Fae of the North by Ellie Hall & E. Hall

Author:Ellie Hall & E. Hall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy romance, clean fantasy, sweet fantasy, clean paranormal, sweet paranormal romance, fae, vampires, shifters, urban fantasy
Publisher: Ellie Hall
Published: 2021-03-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Soren

The moment of wild abandon is fleeting. It’s too soon and too dangerous to let myself feel at ease. With a wary glance at the clouds gathering in the sky, I say, “We should keep moving.”

As we climb, my ears tune to the slightest change in sound, shift of wind, and birdcall. My footfalls drop hollow as I test the stability of the rock beneath me and keep my eyes on the path and a hand in Kiki’s in case anything happens.

The trail soon widens, leading to a promontory. A man stands before us, wearing a hooded cloak in black, silver, and gold fabric that shifts like a raven’s wing glinting in the sunlight.

I steel myself as the image of Leith brakes sharply in my mind. But he doesn’t wear a crown. Nonetheless, I’m ready with my weapons.

Kiki’s hand tightens in mine and the other hovers near the blade in her belt.

We stare openly at him for a long moment until he beckons us onward.

I’m not without reservations, but the only other choice is to go back down and we came here for a reason. I don’t intend to leave until we’ve fulfilled our purpose however vague it may be.

The figure in the strange, shimmering cloak leads us up the mountain until the sun and moon move closer in the sky, one rising and the other falling as though meeting for a moment to say goodnight. We reach a second promontory—this one sheltered by an overhang at the mouth of a cave.

The man turns slowly, removes his hood, and says, “I’ve been waiting for you.” He studies me for a long moment and then his gaze lands on Kiki before returning to me.

Bumps crawl across my skin and I feel all-over itchy and clammy.

“You’ve been waiting for us?” Kiki asks.

“For a long time.” The man’s lips carry the memory of a smile.

In the center of the cave, where the ceiling is the highest, a low fire on the stone floor gives off modest light. The man lifts his hand over it and the flames rise, licking his palm. “Sit and warm yourselves.”

Kiki and I lower onto a crude bench as he glides around in the shadows before producing two silver trays and goblets.

“Eat, drink.” It’s more of a command than an invitation.

Kiki studies the man as he sits down opposite. We both watch him as carefully as he watches us. His black hair is almost iridescent. The food remains untouched.

The creases of concern on his forehead smooth out. “You’re uncertain. That’s understandable. It isn’t every day you come across an old man living in a cave. I am Vespertine.”

“My mother told me to seek you. Do you keep the ravens?” Kiki asks as though to confirm that we came to the right place and have the correct Vespertine—as if there could be others.

“No, the ravens keep me. Along with the kings and battle arms. You’ve heard the stories, Hjaggson?” He’s looking at me. When I don’t answer, he tries again.

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