Page 33 of Crown of Ellova: Vol 1

Most certainly not a favorite of mine but everything is overly sweet in Ellova, like having cake for every meal. The dried meats help with the craving for something savory. “You could say that, but it’s probably not as good as whatever you made now. Is it ready?”

Leon moves slowly off the bed and extends his hand to me. I take the assistance, and after I stand, he places a firm hand low on my back to ensure I’m strong enough on my feet. Stepping behind the partition in a corner, I change into tight black pants and a loose, deep green tunic that reaches the tops of my thighs, where my dagger is harnessed. When he sees me, he almost drops the bowl.

“Are you all right over there, healer? Haven’t seen a woman in pants in a while, huh?”

He clears his throat, putting the bowl on the counter. “You can say that. Women wore them in Versairen, but the Adreanians are a bit more…traditional.”

My eyes narrow. “The word you seek is oppressed.”

He nods solemnly. “Yes, forgive me. I would agree that is a better term.”

I sit at the table he has already set for us: plum juice, slices ofgrilled bread with blackberry jam on it, and salted butter on the side.

“You seemed to have been busy in the kitchen this morning. Were you enjoying yourself?”

“I was. I hope you don’t mind. These are luxuries I haven’t had in years. Jam? Fruit juice? Leafy greens? I feel like a king.”

I laugh. “Cook away. Whatever you wish to use is fine. Everything here is easy to replace and I’m happy for anything you make me.”

He turns back to the kitchen. Even though he has spent the morning cooking, the kitchen is clean, freshly washed pots and pans drying on the rack.

“We need to leave as soon as we finish. Grayden may not notice Jedrick’s disappearance for a few hours, but I wish for us to be as far away as possible.”

Guilt, fear, and dread beat as one in my chest.

“What do you normally do in the mornings?” he asks.

I’m unsure of what to tell him.Well, Leon, Ellova, the realm thought to be a myth, is real. Most of my time is spent with my closest friend, Nueena, heir to the Ellovian throne. I’m treated like royalty in its palace, there’s never a shortage of balls and parties, and I have enough gems to make jewelry for a millennium.

I go for the barest truth of my life.“I go for rides or a long walk before I start my work in the workshop.”

“Has that always been your business?”

“Yes and no. My mother, also worked with metals, mostly swords. My father, Nolan, was the business end, from what I understood, though he was also a talented and sought-after swordsmith in Adreania. That was a long time ago, though. Now I spend the month between bazaars making pieces to sell.”

“What happened to your parents?” he asks in a low voice.

“My father died when I was young, and the heartbreak from his death took my mother soon after. She died when I was fifteen but thankfully my friend’s family welcomed me into theirs.” It was over a hundred years ago but a fresh wave of grief washes over me.

Leon freezes in the kitchen before slowly turning back to me.He walks over and kneels on one knee before me. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Fifteen is far too young to know such heartache.”

I swallow hard, not knowing what to say. “Yes, it was, but please don’t burn your lovely meal on my account. It was a long time ago, truly.”

“I lost my parents as well, too far to have been able to say goodbye. I know that unending ache. I’m here, though, if you ever wish to speak of them.”

Leon squeezes my knees, his hands lingering for a moment before he stands and returns to the kitchen. He pulls the baking dish from the oven and begins slicing into the eggs mixed with meat and vegetables, sprinkled with cheese. He scoops up the potatoes and chopped vegetables in the pan and adds it to the plate, sprinkling everything with flaky sea salt and coarse pepper. He sets down the golden plate in front of me with a flourish.

My mouth waters at his hard work. “This looks amazing, Leon.”

“Thank you. It’s nice to feel useful.”

What an odd thing to say. “You didn’t feel useful as the royal healer?”

Leon sets down his plate and joins me. “Jedrick was terrified of illness. He kept mostly to his room; anyone who came into his chambers needed to have washed in hot water and herbs and, at times, even had to wear leather gloves. He had tasters for everything; even his bathwater was drunk before he would soak. Paranoia because of Grayden. Quite a few attempts were made on his life with poison, but the crown protected him even from that. A minuscule amount of my medical knowledge was used. The only time I ever felt useful was assisting the castle servants or Beggars’ Row, but even then, I could only help in the times I could slip away from him.”

“He was a terrible king, so concerned with his own illness. What of the sickness that spreads in the streets? How many suffered?”

“You will find no argument from me on that, but I think he was desperate to keep the crown from Grayden. The longer he lived, the more time he could buy the kingdom. Grayden got away with alot of abuse of power, but with his father alive and hiding in his rooms, he was never truly in charge.”

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