A Change of Heart: Hestaesia: Book Four by K L Thorne

Author:K L Thorne [Thorne, K L]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2023-10-01T00:00:00+00:00

After a long, cold day of yet more unsuccessful searching, Oriel was all too keen to hurry inside the Lady of Fortune. He had loitered in a nearby alley, pacing to keep himself warm as he awaited the doors to open for patrons.

Finally, just as the sky had begun to morph from delicate, pink dusky hues to the deeper purple of night time, movement across the street caught Oriel’s attention. An impossibly large demon unlocked the entrance, ducking his head beneath the doorway as he passed through it. He wore a simple set of plate armour, popular amongst doormen and guards. When he blocked the door with his large frame, folding his hands behind his back, it became clear he was a guardian of sorts.

Oriel glanced down his body, tucking his shirt into his breeches and pulling his tunic straight before striding confidently from the shadows towards the tavern. The demon eyed him as he approached.

“Can I help you?” the large man asked, holding up his palm.

Oriel came to a stop, just out of arm's reach of the imposing man. “I’m no bother, just looking for a place to warm up and have a few ales.” As if to prove his point, the prince hopped from one foot to the other, rubbing his hands together.

“Have you got an appointment?” the demon asked.

“For a drink? No, I’m afraid I don’t.” Oriel paused. He wasn’t usually one to name drop, but desperate times called for desperate measures. “Surely as the king’s brother I could be allowed entry without one?”

“I know who you are, little prince,” the demon sneered. “No access without an appointment.”

Oriel felt a muscle tick in his cheek. It had been a long day and his patience was already running dangerously thin. He took a deep breath, trying to hold back his anger. “Listen, I mean no trouble. I’m looking for a friend and one of the witches—”

“Not. Without. An appointment.”

Oriel looked him up and down. The guard had both a height and weight advantage over him, but the prince had won fights with worse odds. He licked his bottom lip determinedly and stepped closer. “It’s been a long fucking day, alright? Just move aside and we can both save ourselves the time and trouble of arguing about this. I need to get inside, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”

The demon unfolded his arms and stepped closer still, until Oriel could feel the man’s breath on his skin. “Just try it, faerie boy. I’ve—”

Quick as a flash, the pent-up rage that prowled inside him rose up and Oriel smashed his fist up into the demon’s jaw, throwing the man’s head back violently with the force of the punch. The guard staggered backwards a few steps before fumbling for his sword. He pulled the metal free and slashed out with it blindly.

Oriel leapt from the blade’s path, just in time to hear the weapon slice through the air beside him. Taking advantage of the man’s outstretched arm, Oriel kicked his elbow, pleased when the blade was knocked from his grasp.

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