Page 5 of Deadly Little Games
I had only been to the square on a few occasions, and it was where I would buy wolfsbane for Braxton if I had time. Anyone could grow it, but the elves had a certain touch with plants that made it more potent than anything else. The trees were also taller here, which was probably why all the buildings were made of wood. Even the trees just outside the golden gates in the park were only half the size.
In one of those tall trees I noticed a raven watching me with beady black eyes. The bird was watching me way too intently for casual interest. Maybe it sensed I had recently come in contact with tasty pastries, but I doubted it.
I clutched the strap of my bag, wishing Ringo was inside. With the bag though, no one would bother me. Most of them would have seen me making deliveries at some point. No one would know that I was actually here to see their king, other than Elena and whoever she told.
And yet, my palms were sweating around my strap. Gabriel’s warning repeated in my mind. Maybe the worry was unfounded. Maybe my magic wouldn’t activate for anyone else, but it had already done so for three different people. Chances were, it would happen again.
I made my way beyond the first few neighborhoods into open forest, occasionally dotted with a distant white structure, smoke coming up from a narrow stone chimney. Unlike in the Bogs, the cobblestones beneath my feet were smooth andpristine. There were no puddles to step into, just vibrant green grass, wildflowers, and massive trees draped with vines. The trees provided ample shade as I walked, making me wish I had brought a coat. Eventually they closed in around the path, shrouding me in darkness.
Just when the darkness was beginning to feel eerie, the sun came again as I reached an open meadow. Further down the cobblestone path I spotted a large creature with massive antlers.
I hesitated, wondering if I should hide, but I eventually decided to stand my ground. Elena knew I was coming. It wouldn’t do to hide from one of her sentries—it would only prolong this whole experience.
And so I bravely kept walking until the creature came into clear view. It was a massive buck, and on its back rode Elena, her red hair shining in the sun.
She slipped down from the animal’s back and jogged toward me. I was surprised that she wore just jeans and a yellow T-shirt. I had expected that in her own lands, the princess would be dressed like, well… a princess.
Elena reached me, her green eyes shining and her flushed cheeks making her freckles stand out. “You have no idea how glad I am to see you. It wasn’t easy convincing my father to extend his protection. When I was alerted that a night runner was at the gates, I came straight away.”
I wasn’t sure who had alerted her, but I had passed by many homes. It stood to reason that someone had seen me. “Yeah, I heard about the protection thing. Not gonna lie, I was pretty surprised.”
She gripped my arms. “You’re important, Eva. I’m not going to have those vampires snatching you away, not even the Master of the City. I can take you the rest of the way to the palace.” She nodded back toward the buck.
I stepped out of her grip, uncomfortable with her fervor. I looked skeptically at the buck. Riding a horse with Gabriel was one thing, the buck didn’t even have a saddle.
Elena reached out and squeezed my arm again. “Don’t worry, he’s very gentle.”
I winced at her repeated touch, worried that my magic might flare again, but nothing happened. No glow, no tingly feeling. I wasn’t sure why I had expected it. I was pretty sure she had been born in this realm, but if she was a princess, she did probably have powerful magic. So maybe it was the other realm thing. But then, why Gabriel?
I shook my head at my own thoughts and Elena frowned.
“Oh, no, not you. Sorry, I’ve had a long morning. Let’s go.” On the back of a buck. To the elven palace. Yeah, completely normal.
Her smile resumed, if only a little more hesitant than before. “Do you want to talk about it?”
I shook my head. “Not really.”
She gave me a smile that said she understood perfectly—though how could she?—then motioned me toward the animal.
I looked up at the beast. It was almost as big as Gabriel’s horse. Its glassy eye rolled toward me, and I felt keenly aware that it wasjudgingme. I glanced back at Elena. “You don’t happen to have a step stool, do you?”
She hopped into motion. “Oh, forgive me, I’m just so used to being around other elves.” She laced her fingers together, then lowered her hands to form a stirrup. “I’ll just give you a boost.”
I looked down at my dirty sneakers. “I’m not sure how I feel about stepping on a princess.”
She scowled. “I’ll have none of that. I get enough of that at home.” She bent her knees and lowered her hands a bit more. “Now come on, you do owe me for getting my father to give you protection.”
“You have an exceedingly strange way of calling in favors.” I stepped into her hand, and she propelled me up onto the buck.
With my heart suddenly racing, I awkwardly tried to situate myself, not knowing what I should or shouldn’t grab onto.
Elena hopped up nimbly behind me, then put her arm around my waist to steady me. Just as she did, the flutter of wings sounded overhead, then the raven I had seen near the gates touched down onto the buck’s antlers. It looked over its shoulder at me with one black eye.
I looked back at Elena and whispered, “Did that bird tell you when I arrived?”
She gave me a bemused expression. “While I would love to telepathically speak with animals, that is not one of my gifts. I asked a friend near the gates to send word if she saw you.”
Blushing, I turned forward.