfight. I raised an eyebrow at Caphriel and she shrugged.

"We should probably check on everything." I snorted.

"Let's just hope nobody tried to kill anyone else yet."

I pushed open the secret entrance and we wove our way through the halls and stairs to the execution hall, where Sibriel and Eremiel were sitting against the wall. In the middle of the room, Pahaliah was engaged in a fierce debate with Raphael, while a beaten First Elder sat on the floor near them, ankles and wrists tied.

"You can't just do the same thing that he's been doing to us all this time! That just makes you worse than he is."

"And you would have me leave him to the whims of the people? Knowing my daughter she would be at his throat in an instant."