Page 82 of Crown of Ellova: Vol 1

Nueena waves her hand and magic flows out of her. “Sound enchantments to keep our voices to ourselves.” She sits on my bed, kicking off her shoes. “I think it’s best if you both head to the spring early in the morning. The start of the celebration is tonight and hopefully most of this court will sleep late tomorrow. Della will be expected to be at dinner, and as royal crown maker, she has to be there for the ceremony tomorrow. There may not be much time to slip away after that.”

“Do we need to hide what we’re doing here?” Leon asks.

Tavien shakes his head. “No. As a member of this court, Della has free rein to go wherever she pleases, with anyone she chooses. Now, if anyone asks why you were collecting water blutells from the Airvell Spring, you can simply say it’s for an art installation or for medicinal uses on my behalf.”

“How much do we need to collect?” I ask him.

Tavien hands me a leather sack the size of a large watermelon. “Fill this up with the leaves and get as much of the root as possible. Everything you will need is here. I suggest going to bed early if possible. It’s a long ride to the spring.”

Leon and I spend the evening dining on my balcony and eating tender cuts of meat on skewers, still sizzling in their juices, alongside steamed vegetables and brown bread with designs baked with white flour on top. We end the meal with tea and share a small poppyseed cake with lemon frosting.

Once the meal is done, we sit side by side in plush chairs in the small adjoining sitting room and read. The only sound is a crackling fire and the soft whoosh as pages turn. Leon reads from the large tome in his lap, taking notes and filling pages of his journal for reference.

I feel his eyes flit to me ever so often before they return to the book, and I find myself staring at him when he is too engrossed in his work to notice.

When the fire has gone out, I take that as a sign for us to attempt to go to sleep, and nervousness spreads.

I toss back the rest of my wine to steady the nervousness trapped within me.

Leon has a point. We slept in the same bed back at the cottage the first night, and he slept in my bed back at the palace.

I’m filled once again with the gnawing sensation of excitement and dread that is now so familiar when it comes to him. How many nights had I fantasized that he was beside me before sleep took me? It delights me to know that falling asleep next to him allows me to hear his breaths and feel the warmth of his body. His tousled hair and sleep-filled eyes only make me like him more.

After we’ve gotten ready for the evening, we slide into bed at the same time. He doesn’t offer to sleep on the floor and I don’t suggest it.

“What exactly did Lazalai mean when she said sharing in the lounge?”

It was funny this morning, but it only makes me blush now. “Well, those who live here tend to be more generous with their bodies than the other courts. Many choose to keep company for the night and indulge rather than focusing on longer-term commitments. The underground lounges offer more unique pleasures for the evening, usually with multiple bed partners. Sex is considered an expression of creativity, and we are known for our art as much as our pleasure seekers.” I laugh. “I told you this court is known for our parties, and there are many,manydifferent types of parties.”

He chuckles. “That’s the conclusion I came to, but I just wanted to be sure and to let everyone know I’m uninterested in being shared. You have all my attention.” In the caressing low light of the moon, his eyebrows pull together. “Of course I wouldn’t attempt to stop you if that is something you’re interested in participating in. I can only speak for myself. I?—”

I find his hand under the covers and trace each finger with my own. “That’s not something I’m interested in either.”

His exhale sounds relieved.

“Good night, Leon.”

He locks his finger in mine. “Good night, Izadella.”

I dream of crimson couches in dark lounges, the space empty except for us. Of thrusting hips and tangled limbs, rough hands and soft lips.

CHAPTER 34

“Barley is the only horse we have available,” the tired stable attendant informs us with a yawn. “More stables on the other side of the lake are available for trade, but they might not be open for a few hours. Most of the palace horses were taken to a nearby pasture to graze during the festivities.”

Leon and I share a glance. We don’t have time to secure a second horse.

“One horse will be fine. We can ride double,” Leon says.

We wait on the platform for the stable attendant, who returns a few minutes later with a large horse. Her pale golden coat gleams in the sun.

I take the reins with a smile. “Thank you.”

Leon wastes no time, launching himself on the back of the horse. His smile is radiant as he holds his hand out, helping me nestle myself in front of him. The tall slits of my dress reveal my bare thighs. There’s no saddle, just a thick blanket.

“Riding is one of my great passions, but I so rarely have an opportunity to indulge,” he says, excitement in every word.

I hand him the reins and try not to lean against him. I don’t want to invade his space, but his legs give a swift squeeze aroundBarley and she takes off, sending me flying back against him. His arms tighten around me.

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