Chapter 33 （Samantha）The Dwarven Essence
Chapter 33 (Samantha )
The Dwarven Essence
T he afternoon had passed quickly. The walk in the gardens with Viktor had been more than pleasant, and my heart was still racing as I thought back to the time we’d spent together.
I retreated to the throne room when he had to resume his royal duties. In the corner, Jason played guitar. My pet took great pleasure in playing. He had blossomed in the last few weeks and had even composed several songs inspired by his life at the castle. It was an honor to be able to play in my presence, and I let him.
Lost in thought, I thought of all the Mi?onblooders mages. None possessed the power to venture into the Ancient Crystal Field. It was annoying. I had to find the other piece of the Rod of Origins. My only solution was to put out a search for a powerful enough mage. A large reward would probably do the trick, but I was unhappy about the delay it involved.
It was late, and Viktor would soon be back. I couldn’t wait to leave the throne room and retire to my quarters. Jason finished his song and bowed. I smiled and nodded. Happy, he left.
Just as I was about to retire for the night, Lysander burst into the room.
“Your Majesty, I’m sorry to bother you at this hour, but a group of elves requests an urgent audience.”
“A group of elves?” I asked, surprised to have their race in my kingdom.
He nodded. “Yes. They say they must deliver a dwarf prisoner to you personally and to no one else.”
I held my breath at these words. I’d sent the request to Erendriel, but I only half expected the king to fulfill it. It would seem that he would be useful after all.
“Send them in,” I replied to the old vampire.
I watched an elf with curly white and purple hair enter the room. She was the first, and I guessed she was their leader. She wore a studded leather robe, and I immediately sensed she was a strong mage. I could always recognize those things instinctively. I could feel the magical force around them, like you can feel the heat coming from a fire. Behind her was an elf with fiery hair, orange eyes, and yellow skin. I had never seen their kind yet, but I immediately recognized that Alastor’s elven essence was in him.
How better could this day get?
Two elven guards followed, carrying a tied dwarf. The leader of the group bowed. “Your Majesty.”
I gestured. “Rise. Who are you?” I wanted to confirm whether she was powerful enough to go to the Ancient Crystal Field. She would be useless to me if she weren’t, but my gut usually didn’t lie to me.
“I am Elaine, Grand Wizard of King Erendriel.”
I smiled, excitement rising. It didn’t get any better than a Grand Wizard in terms of magical force, and I thanked Alastor for his guidance.
“And who might this be?” I inquired.
“I am Oswald,” the elf answered, his voice deeper than I expected for such a small being. “Wizard at the tower.”
I knew now they couldn’t be allowed to leave the castle. I didn’t know how, but she would help me. And as for the elven essence, Oswald, I would take care of him.
“The king has asked that we deliver the dwarf prince to you.”
I studied the tied dwarf, who kept silent. This was Alastor’s dwarven essence. I expected better, but it would do.
“Ah, yes,” I started. “Extend my greatest gratitude to the king. But where are my manners? You must be tired after such a long journey.”
Elaine answered. “We will seek hospitality in your great city before returning.”
I shook my head. “Nonsense. There are plenty of rooms at the castle.” Not giving the girl a chance to say anything, I called out, “Lysander, prepare rooms for our guests. The rooms in the west wing of the castle.”
The vampire bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty. ”
Elaine looked to hesitate. “It’s really not necessary.”
I walked down the stairs past them. “I insist. Lysander will show you to your rooms, and then you can join me and the king for dinner.”
“What shall I do with the prisoner?” asked Lysander.
I gestured to the guards stationed at the door. “Take him and put him in the dungeon. I’ll deal with him later.”
Satisfied, I left the room, making sure our guests followed Lysander. I had purposely chosen the west wing. All the rooms there were built with magical protection. I didn’t know how strong these mages were, but it would prevent any attempt to cast a spell inside the castle. The windows were all filled with metal bars, remnants of protection added during wars. It was not a prison, but the nearest thing to one.
I spotted two guards a little further on.
“Make sure you post guards at the entrances to our guests’ rooms. We wouldn’t want anything to happen to them.”
They wouldn’t leave the castle.
Viktor was in our room when I arrived, bare chest. I bit my lower lip and walked over to him to slide my hands over his muscles. I grazed my nails on the surface of his skin, leaving a furrow of goosebumps in their path. A purr escaped his chest.
“Hmm, I love it when you do that,” he said, his chocolate eyes plunged into mine.
He grasped my waist firmly and pulled me close to him, sealing our lips together in a languorous kiss. When we finally broke the kiss, he asked, “What’s all the ruckus about? I saw guards and servants everywhere.”
“We have guests,” I answered.
Viktor was surprised. “Really? I wasn’t expecting guests. I had rather hoped to undo that nice blouse you’re wearing.”
“This will have to wait. We’re expected to dine in the company of our elven guests.”
“Elven, now you intrigue me even more.”
I loved Viktor’s naivety. He was a young vampire, still believing in people’s goodness. Being a king and helping me fulfill the prophecy hadn’t changed how much he loved people.
“They are envoys from King Erendriel. I have asked the guards to prepare chambers for them.”
