Chapter 46 Ariana #2
We spun around to see a Sidhe emerging from the castle’s entrance.
His hair was so pale it seemed almost bone-white, framing a face that was strikingly handsome—sharp angles softened by a strong jaw and full lips.
His ears tapered to elegant points, and his deep gray eyes, darker than any storm, held a weight that was almost oppressive.
As he approached, his movements were so fluid it seemed as though he were gliding rather than walking. His gaze drifted over the three of us before focusing on me. The air around him grew unnaturally still, heavy with the deep, ancient power that radiated from him.
“It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Ariana,” he said, his voice measured and precise, as if every syllable carried significance. He held out his hand expectantly.
I didn’t need an introduction. I knew who he was. I could feel it in my bones, a truth whispered by the air itself. Still, I had to temper my surprise. The Sidhe King standing before me looked barely older than I was. Yet if the stories held truth, then he had walked this earth for centuries.
Beside me, Edda went ridged.
“Clause,” I said his name in greeting. I was not planning on reciprocating the pleasantries, for it was not a pleasure to be standing before him, not when I did not know why he wished to have a meeting.
I slid my hand into his, and the corners of his mouth turned down, for my hands were covered with gloves. In fact, my entire body was covered, except for my head.
The guide collected all our horses and took them to their stables.
“Come, let’s get you out of this cold.” Gently, Clause led me towards the entrance, gray eyes observing me the entire time.
The authority coming from him was unnaturally intense.
Even the air around him did not stir, and I now moved through that stagnant zone.
It was as if nothing could touch him, not even a breeze if he did not wish it to.
His presence was one of absolute control.
And the way his gaze was leveled at me, stalking me as I moved, it felt like a heavy shackle.
Everything became more complex, even breathing.
I had to suppress the shiver running down my spine.
Clause stepped aside and motioned us to enter the castle.
My jaw nearly dropped when we walked past the open, thick wooden doors into a hall that led into a magnificent room.
I had never been in another room like it.
It was extraordinarily massive and surprisingly warm.
Large stained-glass windows blended effortlessly with the colorful walls.
The soft glow of hundreds of candles framed the room within their golden wall nooks.
Infinitely large, vaulted ceilings enclosed the chamber, and it was not a simple ceiling.
Thousands of variously colored glasses covered the top in an extraordinary mosaic of a serpent in the center, surrounded by gold and blue shards.
There were two stags at the far side looking incredibly regal, and to the other side a lone white wolf.
There was more detail, yearning to be admired, but I tore my eyes away from the exquisiteness of the ceiling when Edda coughed under her breath.
“See something you like?” Clause asked, watching me with clear curiosity.
“It’s beautiful. I have seen nothing like this place before,” I answered in truth, and his head tilted to the side as if he couldn’t quite understand something.
“Please, take a seat.” He gestured to the table, which I had not even noticed within the great room. His gaze followed me as I walked through the space.
I sat between Edda and Landin while Clause took his seat directly across from me.
Food was immediately brought out. The servants did not meet the eye of anyone in the room as it came to life with their swift and silent movements.
It was as if the only thing they were allowed to look at was the table before us or the exit.
Of those whose ears I could see, I took note of the points, marking them as Sidhe.
They all vanished as quickly as they had appeared.
Once the table was nearly overflowing with bread, meats, cheeses, and fruits, we were left to ourselves again.
“Help yourselves to whatever you like,” Clause offered, moving a hand openly over the table. We did as instructed, filling our plates with various foods; though, I found myself hesitant to try any of it.
“This room is a work of art, is it not?” Clause averted his attention, beholding the mosaic on the ceiling. “The craftsmanship is exquisite, standing the test of time.”
Briefly, I followed his gaze. “As I have said, it’s beautiful. Though I doubt you have asked for me to come here to show off your decor.”
His gray eyes dipped back to me. “You are not interested in culture or history?”
“I am far more interested in what you hope to get out of this meeting.”
He smirked, holding my stare. “Interesting choice of words. ‘What I hope to get out of this meeting.’ What makes you think I wish for anything other than simply to meet the new leader of the Bavadrin people?” Resting his elbows on the table, he clasped his hands before him.
“You have never extended an invitation to any of the previous leaders,” I pointed out, trying not to think that he could have likely invited several of the previous Leader Superiors, for he was said to have been that old.
He may have a handsome youthful face, but that had nothing to do with his true age or the powers he was rumored to possess.
If Edda’s suspicions were correct, then I might soon get a glimpse of some of those powers.
Clause’s attention dipped to our plates. “None of you have touched a thing.” It was an obvious change of subject.
But before any of us even had a chance to pick up a single utensil, the door to the room swung open with force and a woman sauntered in.
Her skin was incredibly fair, her blond hair pulled back with a thick braid running down the middle of her back.
Pale eyes met mine coolly before finding Clause and softening, visibly favoring the Sidhe king.
The way she moved, with a predatory grace I had come to know well, I did not need to see her teeth to know she was a Lysian.
But that was not what disturbed me the most.
The metallic smell of blood accompanied her, so pungent that even my Bavadrin nose could scent it.