Page 53 of Crown of Ellova: Vol 1

“My proposal is that you allow me to attempt to create the elixir. I will need assistance, of course, but if we’re successful wehave a chance to cure the plague. I’ve been the king’s healer for years, and many who have grown up in the shadow of the Iron Castle have known me for much longer as the only healer they can call upon in the middle of the night. I don’tknowif it’s possible to make the elixir, or even if it would indeed cure the plague, but those people need it. Especially the children. Ihaveto try. Please allow me the opportunity to help them, and then I will leave, never to speak of this place or whom the forest keeps hidden.” He finishes and waits.

There is no movement or sound in the room, and the weighted stares of the entire royal family are on him.

Tavien is the first to speak, turning to me with a laugh. “I see why you are so taken with him.”

Heat paints my cheeks, and when I again make a feeble attempt to free my hand from Leon’s, his hold tightens, his thumb moving in a gentle dance on my skin.

Once Nyvenah has collected her thoughts, she straightens and draws her hands together. “While I am Ellova’s Realm Keeper for another of the moon’s full turns, this decision is not mine to make. The culmination of this would be the start of Nueena’s legacy. I will leave this decision to her. I trust her to make choices that protect Ellova.”

Nueena, still a little dazed, smiles at us. My heart leaps with excitement.

I know that smile.

CHAPTER 23

At Nueena’s delighted expression, Leon and I squeeze our hands under the table at the same time.

“My first act as Realm Keeper will be to allow you to stay and have an active hand in the elixir creation. The flower has been lost for so long but this may give us a clearer vision of its creation. Now we know what it looks like, so there is hope that we may grow it. I wish to see healing and restoration in the mortal kingdom. Once Adreania’s people are healed, they can make a stand against Grayden. Especially if the crown is indeed a requirement to reign, he will have little ground to stand on.”

“Once Inara’s diary is verified by the Scroll Keeper of the Ink Court, of course,” Alachite adds. “I will bring it to her now. Some translation will need to be done as well.’’

“Thank you.” Leon’s gratitude and mine are expressed at the same time and I want to laugh, but Nueena’s smile fades slightly to concern as she takes in our close proximity. The soft clicks of Nueena’s heels on marble are the only sound as she walks over to us. From her new perspective, she gazes at our entwined hands. This time when I pull my hand away, he reluctantly releases me.

Leon stands and faces Nueena.

“This is all on one condition, Leon. The blood vow ensured youdid not enter with malicious intent, but that doesn’t mean you are safe here. You do understand that the magic here will start to affect you? It will tear at you. Your mind will betray you and madness will come for you. Mortals were never meant to be here. That’s why they are forbidden. When that moment arises, you will withdraw from all work completed and accept that any vow of loyalty to the crown will be completed. If Adreania is not safe, you will need to find a new life far from here. Since mortals have been forbidden since Drystan, I do not have a timeline.” She turns to me. “Del would be the only one with any idea of when that would be, but I will leave that up to her if she wishes to share with you.”

Leon tries to meet my eyes, but I avoid his gaze at the vague mention of my parents. I only hear him say, “I understand. When that happens, I will return to my family’s home. I will keep a log of how I am feeling, and I’m sure Izadella will keep a close eye on me for the foreseeable future as I become her shadow. I will not leave her side until I have no other choice.”

The way he says it, I can sense a small smile there. I can hear it in the way he saysher side.

When I look up, Nueena holds out her hand to him and they shake.

“Izadella trusted you enough to bring you here against the laws we have in place. Lillian will be all too pleased to bring justice if you prove that trust was treasonous.”

“I would expect nothing less.”

Confident in her ability to make good on Nueena’s words, Lilian adds with a sardonic smirk on her darkly painted lips, “Any suspicion of betrayal to either Ellova or Della, you will be thrown into the dungeons, where your wilting mind will be your only companion while you rot.”

Nueena cheerfully claps her hands together. “Wonderful. For now, if he is staying, he needs clothing and any other necessities.”

All the suffocating fear that was coiled begins to loosen its grip around me. Leon can stay for the time being, and the royals are grateful for him returning a text so precious it will be seen as sacred by sunset.

“We can take him to the market now,” I say.

Before we leave, Tavien strolls over to the window closest to him. He raises one hand, and a blueish-white fire bursts from his palm. The glowing flame flickers up the shattered glass, which burns brightly. Before the first glass is finished, he sends a flaming sphere to each fractured window. One by one the flames are extinguished at the tops, leaving the glass shiny and new.

“Oh, thank you, my dear.” Nyvenah affectionately pats Tavien’s cheek as she exits.

Tavien comes to stand at Nueena’s back with an automatic hand on her hip and holds two golden ear cuffs with delicate points at the top. Typically worn as adornments for more extravagant celebrations, they will hide Leon’s rounded ears from anyone who looks too closely. I made them as a gift for Tavien many years ago, and I am touched that he thought to bring them for Leon.

Leon thanks him and places the cuffs over his ears. I reach up to mold the metal to fit him, but nothing happens.

Right.

I’d forgotten for a moment that gold is no longer mine to command.

Never mind, it will work for now. Leon notices the way my face falls, but thankfully says nothing as he follows me out of the throne room.

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