Ruthless Villains: A Spicy Fantasy Romance by Marion Blackwood

Author:Marion Blackwood [Blackwood, Marion]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Dagger Publishing
Published: 2022-10-23T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

The white parliament building shone like a jewel in the sunlight as we ascended the pale steps and approached the wide double doors. Well-dressed men and women walked briskly in and out, as if they were on some very important errands, but there were also a few people who looked more like us. A bit more uncertain. I kept an open and curious expression on my face as we approached the doors.

This was where the whole parliament of Eldar worked, but it was also open for visitors. There were areas that resembled a museum where people could learn more about Eldar’s glorious history, as well as the famous Rose Hall, which was where the ball would be held. We needed to map out the layout so that we could find the perfect spot to make our move, and also an escape route so that we wouldn’t have to haul an abducted Lance Carmichael out through an entire ballroom packed with people.

Callan slid his arm around mine and then spoke quietly through a smile. “You’re frowning.”

Realizing that he was right, I smoothened my creased brows and painted that curious smile back on my face. But in my chest, my heart was thumping. Were we really going to do this? Walk right into the heart of democracy? The heroes’ stronghold? If something went wrong while we were in there, the odds of us getting out undetected were dishearteningly low. And if that happened, our chance of stopping Lance Carmichael and his band of self-righteous idiots from wiping out all the dark mages would be gone completely.

I drew in a calming breath as we at last stepped across the threshold.

A grand hallway made of white marble met us. The domed ceiling made the murmur of people speaking softly to each other swirl through the air and fill the whole space. I swept my gaze over the portraits on the walls. They no doubt depicted old members of parliament who had done something good for Eldar, or perhaps previous Chancellors, but they looked very stern and imposing in their paintings. Our steps were muffled by a dark blue carpet that ran the length of the hallway. I read the small golden plaques above the different doors while we walked.

“Are you looking for something?” a voice suddenly said.

Callan and I stopped and turned towards it. A woman with gray hair pulled into a neat bun looked back at us with eyebrows raised expectantly.

“The area up ahead is not open to civilians,” she went on.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said and let out an embarrassed laugh that was pure calculation. “We’re from Castlebourne and everyone has been telling us that we just have to see the Rose Hall.”

Her expression softened. “And they’re quite right. It is magnificent.” With a smile on her face, she raised a hand to point towards a pair of double doors. “It’s down there.”

“Thank you so much. That’s so kind of you.”

Our arms were still linked so I pulled Callan with me as I started towards the indicated doors.

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