Page 13 of Crown of Ellova: Vol 1

Her guard, however, does not move, his hand resting on the sword by his hip. He looks only a few years older than Lyrora. Dark auburn hair slicked back, he keeps an eye on the crowd, glaring at those who venture too near.

“Did Healer Leon already visit you?” Her friendly question takes me off guard.

“Er, yes, yes, he did. You’ve just missed him. I believe he went to check on your father.”

She nods politely. “I will see him later, I’m sure.”

I look down at the nearly barren table “Your Highness, you have my apologies. Most of the jewelry has been sold. Had I known you wished to purchase some jewelry, I would have reserved my favorite pieces for you.”

“That is all right. Healer Leon has bought me some beautiful pieces from you.” She reaches up to touch the pink diamond necklace Leon asked me to create for her two summers ago.

For the last two years, he has commissioned something from me each month. The night we met, he requested a locket, and the month following, a variety of cufflinks. Soon it became pastel gemstone bracelets for Lyrora and obsidian necklaces with black diamonds for Erenia. Occasionally, a few simple earrings for some other healers aiding him. Half of his requests seem to be made up on the spot and he is never very interested in the final results I present to him, so I suspect he simply wants to ensure my family’s survival and support my fraudulent business.

Guilt and gratitude twist my already anxious stomach, knowing he spends so much of his coin every month so we can share a few heartbeats together.

“I am grateful to have more than enough,” Lyrora continues. “I wanted to thank you for all the pieces you have created. I’ve enjoyed wearing them and I know they have brought Leon much joy commissioning them.” She looks at me with a strange sorrow. “He speaks so highly of you. I wish you two could have been better…” She pauses before settling on “friends.”

I’m at a loss for words. Why is she saying this and what does one say to that? Did Leon tell her of his plans to warn me from returning?

If Arra, a mortal jewelry maker who lives in Adreania, were real, what friendship could there have been between Leon and me? What paths would cross for a married artisan and a man who gave up his life to aid the crown, forsaking anything that distracts him from the care of his king? Has he ever seen a day of rest from Jedrick’s constant needs in the years he’s worked in that castle? Those who have sworn blood oaths to the crown live a life of endless service, a higher calling to the throne. One of the many, many reasons we would never have a life together. We could never be anything more than passing acquaintances in a dull life here.

I can only give her an honest answer. “That would have been nice.” It would have been wonderful if we could have truly been friends.

Before our conversation can continue, her guard leans down, whispering in her ear.

Her shoulders stiffen, knuckles turning white on her throne’s handles. Fear spreads over her features, her lips pressed together in distress. “I’m so sorry, Lady Arra. I must go, but I wish you well with everything. May the gods keep you safe.” Before she can say more, she is swiftly pushed away by her guard, and suddenly I realize why.

Prince Grayden moves slowly through the crowd. The guests part, bowing along the way.

He stops only to speak with a few men, ignoring the women at their side, but he keeps his eyes on me before he walks over to my table. I pretend to fix a piece of jewelry for a woman trying on my last bracelet. When he is in front of me, I grind my teeth and bowdeeply, holding my dress out to my sides. “Welcome back. How were your travels, Your Highness?”

“Fine, Lady Arra, just fine.” He looks down his nose at me, wearing a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

“I have some jewelry that would look lovely on your wife. Perhaps a sapphire necklace? To match her eyes?”

He ignores my reference to Princess Erenia. “I offer you a treat.” He snaps his fingers, and a servant steps forward with a tray. Grayden holds out a plate of cut-up fruit, a rarity since nothing sweet grows here anymore, and my blood turns to ice, the breath trapped in my lungs.

The fruit on a silver platter is the size of my fist with a bright green rind and light purple pulp inside. It has been cut up wrong; it’s meant to be peeled, but this was hastily cut down the sides, the juice spilling out over the dark purple twisted seed. I stare at him and he looks pleased with my silence.

It’s a rare and sacred fae food that only grows when a new heir is to be crowned and comes from the navlue tree. But that tree only grows in one place…

The throne room in Ellova.

Dread crashes into my chest.

Who in Ellova has betrayed us?

Panic rises so swiftly within me that the world sways. Does he know about Ellova? If he does, who told him? “Try it.” His words are not a suggestion. “It is the sweetest thing you will ever taste. Like pure sugar.”

The crushing panic makes it difficult to speak but I manage to choke out, “No, no thank you.” This fruit is only to be eaten at Nueena’s coronation. It’s forbidden for anyone to touch it before the sacred ceremony crowning her Realm Keeper.

His eyes narrow on me. “What?”

I try to shrink my body, shoulders tightening in on myself. “I couldn’t possibly. Such a fine gift should be yours and yours alone, Your Highness.” I force myself to sound only slightly curious. “Wherever did you acquire such a fruit?”

“A new friend gave it to me.” His tone is harsh, final. “And now I want you to try it.” He holds out a slice impatiently for me to take.

He has moved behind my table now, my back going completely straight with fear as he nears me. Thunderous applause erupts in the room from something on the stage. Bright lights draw the crowd towards the front, their backs to us, leaving us in the unbearably hot darkness.

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