Of Light and Leaves (Tales of Elfhyem Book 1) by Fay Taylor

Author:Fay Taylor [Taylor, Fay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-12-13T00:00:00+00:00

The stone was rough against her back as Eadlin pressed against it, trying her best to be as quiet and invisible as possible. She held her breath, lest she be heard by a guard or resident of the castle.

Treddian crouched low as he peeked around the corner to check if it was safe to move from this alcove.

Eadlin’s head was swimming; the effects of the poison still had her feeling fragile. Everything was just so much.

Then suddenly, Treddian was there, like he knew that she needed him—he had found her.

After what he had said, he was here.

Her knees felt a bit wobbly as he silently signalled that it was clear, and they could move forward.

The corridors were suspiciously empty, their footsteps tapping out a rhythm over the well-worn flagstones.

The braziers dotted at regular intervals cast flickering shadows across the walls that were bare and without windows.

A feeling of unease sat in the pit of Eadlin’s stomach, and she endeavoured to follow Treddian’s near-silent steps. Her own steps seemed overly loud in the echoey corridors of the keep.

The air was cold and a draft danced around their ankles like a ghostly cat was rubbing up against them.

Something did not seem right; this was too easy. Was there something she was missing? Did her mortal eyes not see something she should?

Treddian’s ears wiggled as he listened for anyone moving towards them.

Approaching the dark stairway to the lower levels of the castle, Eadlin’s heart was in her mouth.

The darkness and tight space of the stairwell would be a dangerous place to encounter anyone, especially as there would be no easy way to see around the turns of the spiralling stairs.

As if sensing her rising panic, Treddian turned those dazzling green eyes on her and took her hand, giving it a gentle, reassuring squeeze before setting into the gloom of the stairwell.

They descended further and further into the bowels of the keep; Eadlin’s breath began to cloud in front of her in the murky darkness. Her teeth chattered as the temperature dropped even further.

She tried to focus on the form of Treddian’s back as he walked in front and tried not to trip down the steep, worn steps that spiralled down and down into the dark.

As they neared the bottom, they could hear voices filtering up the stairs.

The scent of blood snaked towards them.

Eadlin froze, a bloody room flashing before her mind’s eye.

Shadows of tall weapons danced on the walls.

As they peeked around the corner, her eyes widened in horror.

Redcaps sat around a rickety table with a pair of fae guards, their dark armour clinking as they moved.

She was certain she was going to throw up.

Treddian placed a finger to his lips.

Eadlin frowned at him, I’m not stupid, you know, she thought angrily.

He only smirked back.

Of course, only Treddian would smirk at a time like this—insufferable fae male.

His smirk grew as if he could read her thoughts, but it swiftly left his features as he again focused on the guards.

He snuck forward a few more steps, gesturing for Eadlin to stay where she was.

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