Daughter of Shadow: The Complete Fantasy Romance Series by LJ Swallow

Author:LJ Swallow [Swallow, LJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Emu House Publishing
Published: 2022-06-17T04:00:00+00:00

13

CALLA

The elven town dizzies me—not due to the architecture or people, but the magic. Growing up in a magical household means I easily detect when strong magic is around, but this permeates the air to the degree I could breathe some into my lungs.

The town centres around a pool the colour of mercury and, as I step closer, the energy from within is tangible and draws me closer. My well-tended town would appear filthy and run down in comparison; every building shines, painted with white, silver, and purple that blends into the countryside the way Elwin's home does. How the settlement keeps clean and bright when surrounded by vegetation baffles me.

Luin makes no attempt to cover up his strange appearance, but Devin wears his cloak hooded, obscuring his hair and Ebon features. Galen walks beside me, dressed in finery again, hair smoothed back into his ponytail as he strides with the purpose of one who's above the elves around him. This morning when we woke, he returned to tenderness and gentler touch until I fell apart beneath him again. Luin’s banging on the door interrupted any chance we could lay in bed and pretend we're not fugitives taking refuge in a foreign court.

“Look at how beautiful everything is,” I say.

A nearby girl fixes flower and star garlands that crisscross between buildings and over the cobbled street. “There's a Moon Festival tonight,” she interrupts, and her face beams to match the moon she's talking about. “We have one every month, but this month two. I'm excited!”

The street bustles with activity, everybody smiling, and the festive mood infects the area as much as the magic does. Other elves nearby sing as they load barrels and crates onto a cart—I say cart, but these look like carriages carrying precious cargo. They’re wrought from the same shining silver and marked with the flower emblem repeated through the town.

“Ah, this will be a celebration for Calla to enjoy,” says Galen with a smile. “Although perhaps she should be careful about festivities.”

“Why?” asks Luin gruffly.

The elf girl looks to my tall bodyguard as if only just noticing him, and her eyes grow wide, mouth opening. “You are big, even for a human.” She looks to me. “Are all men his size?”

“Like elves, all men vary in size,” says Luin.

A girl holding the garlands nudges her and giggles as she drops her gaze to Luin's pants. “I would like to see that.”

“Velena,” says the first girl in shock. “That's inappropriate.”

I glance at Luin, who's now looking the other way with a tired expression on his face.

Galen interrupts. “We will be on our way.”

“Perhaps we'll see you tonight?” asks the second girl, attempting to catch Luin's eye.

Devin snorts in amusement from beneath his hooded cloak. “Rohan will need to beware of the moonwine.”

Galen smiles at Luin. “You too.”

“My role is to protect Calla and her possessions. I do not have time for dalliances.”

With a bow, we set off walking again. Devin's head remains down as we walk the streets.

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