“Well, that can’t be good,” I said as they glamoured on their weapons as well.
Ryder sifted me to the throne room and what my eyes beheld was beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I gasped, but held all other emotions in check. The room had been enlarged, which was a good thing considering what had been waiting for us here. I felt the tension in Ryder as well, and was glad that he wore his weapons, as well as his men.
Chapter Twenty
The Winter Queen stood as tall as she could, and smiled at me. She’d not only brought her own people back with her, but she’d brought every court, and more. The Summer, Winter, Spring, and Autumn Elven courts stood together, even though they were like the Unseelie and Seelie of our courts, with both a benevolent and malevolent side.
“I’ve spoken to them of our meeting, Ryder, King to the Horde. They have come to see if I spoke the truth of the changes to our world, and your court. I told them of the fierce woman who stands at your side, and of her promise.”
I remained silent as I took them all in. They were all, at first glance, strong, eerie, and ravishing. The Spring Court was filled with dark and green haired Elves, all of who wore vines and clothing that mirrored spring. Flowers covered naked breasts and skirts looked as if they’d taken leaves and fashioned them into something a model would wear on a catwalk in Paris. The scent of spring waged war with the other seasons, and yet I found myself drawn to it and the promise of flowers that normally blossomed to life in the spring.
The Winter Court all wore outfits similar to their Queen, beautifully crafted garments of ice, and soft blue dresses and cloaks. They stood behind their Queen proudly. I withheld a shiver as a gentle breeze started, and even though I knew it was a test by her people, I refused to shiver even as my body shivered internally.
Mental note: When visiting the Ice Kingdom, make sure Ryder actually puts underwear on you, dumbass!
The Autumn Court had flame colored hair, and other varying shades of leaves that you’d often see in fall. They wore outfits which matched, but instead of leaves, they had actual clothes on which had simple things like acorns and other varying items on them. Their eyes were mostly deep reddish-brown, their features sharp and expressions revealing that they were intrigued by us.
The Summer Court looked nothing like summer. Their King had horns that spiraled up, and looked like they belonged on a goat; only these were golden and really quite beautiful. His eyes were clear, and completely white. If he had irises, they couldn’t be seen. He wore paint on his face that was illuminated by his skin, and eerie didn’t even begin to describe the look of him.
There were others as well. Some were unclaimed Unseelie, as well as Seelie from the looks of mixed Fae and Castes in their ranks. They looked hardened, and cold. Their eyes told of a hard life, and trust was not something they’d give us anytime soon. They were of medium build, and differed in height. The only thing that said they were together was the leather they wore. It crisscrossed over their shirtless chests, and held an assortment of weapons on their backs. Their pants had been crafted from leather as well. They all carried similar axes and swords, and it looked like they were more than capable of using them. Another sign of their mixed breeds was the ears. They were slightly less pointed than the Four Courts that stood beside them.
A male moved forward, but I couldn’t make out which Court he was from. He was beautiful, and yet I could feel power wafting off of him, and so too could Ryder. His eyes were a clear blue, so light in color that they appeared to glow from within. He had a symbol tattooed on his cheek, just below his left eye. His hair was the same blue-black of Ryder’s, and thick white and black brands pulsed on his biceps, and chest.
“I am Elijah,” he said as he approached us. “Half-Angel and half-Fae, King of the Unclaimed Fae and son of Alazander.” The last part was said with hatred.
“My father took no angels other than one, and she remained in his pavilion until just recently,” Ryder said quietly so that those in the assembly would be forced to strain their hearing.
“No; shortly after he took her, my mother was called back to heaven, and he couldn’t stop the summons. He did not know she carried me when it happened. I chose to come back here and help others like me who had no rightful place in this world.”
I remained silent, as did Ryder as animosity poured in waves off of the stranger.
“I could challenge you, fight you, kill you,” Elijah continued. “Would you fight me…brother?” he sneered.
“No,” Ryder replied, and you’d have had to be deaf to not hear the threat in his answer.