Bond of Fate (Shattered Wolf Book 3) by Riley Storm

Author:Riley Storm [Storm, Riley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: High House Press
Published: 2022-06-28T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Six

“Dance?”

My voice faltered as we walked into the largest room I’d ever been in. The rounded walls stretched into the distance, while overhead, they soared higher than many skyscrapers in Earth’s cities. Darkness should have roosted in the upper heights, but lights and carefully placed mirrors ensured it stayed lit, visible for all to see.

Way ahead of us, so far away they were nothing but pinpricks, I could vaguely make out a raised platform with two huge chairs carved from what might have been pure gold.

“Dance?” I hissed again as we walked on the purple carpet that guided us on a straight path toward the dais.

Row upon row of seats, many of them filled, spread out on either side of us. As we walked, I noted we were going down a slight decline, allowing everyone to see the goings-on in front of them more easily.

Far out on either side, where the rows of seating ended, I saw open spaces blocked off by more purple rope. Nobody entered those sections. Past those were rows of huge statues, around which more people mingled in tiny groups. The walkways in that area angled upward, providing a distinct separation between the seated masses and the more richly appointed statue-people.

Upper and lower class, perhaps? I didn’t care. I was there for a purpose. A purpose that apparently included dancing.

“The Right of Nelek,” Vir said, “is a right among the elves. Any may make the challenge. If they succeed, they will be granted an audience with the queen.”

That was what we wanted.

“And if we fail?” I asked, wondering how bad it would go for us.

“It won’t.”

“And if it does?” I repeated more emphatically.

“Then we will be escorted from the kingdom.” Vir cleared his throat. “By force.”

“Banishment?” I said, aghast. “Vir, we need to talk to her.”

“And we will.”

“Vir,” I ground out. “I can’t dance.”

“It’s easy,” the god said, waving a hand dismissively. “You’ll be fine.”

I tried to find the words to explain just how bad an idea it was. How terribly outclassed we were. There had to be a better way or method that wouldn’t result in us being banished.

And if we don’t speak to the queen, we’ll never get the shard. If we don’t get the Shard …

Giving my head a shake, trying to clear it of those black thoughts, I forced myself to focus on the present.

I would have to dance to save Johnathan’s life.

A giggle escaped my lips.

Vir and guards alike glanced at me.

“Nothing,” I said through a clenched jaw, working hard to keep my composure. It couldn’t be happening. Nobody in their right mind would solve a crisis like that.

Would they?

I pictured the haughtiness of the officer manning the portal and the unspoken yet obvious derision of his guards. The stately manner of dress adopted by everyone. Statues of their queen everywhere, seemingly worshiped by everyone. They were vain, and it showed.

Of course they’d want to dance over something serious.

“Can’t believe I’m gonna do this,” I said, talking to nobody in particular.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.