Read Online Hidden Darkness (Hidden Saga Book 4) by Amy Patrick - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Amy Patrick
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not exactly the jealous type. And you’ll figure out soon enough, no one tells Culley Rune anything . So tell me how you and Ryann ended up running into each other again. That must be a good story… ”
Chapter Nine
Ryann
After church with my parents, I went to Altum to meet Lad. I was eager to find out how things had gone with Ava this morning. He was planning to show her around and basically give her a welcome to his kingdom while learning more about her.
Walking through the common area, I marveled at how much things had changed. Not the place itself—the attitude of Lad’s people toward me. I was no longer an intruder, an outsider, though I’d never be just another citizen of this underground world, which was too bad.
Those I came into close contact with acknowledged me with a nod or slight bow as I wished them good day in their native language. Naturally, their deferential treatment made me feel weird, but I understood. They showed me respect because I was the betrothed of their king, and soon, I’d be their queen.
One day, when my natural, believable human lifespan expired, I’d move here permanently—assuming I did possess immortality. It was a strange thought, that my human life would end and a whole new one would begin in this land of silence.
“Good morning, lovely.” A very audible voice behind me caused me to whirl around in surprise. From the distinct accent, I knew before I saw him it was Culley. He was casually dressed today in a black sweater and jeans. Even in his human clothes, I was once again caught off guard by how much he resembled my fiancé. He was the only person I’d ever met whose eye color even approached the mesmerizing green of Lad’s eyes.
I gave him a friendly smile. “Hello. How are you getting along here so far?”
“Well, I’m a bit starved for conversation, but the food’s decent,” he quipped. Stepping closer, he grinned down at me. “You are a breath of fresh air—literally. You smell like the woods.”
His tone and the way he raised a brow with his last statement made it feel like he’d just told me I smelled like sirloin tip steak right off the grill. I hadn’t thought it possible, but there was actually someone in the world more flirtatious than Nox.
I took a step back. “Oh. Thanks I guess. Have you seen Lad today?”
“I do believe your betrothed is still occupied with my betrothed. Shall we seek them out and catch them in the act of whatever mischief they’ve got up to?” He gave me an impish smile.
I blinked in surprise. “Um, I’m sure there’s no mischief. But, yes, I am supposed to meet him, so I’m on my way to find him. I’ll tell Ava you’re looking for her.” I turned and continued on toward the palace.
Culley fell into step beside me. “I’ll come with you. We third wheels have to stick together.”
There it was again—the insinuation that I didn’t belong here while Ava somehow did. It irritated me. I cut my eyes over at him. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh nothing. It’s just that I’m not really needed here. I’m just the plus-one, the man candy.” He winked at me. “And you… well, it can’t be easy being the only human. Especially when everyone here only puts up with you because they’ve been ordered to.”
The words were like a hard slap. Unexpected. Stinging. Offensive. But not necessarily untrue. Culley had only been in Altum for one day. How would he know how the people here viewed me? Unless it was common knowledge.
“Is that… what you heard?” I asked.
“Oh, don’t mind me. Everyone knows I have a big mouth and an even bigger…” A wicked smile spread across his face, and his eyes held a devilish spark. “Never mind. That’s a discussion for another time. Speaking of… how are the wedding plans coming along? You must be eager to get on with it.”
Still off-balance from his earlier remark and now reeling
Chapter Nine
Ryann
After church with my parents, I went to Altum to meet Lad. I was eager to find out how things had gone with Ava this morning. He was planning to show her around and basically give her a welcome to his kingdom while learning more about her.
Walking through the common area, I marveled at how much things had changed. Not the place itself—the attitude of Lad’s people toward me. I was no longer an intruder, an outsider, though I’d never be just another citizen of this underground world, which was too bad.
Those I came into close contact with acknowledged me with a nod or slight bow as I wished them good day in their native language. Naturally, their deferential treatment made me feel weird, but I understood. They showed me respect because I was the betrothed of their king, and soon, I’d be their queen.
One day, when my natural, believable human lifespan expired, I’d move here permanently—assuming I did possess immortality. It was a strange thought, that my human life would end and a whole new one would begin in this land of silence.
“Good morning, lovely.” A very audible voice behind me caused me to whirl around in surprise. From the distinct accent, I knew before I saw him it was Culley. He was casually dressed today in a black sweater and jeans. Even in his human clothes, I was once again caught off guard by how much he resembled my fiancé. He was the only person I’d ever met whose eye color even approached the mesmerizing green of Lad’s eyes.
I gave him a friendly smile. “Hello. How are you getting along here so far?”
“Well, I’m a bit starved for conversation, but the food’s decent,” he quipped. Stepping closer, he grinned down at me. “You are a breath of fresh air—literally. You smell like the woods.”
His tone and the way he raised a brow with his last statement made it feel like he’d just told me I smelled like sirloin tip steak right off the grill. I hadn’t thought it possible, but there was actually someone in the world more flirtatious than Nox.
I took a step back. “Oh. Thanks I guess. Have you seen Lad today?”
“I do believe your betrothed is still occupied with my betrothed. Shall we seek them out and catch them in the act of whatever mischief they’ve got up to?” He gave me an impish smile.
I blinked in surprise. “Um, I’m sure there’s no mischief. But, yes, I am supposed to meet him, so I’m on my way to find him. I’ll tell Ava you’re looking for her.” I turned and continued on toward the palace.
Culley fell into step beside me. “I’ll come with you. We third wheels have to stick together.”
There it was again—the insinuation that I didn’t belong here while Ava somehow did. It irritated me. I cut my eyes over at him. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh nothing. It’s just that I’m not really needed here. I’m just the plus-one, the man candy.” He winked at me. “And you… well, it can’t be easy being the only human. Especially when everyone here only puts up with you because they’ve been ordered to.”
The words were like a hard slap. Unexpected. Stinging. Offensive. But not necessarily untrue. Culley had only been in Altum for one day. How would he know how the people here viewed me? Unless it was common knowledge.
“Is that… what you heard?” I asked.
“Oh, don’t mind me. Everyone knows I have a big mouth and an even bigger…” A wicked smile spread across his face, and his eyes held a devilish spark. “Never mind. That’s a discussion for another time. Speaking of… how are the wedding plans coming along? You must be eager to get on with it.”
Still off-balance from his earlier remark and now reeling
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