Page 80 of Crown of Ellova: Vol 1

Vaylin, the middle sister of Nueena and Kaylena, joins us. While Kaylena would be about five in mortal years, Vaylin is thirteen years younger than Nueena and just celebrated her one hundred twenty-first birthday. She leans against me and whispers, “Is that the male you and my sister always talk about?”

I bend down to her ear and whisper, “Yes, he is, but you can’t tell anyone.”

Vaylin makes an excited noise and looks at Leon. “Is he coming with us to the Gem Court?” Both sisters look at him appraisingly and he nods.

Before they can ask any more questions, Nyvenah calls them back. “It’s time to leave, my dewlings.”

Kaylena runs back to her mother and takes her hand.

Lillian and Viella talk in hushed tones, and when Lillan whispers something in her ear, Viella blushes, lightly slapping Lillian, who wears a rare half grin as we approach. We make our way to the portal trees, taking a different tree than before to Quartzridge. Ourgroup is large, honeyguards and High Court attendants joining, so we walk through the portals in small groups.

We step into the tree, and as the lights go out, Leon takes my hand and I give it a quick squeeze. The portal spins and spins, and finally stops shaking. The hollow door fills with golden light.

“Welcome to my court, Leon.”

CHAPTER 33

The Quartzridge crystal palace sparkles in the late-afternoon sun, the entire structure made of gold and crystal, with yellow flags atop golden spires. Vibrant music and thunderous cheers greet us as we step into the atrium. Nueena waves at everyone there to welcome her to my court.

Lazalai stands in front of the crowd between two Gem Court honeyguards, who hold large yellow flags embroidered with our crest. She claps her hands in delight and reaches for Nueena, pulling her in for a tight embrace.

“Welcome! Welcome!” Lazalai’s voice is like honey. When she’s done speaking with the royal family, she turns towards me and Leon. She is older than I am, with laugh lines at the corners of her eyes, but she has a youthful beauty to her. Covering her pale, ample chest is nothing but draped necklaces over a slip of bronze fabric; her dark hair is pinned up with an elaborate headpiece with stars hovering above her. Her sheer skirt has a six-foot-long train trailing behind her, and a thick belt hangs low on her spacious hips, draping more gilded chains over her center.

“My dear, how I’ve missed you!” She embraces me tightly. Some of the heaviness I’ve carried releases as she holds me, the sensationof coming home replacing it. I hold her tighter as she whispers in my ear, “You’ve been gone too long, my golden girl.”

Although Lazalai has been Guardian of the Gem Court for centuries, she has felt like a trusted aunt during my time here since I was young, and she still does. I was always welcomed at Quartzridge, even before I chose it as my court. My talent is continuously celebrated, my company enjoyed, and here I have a creative community centered in unity to offer support.

“Lazalai, this is my friend Leon,” I say and try for a bright smile.

“Welcome, Leon.” She does not ask more questions, for which I am thankful.

Leon is polite as always. “Thank you. Izadella has told me many wonderful things about your court.”

“Your room has been cleaned and ready for you,” Lazalai says to me before turning back to Nueena and her family. “Our finest accommodations overlooking the lake have been prepared for you. Leon, I’ll have one of my attendants find a room for you. All the rooms in the palace are full, but we have some lovely guest quarters in the lake houses.”

Leon frowns, his eyes sliding to mine.

“Oh, that won’t be necessary. He can stay with me.”

She raises one of her eyebrows and looks between the two of us, a devious grin on her full red lips. “Oh, well, this is exciting. Two historical events in one week, I see.” She links arms with me as we walk further and leans in conspiratorially. “You’ll have to tell me all the details. He’s quite delicious. If you feel like sharing, I’m sure he would be a hit in the underground lounges.”

I’m about to respond to her jest, but Leon beats me to it.

“There will be no sharing.” He tries to sound lighthearted, but he cannot hide the hardness in his eyes at the very idea of it.

This only causes Lazalai to laugh harder. “I’ll let you all get settled before dinner. Goodbye, Leon.” She winks at him before wrapping her arms around two handsome guards’ waists. One kisses her exposed shoulder before they head off, her hands squeezing each of their ass cheeks.

I turn back to face Nueena and Tavien. Nueena is laughing so hard Tavien has to hold her up. Even Lillian is smiling at us.

Leon’s frown deepens.

“Come on.” I grab Leon’s hand, pulling him past the musicians composing songs about Nueena’s greatness.

The main part of the palace is alive with art and creativity as we walk through the atrium. I wave at the fae I know, but am thankful they don’t try to stop me. While this is my court, I’ve spent far more of my life at the High Court palace, and I have few close relationships with those who live here. We walk past artisans of all kinds working on blown glass, needlework, painting, and poetry. One firefae holds glass in their hand until it glows bright orange and shifts into a vase. Another uses frost magic to turn a tray of water into an ice sculpture of Nueena. There’s a mix of music from musicians all over, tuning their instruments or writing songs.

“Each of the hallways leads to a different subsection of the palace.” I point out the window to the large lake. Temples and luxurious homes surround it, each decorated or designed to show what they create there. One home with tall pillars is covered in murals of every color. Another is made entirely of gleaming metal. At the far end of the lake are rows of vivid tents. “Most artisans trade their work at the lake pavilion if they don’t travel to other courts. Ellovians come from all over for their creative works.”

The air is tinged with the sweet smell of herbs and flowers from one of the perfumeries we pass.

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