“Well, I should wear a formal shirt then,” he said, hurrying to get one of his dark brown shirts embroidered with gold threads. I nodded, selecting a simple yet elegant red fitted dress.
When I turned around, Viktor was staring intensely at me. “I love how your curves show in this dress.”
“Then you can admire me all evening.”
“Then I shall desire you even more,” he added hungrily, giving me his arm as we exited our room.
We soon arrived at the dining room. Elaine and Oswald were already seated at the table alongside the royal seats. The guards were at the far end. As the king’s envoy, I’d invited them even though they were only guards, but I preferred to keep them away from me.
Elaine and Oswald stood up as we entered, bowing their heads slightly. They looked up as Viktor pulled out the chair for me. Before sitting down, I said, “May I present my husband, the king, whom you didn’t get to meet earlier.”
“Your Majesty,” said the elves in chorus.
They all sat down at the same time as I did.
“I’m delighted to meet elves,” Viktor said enthusiastically as the servants brought plates of steak and served blood wine in our glasses and white wine in our guests’ glasses. He continued, “I’ve often heard the stories about your grace and culture, but this is the first time I’ve had the chance to meet your race in person.”
“I’m flattered you’ve heard the merits of our people,” Elaine replied, diving into her plate.
Viktor continued, “I’ve heard that you elves are gifted with magic.”
I refrained from commenting. Everyone knew this, but I let him do the talking, hoping I could take advantage of the moment.
“Indeed,” Oswald replied. “We all have a magical force.”
“Interesting,” Viktor replied between mouthfuls. “Perhaps you could help the queen, then.”
I choked on my sip of blood wine at these words. The look on Elaine and Oswald’s faces suggested that they had no desire to help with anything, but out of politeness, Elaine asked, “How could our powers help, Your Majesty?”
I put down my fork, smiling wide. “Well, you see, I have a rather ambitious plan.”
I paused, holding the elves’ gaze. “I’d like to restore the draconic race.”
They all stopped eating, mouths agape. I was pleased with the impact of my words.
“It would be an honor to help you, Your Majesty,” Elaine finally breathed, Oswald nodding.
I exclaimed, “How generous of you!”
“How do you intend to resurrect dragons?” Elaine inquired, but I dismissed the question with a shake. This wasn’t the time to talk about it. I needed a little more time to prepare my plan. In any case, I didn’t want them to leave tonight. Oswald was Alastor’s elven essence. He wouldn’t make it out alive, but with the both of them, they were too strong. I needed to separate him from Elaine first, and then I could harness his essence.
Maybe if I consumed the dwarven essence tonight, I would be strong enough to take him out. In any case, I needed to take care of the dwarven prince anyway.
I asked my servants to refill our guests’ wine glasses.
“You must be tired from your journey. We’ll discuss this tomorrow,” I concluded.
“Let’s eat,” Viktor’s cheerful voice rang out. He raised his glass. “Here’s to collaboration between our two great races.”
Everyone raised their glasses, and we continued the meal, talking about trivialities. Every time the elves’ glasses were half empty, I signaled to my servants to fill them. So much so that by the end of the meal, they were all too drunk and tired to try to get away from the castle. I didn’t want them to cast a spell and realize that their rooms prevented them from doing so.
Happy guests were easier to contain than angry ones.
With the meal finished, I headed for the dungeon, leaving Viktor to entertain the elves. I knew exactly what I needed to do. As the elven essence was a powerful mage, I would need all the power I could get.
I couldn’t fail. Alastor would never forgive me.
I descended into the coldness of the dungeon, the dampness gripping me to the bone as I made my way through the tunnels carved out of the mountain. The sound of my footsteps echoed on the rocky walls. Soon, I saw a cell guarded by three guards.
They bowed when they recognized me. “Your Majesty.”
In the cell stood the young dwarf, beard and hair a dirty red. He was chained to the walls by his hands and feet, his gaze hateful.
“You’ve done well. I’m satisfied,” I said. “Now open the door. I have business with the prisoner.”
The dwarf’s eyes filled with fear at my words. “What do you want from me?” he asked.
I ignored his question as a guard unlocked the door, the heavy metal creaking as it opened. The dwarf panicked as I entered his cell. He shouted, “Don’t come any closer. Don’t leave me with her.”
I pulled a dagger from my dress. The dwarf struggled from his chains at the sight of it, but I ignored his screams and insults.
I closed my eyes, savoring the fear of this man, knowing he was about to meet his death. Knowing that a part of Alastor would soon be inside me was a delight.
I recited the prayer to my god, letting his grace take me, before thrusting the dagger into the dwarf’s chest, striking multiple blows, cutting short the noise of his cries and lamentations. A powerful force filled me, so strong that I lost my feet and fell to the ground. I moaned, and my whole body shivered as Alastor communed inside me. It was ecstasy to be filled with his grace and will .
“Are you all right, Your Majesty?” inquired one of the worried guards.
Panting, I rose to my feet, taking a moment to focus my gaze. My body pulsed with energy, and I couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to be the vessel of my god.
I reassured them, “It’s all right. Pick up the body and get rid of it.”
I stepped out of the cell but turned momentarily and added, “Do not tell anyone what happened to the prisoner.”