Chapter Five
“Ah, there you are. Orisola, the master of brewing himself.”
The voice entered the room like a king, sweeping around us like the touch of a slithering snake, and squeezing tight, sending shivers down my spine.
Nilsorn had guarded the realms since the early years of Starshine, and there was not a soul alive who could escape this man.
From the pits of Hades to the gates of Paradise, Nilsorn saw all.
While the Realm Guard before him had ruled with peace and a calming presence, this was not the case with how he ruled.
His dark piercing eyes, his flowing white hair, and the horns that adorned those of the sable race sat atop his head like a crown.
The song I’d sung for Aleixo minutes earlier came to mind.
Nilsorn was the very reason the descriptor for a sable had been changed to conniving.
For before such times as these, they were described as willowing, given their destiny of being realm guards.
Those days had passed, and there would be no return.
Sables lived hundreds of years, and we were barely into our third decade with Nilsorn.
“R-Realm Guard,” Father stuttered, fear showing in his eyes. “I have not seen you in these parts.”
“You’re seeing me now.” The smooth voice circled Father as Nilsorn took a step closer to where we stood. I could feel his eyes on me, and he paused, tilting his head. “Is this your daughter?”
“One of them,” Father rushed. “My other two have married. She is the one who remains, until today, that is—”
Nilsorn raised one hand. “Words from you are no longer required. I came here in search of someone…an individual who has crossed realms. My journey has led me here.”
I looked over at Aleixo, but he was nowhere to be seen. Odd. I glanced behind the counter and noted him slowly opening a cabinet door, his finger to his lips.
It wasn’t that I wanted to protect him—that wasn’t it at all.
I could turn him in and be free of the worry of an engagement.
Surely, the Realm Guard knew of a spell that released me from this foolish binding.
But then why couldn’t I open my mouth and speak?
Why did I feel some strange loyalty to this human?
“A fugitive in our realm?” Father’s eyes widened as Nilsorn leaned closer still.
“Precisely.” Nilsorn’s gaze landed on me once more. “But how thrilled am I that I was brought here to inquire? For this elf appears to be a suitable candidate.” The smile he gave me shook me to my core, and I averted my gaze as quickly as possible.
No. Oh, realms, no.
As I avoided looking behind the counter, I knew then why I kept silent.
If the Realm Guard freed me from my engagement, it would open me up to another binding.
While the human was dull and unexciting, it was a better alternative than going with the sable before me.
A much better alternative. And since my father was not doing his due diligence as my protector, I had to do my best to protect myself.
“I do apologize,” Father started, “but my daughter was only just bound to someone. He was here a moment ago, but he must have stepped out. There was a good deal of excitement, you know.”
Nilsorn’s eyes whipped over to my father faster than I’d seen a race move. Was he suspicious of Aleixo? Father may have just given him away. “Bound, you say?” he cooed, seeming to have completely forgotten about the individual he was after.
His voice dropped lower, and I shivered, pulling the sleeves of my dress lower to hide the goosebumps on my arms. “I’m sure something else could be arranged…to make it more worth your while, Orisola. The realms need a queen, do they not?”
Father’s mouth dropped open as the words hit him. “My…my Java? A queen?”
“Father,” I cut in, “I have only recently been bound, you said so yourself. You can’t mean to—”
“Hush, Java, listen to the Realm Guard.”
Was he truly going to bind me to yet another prospect he knew nothing about? Wait…no, he knew plenty. This was the most feared man in existence. There were realms that didn’t know about him, and I envied those for not knowing who their master was.
Our master, I corrected my thoughts.
“Father, I would be more than happy to abide by your wishes.” My mind was going a mile a minute as I thought through what I could do. I had to play my cards right if I was going to win this hand. I had to get a moment to myself to clear this flurry that was coming over me.
A smile lit Father’s face as he turned to me, and Nilsorn’s eyes glazed over me. “Does the idea of binding to me appeal to you, then? I’m not surprised. It would be a beneficial union for you.”
I fought the urge to release my breakfast right then and there, swallowed my fear, and gave him my brightest smile. “I would be honoured. However, I have but one request.”
“Name it, elf, and it will be yours.”
Fluttering my lashes—and cursing myself while doing so—I took a step closer, feeling his darkness cover me like a fire’s choking smoke.
“My previous binding will need to be broken, which is of no issue with your magic, dear Realm Guard, but I should like to spend one night at home before we leave, if you would please grant me that gift.”
“You should like to remain under your father’s care for one more night before you willingly come with me?”
“Yes.” For a minute, I thought he’d see through my request, but he seemed pleased with my words. “To present my best self on the morrow.”
“I will grant you this. I will return for you at noon. Your current binding will be broken, and following a simple ceremony, you will come with me.”
“Wait,” I rushed. “Won’t we wish for the ceremony to take place in the capital of our realm? What of a gown? Jewels? The excitement?”
“I am not a man of such things. As my queen, you will enjoy those luxuries, but a grand ceremony is not in my nature.”
“Of course.” I bowed my head. “Whatever you wish, Realm Guard.”
“You will call me Nilsorn.”
Father was looking between us, scarcely able to get a word in.
I’m sure he was thrilled at the prospect that, while he thought his two other daughters had married the best, his remaining daughter was now to be the Realm Queen.
Meanwhile, I was more focused on why the Realm Guard suddenly wanted to make an elf his queen.
“Nilsorn,” I attempted his name, feeling terribly uncomfortable.
“And tomorrow,” he continued, “you will be mine.”