The Forbidden Realms by H.C. Newell

Author:H.C. Newell
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2022-07-29T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Position of Power

Aélla

“Those with authority will bow to the one who wields true power.”

Words of the First Blood

Reiman sat in a leather chair nestled before a crackling hearth, in his hands a mug of steaming cider. Leaning forward, he retrieved a mulling stone from the fire and dropped it into his beverage. The cider bubbled and hissed with the scent of cloves and cinnamon.

As he leaned back, blowing the steam of his drink, he glanced at Neer, who lay motionless atop a cushioned bench. Firelight brightened the dark bruises across her face, and burns covered her throat in overlapping blisters where Thorne had gripped her with his hot iron hand while she was in his captivity.

Aélla sat on a stool next to her, gently smearing ointment across her shallow cuts. She hesitated over the deep split that opened her cheek. Shifting her eyes to the ointment, she knew it wouldn’t be enough to heal such an injury.

As she covered the last mark, she wiped her hands clean with a linen cloth and sat in a chair opposite Reiman. He offered a glass of cider, and she kindly refused. She leaned forward with her hands in her lap and eyed the man next to her. His chin was high as he focused his gaze on the hearth.

“You are their leader?” she asked after several minutes of silence. Reiman nodded in response, yet never met her gaze. “Why were you so elusive when we met? You mentioned the human sorceress but failed to tell me that she’s your daughter.”

He straightened and turned his glass upward, finishing his drink. The cup thudded against the hard grain of a wooden table as he placed it aside. “Master Drimil, you must forgive me. It would do no good for you or anyone else to know that she is directly connected to the rebellion’s leader. To know that my kin is considered demonic by her people.”

“Why are you here, Master Reiman? It’s quite convenient you show up when disaster strikes.”

A half-smile tugged the edge of his lip. “I’m the leader of the largest organization in Laeroth, second only to the Order. Make no mistake of my intentions, Master Drimil. I’m here to see that Nerana takes the right path.”

“You had me believe you were here to stop the klaet’il from creating war with the vaxros,” she said, referring to the conversation they had long ago. Aélla had met Reiman only once before and learned of his identity through her time with the Brotherhood in their sanctuary. The two had fought against the klaet’il, who ambushed a vaxros village.

“Another lie, I’m afraid. To protect myself.” He paused with purpose. “To protect her.”

Aélla leaned closer and gazed daringly into his unflinching eyes. “Protect her from what?”

Orange light cast across the dark room when a log split. Embers sprayed into the air as the woodpile shifted beneath dancing flames. Reiman stared unblinking at Aélla, who matched his gaze. She could see he wasn’t familiar with being challenged, and the provocation of a stranger filled him with curiosity and ire.

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