Shadow Magic by Cheyenne McCray Read Free Book Online

her chest. “My name is Hannah .”
    Sweet one, my —
    Garran looked like he wanted to laugh. “Come. Let me show you our realm. If you are to serve as liaison, then you must know and understand my people, at least at a basic level.”

CHAPTER THREE
    RICH SCENTS OF EARTH and minerals swirled in the cool air brushing Hannah’s skin as she walked beside the king. She gripped the strap of her pack tight before releasing some of the tension coiled inside her and letting her hand fall away.
    They strode across the great round hall with numerous doors around its circumference. Her shoes made soft sounds against the marble, but Garran was as silent as the D’ Danann.
    Despite the fact that his skin was a bluish-gray, the man was gorgeous. It would have been impossible not to appreciate the litheness of his movements, his grace—and power. Power in every flex of his muscles, in the way he held his head, in his very presence. He was a king in every sense of the word.
    Garran paused and gestured to the excellent carvings on the walls. “Some of our finest craftsmen created these grand works of art.”
    The carvings were mostly of male warriors in battle. Then heat burned Hannah’s skin as she slowly looked around the enormous circular hall. Were women kneeling to the men in some of the artwork? Oh, my goddess. Most of the Drow women even wore collars.
    Hannah’s gaze snapped to Garran’s. Heat flared her body and she clenched her hands at her sides. “Don’t you dare tell me”—she pointed to the carvings—“that Dark Elves treat women as subservient?”

    Garran raised an eyebrow. “It is our lifestyle.”
    â€œOh, no.” She shook her head as she ground her teeth. “You cannot make me believe female Drow enjoy being treated like that.”
    His shrug was casual. “They would have it no other way.”
    Hannah considered decking him. Or better yet, using her magic to make him a collar—and a leash. “You probably don’t give them a choice.”
    â€œCertainly we do.” He tried taking her by the elbow and guiding her to a door, but she jerked away from his touch. “However, it is a rare thing for a woman to choose not to serve a Master.”
    A Master?
    The thought of Garran on the floor with the magical collar and rope was looking better and better.
    He swept his arm out in front of him, indicating they should go through a large arched doorway that spun off from the great hall. “You will see.”
    Her lips tight with anger, Hannah walked beside Garran as they entered an underground city. For the moment awe replaced her anger.
    Stalactites spotted with glowing lichen projected down from the great cavern. The entire ceiling sparkled and more lichen caused a blue glow to give a soft light to the city.
    Homes clung to rock outcroppings and footpaths wended their way around the cavern walls. Most of the city was spread out across the smooth, obviously well-worn floor of the cavern. Narrow streets wound from one building to the next. It reminded her of the D’Danann village, yet not.
    Wonderful aromas spilled from shops that sold bread and other bakery goods, including what smelled like coffeecake. Hannah’s mouth watered even though she was still full from dinner.
    All she saw were males who gave low nods to Garran as she and Garran passed them. In turn he inclined his head and greeted each person by name. The respect in their gazes and
voices, and the way they responded to him with their gestures and expressions, told her how well they thought of their king.
    Where are the women?
    As they strolled—Garran acknowledging every male they walked by—they came across a butcher shop, a place that offered leather goods, as well as a smithy that made the breast and shoulder plates most of the warriors wore. It seemed everything one could think of could be found in this underground city.
    Except a