The Queen of Elysium

Chapter 34 - Demons

Darish's ears prick, detecting the approaching click of heels. Instinct has him ducking under the shadowy recess at the bottom of the grand staircase. He doesn't have to wait long until someone starts to ascend. Glancing up through the stair rails, he spies Belinda.

Where is she going? She has no business in this part of the palace. His eyes narrow. I do not care for this girl. She holds too little respect for my queen and spends too much time eyeing the young prince.

Unexpectedly, Belinda halts and gives a little gasp to find that she has company. Even with his exceptional hearing, Darish had not heard the second figure approaching.

"Belinda, is it not?" Nero's unmistakable voice sends a chill through him.

From the sneer on Belinda's face, it does not appear that she wishes to have anything to do with Nero. Not that he blames her. Undeterred, the dark elf leans in and whispers in her ear. Whatever it is, she nods and follows him back down the stairs and along the hallway towards the library.

I cannot believe that they are up to any good. Stealthily, he follows them, making sure not to make a sound. They disappear into one of the function rooms. However, their tête-à-tête is brief, for just as he gets to the door, the handle starts to turn. Not wishing to encounter them, he quickly slips into a powder room.

Once the sound of Belinda's self-important footfalls pass, he deems it safe to emerge and shakes his head at his own failed attempt at espionage.

Having been diverted from a meeting with Elissa, he means to head upstairs, but is stopped in his tracks by an angry voice berating someone for their sexuality. Each accusation cuts through him as though directed at him personally. He stands frozen, caught in a storm of self-loathing and shame.

"You are an offence to nature."

Wood Elves live at one with nature, yet he has always felt a fraud, hiding his true feelings and never being able to openly show love, only ever experiencing secret fumblings in the dark.

Another voice finally responds. He cannot hear the words, but he would recognise Dusk's voice anywhere.

The silken sound of a metal blade being drawn sends a thread of fear through him and spurs him into action. His feet move of their own accord, drawing him towards the confrontation.

Dusk's rich laughter rings out. "Seriously, you are pointing that little thing at me?" His tone implies a direct insult to someone's manhood.

As Darish reaches the open doorway to the library, he is able to see Dusk standing inside, facing away. Dangling limply from the Dragonite's fist is a smaller man, his feet not touching the floor.

The muscles in Dusk's back flex under his shirt as he shakes his former tormentor like a rag doll. "Be careful when you play with fire, for you are sure to get burnt."

"P-please d-do not hurt me," the man croaks out.

Darish's nose wrinkles at the scent of urine and smouldering flesh.

Dusk drops the man on the floor and leaves him in a blubbering heap. He spins around and his fierce yet beautiful face softens slightly as their eyes meet. Darish finds himself immobile as the Dragonite walks towards him.

He bows his head on the pretence of etiquette, but if he is being honest, the main reason is to break eye contact. "My Lord."

"Were you coming to my rescue?" Dusk teases.

Avoiding both the dangerous topic and face, he looks over at the man in the library. "Elissa does not condone prejudice in her court."

"Well, the thing about bullies is that they prey on those they deem weaker than themselves to cover up their own inadequacies. He picked on the wrong man."