Flicker by Elizabeth Tybush

Author:Elizabeth Tybush [Tybush, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: NineStar Press, LGBTQIA+, slow burn, magic, magic users, friends to lovers, mythical creatures, royalty, redemption, past mistakes, portals
Publisher: NineStar Press, LLC
Published: 2020-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

22953 YD (1662 CE)

The North Mountains, Cydrithenna

After the camp feasted courtesy of our Storm Giant allies, we turned in for the night, the sober amongst us even making it back to our tents without assistance. As a prince, I had a tent to myself, a blessing on nights like this when everyone thought recuperating meant soaking in alcohol. By the light of a small lamp, I studied a tome of magick, lying in a bed too oversized for my need.

An icy breeze swept across the pages of my book, chilling my hands and flipping too many pages over. The faint scent of woodsmoke, coming from the personal heating stove in the center of the tent, rushed out with the warmth. I covered the tome with a pillow to save my place, and I sat up to retrieve another fur from the end of the bed.

Downcast, Eleric peered at me from the open flap of my tent.

“Eleric? What is it? And could you please not let the warm air out?”

Eleric nodded and stepped inside. Lightweight leather armor covered his clothing, but his shoulders were absent his cloak. “Sorry. I wish we were allowed to bring proper heaters to these things. How could they be a violation of Federation law?”

“Because warm troops do well,” I said, from beneath layers of furs. “Our technology would give us an unfair advantage, even with the smallest of disputes. It’s one of the few Drakon laws that I’m proud were adopted by the Federation.”

“I know, but couldn’t the First King have made an exception for heat?”

“The First King was a Vivifyal. Of course he was stubborn.”

“And probably the only Vivifyal you’ve ever agreed with.”

“And posthumously, at that.”

We shared a short-lived, quiet laugh.

“I don’t mean to complain,” said Eleric. “I know it’s the only way our kind can pay penance for what our ancestors did.”

“Shh,” I quipped. “Don’t let the others hear you. They might be offended by your ability to see the gray in our history.”

He smiled broadly, looking beyond the tent walls as though someone might hear that smile turn to laughter. I gave him a mischievous grin and nearly forgot that he had arrived with a far more melancholic countenance.

“Why are you here, Eleric?”

“He’s…down for the night,” he said, and I knew he spoke of Varin from the dart of his eyes to the rumble in his voice. “And he took Renny and Jemier down with him, though he’s got the most to sleep off.”

“Wonderful,” I remarked, unhappy with the thought of dealing with three hungover comrades in the morning. “And the other problem?”

“There is no other problem.”

“Come, Eleric, there must be another problem.” I masked, becoming him and mirroring his current disposition. In his voice, I said, “You look awfully dreadful for you. What else has my incredible brother done?”

Eleric sighed. “Please stop.”

I let go of the mask. “Sorry.”

“Renny decided they should celebrate in our tent, not Jemier’s or Varin’s. Renny’s passed out on the ground next to his bed. Jemier is literally under a table.

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.