Chapter 337: The Hand That Was Taken (And the King Who Pretended Not to Notice)
Chapter 337: The Hand That Was Taken (And the King Who Pretended Not to Notice)
Elyn’s POV
Draeven looked down at Brixton, and the stern lines of his face softened ever so slightly.
"You may," he said with a nod.
The moment those words left his mouth, Brixton’s eyes lit up.
"Really?"
Draeven gave another nod.
Brixton beamed at that, and before anyone could say another word, he hurried over to me, his ears perhaps red with excitement.
"Your Majesty," he said, taking my hand in his. "Come, I’ll show you everything."
I chuckled at his enthusiasm and nodded.
He tugged gently on my hand, trying to lead me away.
Or... at least he tried to.
But then he frowned. He pulled again.
Nothing happened.
He leaned forward slightly, putting a little more effort into it.
Still nothing.
His face scrunched up in a frown, and even I wondered what was going on until I looked down at his feet.
Thick shadows pooled around them. They were rather unsuspecting to a novice, but dare I say I was not a novice when it came to these shadows.
And there was only one culprit.
I slowly turned my head to said culprit and realized that he had somehow found something extraordinarily fascinating about one of the castle walls.
His ruby eyes were fixed upon it with complete concentration.
He even gave a thoughtful little hum.
"Zorathys," I called out.
"Hm?"
"Stop what you’re doing."
He continued looking at the wall.
"What am I doing?"
"Don’t play innocent."
"I am not."
His attention remained firmly on the stone wall.
"I am merely observing the craftsmanship."
"You know exactly what I’m talking about," I told him.
"I truly do not."
Finally, he turned toward me.
He tilted his head ever so slightly, causing the ruby earrings hanging from his ears to sway gently.
"What have I done, Firefly?"
I looked at him flatly, then gestured toward Brixton.
"Release him."
Zorathys looked genuinely puzzled.
"I am not holding any pest," he said. He paused thoughtfully. "Except Ignivar’s."
Aziren burst into giggles and then placed his hands over his mouth as if to stop the already escaped giggles from escaping.
I sighed.
"But you are holding Brixton in place," I argued.
Zorathys glanced toward the Stone Demon, then back at me.
"He appears perfectly free."
"He cannot move."
"He has legs."
"Which he cannot use now because you’re holding him in place," I told him.
"That sounds like a Brixton problem, though. How is it my fault?"
"Because it is."
He looked at me with complete sincerity.
"I fail to see how."
I resisted the urge to pinch him.
Instead, I gestured toward the floor where Brixton stood.
"I can literally see your shadows beneath his feet."
Zorathys’ gaze lingered there for a moment before returning to me.
"Everyone has shadows."
I blinked.
"...Really?"
"Yes."
He sounded almost proud of himself.
I stared at him, unimpressed.
"You know very well those are your shadows."
Zorathys paused and then looked at Brixton.
Then at the hand the Stone Demon was still holding.
Then back at me.
Then once more at Brixton’s hand.
Only after studying the situation for several long seconds did he look at me again.
"What shadows?"
He even raised an eyebrow.
I couldn’t decide whether I was impressed by his commitment to the lie or deeply concerned by it.
Before I could answer, a loud gasp echoed through the hall.
Draeven.
The enormous Stone Demon moved with shocking speed.
One moment he was standing several paces away.
The next, he was beside us.
With remarkable gentleness, he carefully pried Brixton’s hand away from mine before stepping back.
Then he bowed deeply toward Zorathys.
"I sincerely apologize, Your Majesty."
I looked between him and Zorathys in confusion.
"What exactly are you apologizing for?"
Zorathys gave a lazy nod from where he stood.
"I was wondering the same thing."
Draeven slowly looked up. His nervous smile looked more like a grimace.
"My son wasted Your Majesties’ valuable time."
If anyone was wasting anyone’s time at all, it was the Demon King. I was about to speak when Zorathys spoke up.
"I see," he said.
Draeven immediately straightened.
"I assure Your Majesty that it won’t happen again."
Zorathys gave a thoughtful hum.
Then he nodded once.
"Very well."
The shadows around Brixton’s feet quietly melted back into the floor.
I glared at Zorathys, and he just yawned in reply, pretending like he was not the one holding the child in place.
"Can we begin the tour now?" Zorathys asked.
Brixton nodded, but before he could even take a step forward, Thalira took his hand in hers.
"Come on," she called out.
Without waiting for a response, she confidently started walking, dragging Brixton with her.
"Thalira, this isn’t our territory," Retheris said.
"So?" she asked him. "I bet I can find interesting places."
"Like the demon you awakened years ago in this same territory that almost destroyed everyone?" Zayrion asked her.
Thalira rolled her eyes.
"That was a mistake. And besides, I know the Golemhold Territory like I know my brother."
"I doubt that," Brixton said in reply. "Please follow us."
Thalira dragged him behind her, and the children followed.
Zorathys placed Aziren on the floor, and immediately he ran to meet up with the others.
"Please stop running. Don’t hurt yourself," Vaelory called out as she and Rin went after them.
Dracolthar happily followed them.
The hall suddenly became much quieter.
Only Zorathys and I remained standing where we were. Even Draeven had left at some point.
I slowly turned toward him to find him already looking at me.
He blinked sleepily, and I shook my head before I started walking after everyone else.
I had barely taken two steps before a familiar figure materialized effortlessly beside me.
Without saying a word, Zorathys slipped his hand into mine. His fingers intertwined with mine as naturally as though they had always belonged there.
And for some reason, I had the thought that perhaps he had stopped Brixton from moving because Brixton had been holding my hand...
No.
That couldn’t be possible.