The Enchanting Rapture (#1)

Chapter 9

Soren

     The rain was down full force, drenching Soren mercilessly. Thick clouds were rolling with waves of dull grey, blocking out all possible light.

     He pulled the blades off his body and commanded them straight into the air. They hung around him as though strung up by rope. The group of soldiers paused a lengthy distance away by a sharp command from Malani. This time, only she advanced. 

     Each step spilled with ferocity.

     Each breath was a threat, a challenge.

     Malani was towering, but so were all Royal Fae. She had the common beauty of any female, but Malani's buzz cut was what diversified her from the rest. She carried the savagery of a starved animal, yet her curled lips illustrated a raw confidence that few people achieved, but Soren had to bitterly admit that his family were a part of the 'few' group. 

     Malani's womanly curves lacked volume, but the missing detail only added to her severity. Dark brown leather clung from neck to ankle, defining each feature without apology. A bow and arrow was slung across her shoulders, a reminder that it was she who took the shot.

     Soren met her crystal blue eyes, the eyes of Soren's father. Their father.

     She scowled, knowing he could see her perfectly. Her hatred for him was clear, almost solid enough to touch. Though, Soren did not fancy her much either. 

     "Soren, aren't you a sight for sore eyes," Her voice was deep with distaste, so different than Annika's. She strode forward in a fierce pattern, feet slapping almost abusively against the soaked floor.

     The air around her pulsed with a great pending warning. Soren knew Malani to be attracted to any situation involving violence. Her thirst for inflicting pain was unquenchable and sickening.

     "You missed," Soren announced flatly as he gestured lazily to his bleeding arm, "you never miss." Oh, Soren's aggravation was only warming up. 

     Malani laughed nastily as her trek came to a halt once she reached within distance of the raised blades. "Of course I don't, but I had to give a warm welcoming, didn't I?"

     "Now," Malani began as she started to walk around Soren, "it's been a while, Soren, since I've seen you. Why is it now that you've reappeared? I was hoping you were rotting in a ditch, food for the bugs, but alas, here we are." 

     Soren breathed in and out evenly. Malani had a gift for rapidly wearing his patience thin. "Surely my return to the city is negotiable." Malani hated it when Soren remained calm, which is why he became so good at it. 

     She chuckled as though Soren told an amusing story. "You know our father wants his little champion back. And when he desires something... well, you know how that works Soren, don't you?" 

     "Are you proposing you can force me to come?" Soren struggled to remain civilised, but he could not fight the desire of challenging her in at least the slightest. Malani never could resist a dare. 

     "Father said to bring you back alive," Malani admitted as she paused to stand in front of him once more, her voice was tight with venom, "but he didn't say you had to be in one whole piece." 

     Soren forced the blades to all point towards her. "A threat?" He was prodding a severely pissed off bear, and Soren sure as hell did not care. 

     Malani rolled her eyes when she glanced at the sharp weapons. Her brown hair seemed so much darker under the colorless sky. "Do you feel threatened? Do you fear me? I might hate your existence, but I'd be honored to be the one who makes you shiver with terror at night. Though you wouldn't know much about honor would you? You practically spit on the the royal family each day you are away! And let me remind you, it's been years!" Her voiced rasped with loathing. No one had ever hated Soren so deeply.