Page 49 of The Awakening of Essensia

They turned down a side street and took a left, the road opening into a residential square. In the centre stood a small, fenced park, and between each streetlight stood fragrant, white-flowered trees, their silver boughs swaying in the chill breeze.

Surrounding it all, houses standing four stories tall lined the opposite side of the road, each framed by matching black iron gates with stone steps leading up to painted doors. They approached one, the smell of woodsmoke drifting on the chill breeze.

Eli lifted the brass knocker, then let it fall, a single, sharp clack reverberating through the night. A muffled sound came from within, then door flew open and a massive black dog leapt at him.

Eli laughed, patting the dog on its shaggy head. “Good boy. Now get down, Orphi.”

A man with silver, shoulder-length hair stood in the doorway. Orphi, dropped down and trotted back inside, his tail wagging eagerly behind him.

“Come in and out of the cold,” the man said, taking their coats and hanging them near the door. He gave them each a quick once over then looked pointedly to Eli.

“This is Axel,” Eli said, turning to her. “He was Lord Commander when I was a boy.” He turned to Axel. “This is Vaelira. She’s a recruit.”

Axel’s brows lifted slightly. “Lovely to meet you, Vaelira. How can I help you both?”

“We need to use the study.”

“Of course. Go on up. I’ll let Willem know we’ve got two more for dessert.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“That would be lovely,” Vaelira said at the same time. Maybe Axel and Willem would give her some answers.

“Very well then.” Axel smiled and turned down the hall, disappearing through a door at the far end of the house.

Eli slipped off his boots and headed up the stairs. Vaelira followed, her fingers trailing along the smooth, black stained balustrade. He led her to a room at the back of the house and unlocked it with a small key. The air inside was musty, thick with disuse.

Eli lit a candle and used it to spark several others in sconces along the wall. Warm light washed over a sparse study; bare shelves, a simple desk and two armchairs in the corner.

He moved towards the desk, paused, then gestured to the armchairs. They sat opposite each other, the silence unsettling.

“This is… cosy,” she offered.

Eli chuckled and leaned back. “It’s the only place I trust not to be overheard.”

“Who would be listening?”

“Too many to name.”

She folded her arms over her chest. “This is the part where you start talking.”

“What would you like to know?”

She didn’t hesitate. “Why did you come to Anhaven? Why does the moonstone react to me? How was Jon possessed? Why did the demon try to kill me?” Her voice caught. “Why me?”

Eli held up a hand. “Slow down.”

“Why should I?” she snapped. “You brought me here promising answers. I’ve been waiting long enough.”

He studied her for a moment. “You’re right.” He exhaled. “I came to Anhaven for two reasons. First, at the request of my mother and father.”

“The King and Queen?”

“Yes. They disapprove of how little time I spend at court. Sending me to Anhaven was a punishment of sorts, while also a way to show the noble houses I was being put to good use.”

“I didn’t know that recruiting for the Royal Guard was a princely duty.”

“And how much do you know of my duties?”