Page 62 of Crown of Ellova: Vol 1

Nyvenah places her hands over her mouth, horrified, and Alachite is so angry on my behalf it radiates off his body.

Best to change the subject and continue my point to all of this.

I hastily add, “After Grayden threatened me, I ran out and Leon followed me. He had made a plan for me to escape. He told me to take my imaginary family to Fisherman’s Cove, where I would find transportation to Versairen. He had a new life planned for me there. He knew Grayden would destroy everything when he inherited the throne in a quest for more power, and Leon wanted me to be somewhere safe. He told me a small plot of land would be waiting. I could have lived in his childhood home and he said some of the local jewelsmiths could help me start over.” My head falls. “He promised I would be safe and taken care of; even my imaginary husband would be given work and the children educated in Versairen. I sent my cousin there instead.” I don’t realize a tear has slipped out until the teardrop strikes the table with a splash.

“Hey,” Tavien says softly, “imagine Grayden’s face when he finds out the crown is on his jewelry maker’s head.” That brings a wobbly smile to my lips, and some of the weight I’ve been carrying within me washes away.

Alachite puts a hand over mine and gives it a gentle pat, the anger receding. “You were right to bring Leon here, Dewdrop. He clearly cares deeply for you.”

I can only nod at that. “You should speak with him. He knows so much about Adreania and grew up in Versairen. He will be a wealth of knowledge on both kingdoms.”

Nyvenah looks at her commander. “Lillian, please go get him.”

Viella watches Lillian with a fond smile as she leaves the Command Room, the large doors closing behind her.

“You care deeply for him too,” Nyvenah adds softly. “We all see it. I do not wish to see you hurt. Your mother?—”

I can’t let her finish that sentence. “I know.”

My mother loved my father to the point of death and that is something I cannot forget, cannot repeat.

“If it is going to be an issue that he’s so near, he can have newrooms outside of your wing. Perhaps some distance will help while he’s here,” Nyvenah offers, maternal worry in every word.

“Thank you, but that is probably not necessary. Since we don’t know how long mortals can even stay here, I need to keep an eye on him.” I don’t say that the thought of him moving rooms, sleeping far from me, sends a bolt of dread through me. He needs to be near me while he’s here. This might be all the time we have in the world.

Nueena and Nyvenah look at each other, but Nyvenah speaks first. “You know more than anyone that a broken heart will kill a fae. Just because we have a luxuriantly long lifespan, it does not mean we are guaranteed it. My friend was only four years past her Zemra ceremony before her soulbond mate drowned in the Elbasan Sea. She expected at least eight hundred years and died two months later.” Nyvenah’s eyes are filled with tears. “I cannot see you die of a broken heart like she did. There are many reasons mortals are forbidden here.”

Nueena and I were just dewlings when it happened, and I desperately attempt to block out the memory of her close friend’s vacant eyes at dinners, the glowing veins like lightning strikes marking her skin, the outward sign her broken heart had fractured her magic, days before they’d found her dead, curled up on the rounded soil of her Zemra’s grave.

“Are you sharing shades for the ball?” Nyvenah asks quietly.

I shake my head, looking down at my lap. “We’re not courting, and I’m not in love with him, Nyvenah. It’s just a little crush on a kindhearted man.” What I speak is the truth, but guilt floods me as if it were not.

The press of Nyvenah’s lips displays that she remains unconvinced. “Della, have fun with your little mortal if you wish. Just be safe.”

I know she says all of this out of concern for me. I’m concerned for myself. I nod. The door opens and Leon appears with Lillian, who appears less than thrilled.

His clothing had been delivered. The leather of his riding boots shines; his breeches and white tunic are perfectly cut to his form.

He looks directly at me as his greeting smile turns to dismay atyet again finding me upset. I shake my head but his frown only deepens.

“Leon, please have a seat. We have some questions.” Nyvenah waves her hand for him to sit in the empty seat next to Tavien and not mine. Leon glances at Lillian, who pointedly sits in the chair to my right, Nyvenah’s meaning not going unnoticed.

“How can I be of service?”

“We need to know more about Adreania and Versairen. Specifically, if you believe they will join forces and attack Kalvorn?”

“I do. Grayden is adamant in his belief that Kalvorn holds the key to their survival. Food is about to run out and sickness claims most of the kingdom. His vast inner court is protected for now, but soon they will feel the pain the rest of the kingdom has felt for decades. While he has a kingdom on the brink of ruin, Kalvorn is thriving. He wants what he is not willing to care for. If nothing changes, Grayden will rule over nothing but a kingdom of ash and bones.”

“Will those who call Adreania home truly go to war at Grayden’s word?” Nueena asks.

Leon’s heartbroken expression pains me in ways I can’t explain. “They will. They would have no choice. Refusing would mean imprisonment or death, and they would likely have a better chance of surviving the war than Grayden’s fury, but the casualties would be great in either case. What little food is grown in Adreania is wilted and bitter even at the peak of harvest, which is why so much is imported from Versairen. Something is corrupt with the land, a certain wrongness one feels when in the Iron Castle. Despair is all around; it seeps into their souls. I have a theory that the sickness that continues to spread is related. If Grayden says all their troubles will be alleviated with a war, they will have no choice, but believe me, they hate Grayden. If provided with any alternative to him, they will take it. Their children are starving.”

Leon pauses. His hands on the table curl into fists. He stares out the large windows in the direction of Kalvorn. “When Grayden left for two weeks to speak with the king and queen of Kalvorn, the castle was an entirely different place.” His eyes soften. “PrincessLyrora ensured the staff got days off, we celebrated, and servants’ weddings were finally held. We got a taste of what it would be like without him, to work in the castle without fear. Those who live outside the castle only know the pain and struggle of living under Jedrick’s rule. All who live inside it know it’s going to be devastating under Grayden.”

Tavien follows Leon’s gaze over the forest. “Will Versairen agree to war with Kalvorn?”

“Grayden’s wife, Princess Erenia—well, I suppose she is queen now—is the eldest daughter of the king of Versairen. Part of the marriage agreement is if one goes to war, the other will aid. I cannot speak if the king of Versairen actually desires war. Erenia certainly does not.”

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