Page 92 of Crown of Ellova: Vol 1

I’m resting my eyes when a knock sounds and Nueena pokes her head in. She’s wearing a purple gown that wraps tightly around her with a deep neckline that crosses below her neck. The long train of it follows her. She’s barefoot and takes a seat at the edge of the pool, her legs tucked under her.

“Bleeding started during the night?” she asks.

I can only nod and rub my hands over the soft flesh of my stomach, letting the warm water soothe the muscles. “Unfortunately. It will be over in three days, plenty of time before the ball.” I try to control my breathing through the pain. In and out, in and out.

“Want me to get the healer for some herbs?”

“No thank you, they never work anyway. What’s on your schedule today?”

Nueena picks up one of the oils, inhaling its sweet scent. “We are meeting with some court representatives about the ballroom decor, wine tasting at the Court of Green’s vineyard, and attendinga birthday celebration for the Court of Shells’ Guardian at their pool pavilion this evening if you are feeling well enough.”

I groan, not from the pain within me but from missing a trip to the vineyard. “I think I will take a rest day. Will you tell Leon I’m not feeling well and keep him entertained for the day?”

She laughs. “If you wanted a man to leave you alone when you are ill, you shouldn’t have chosen a healer. He can come with me and Tavien, of course, but I’m sure he would much prefer to be by your side.”

I lie in bed in fresh linen pants lined with folds of fabric and a soft wrapping around my breasts to help with the temporary ache in them. The bath helped some of the pain, but it still feels like a hot dagger has been sheathed through my insides as the cramps continue. Maybe I should try to read in bed, but the ache in my chest completely unrelated to my bleeding threatens to hurt even more.

I recognize what you are to me, Izadella. Fate has destined our souls to be forged together. No Guardian’s opinion matters, and no temple is necessary to prove what I feel for you, what I can sense deep within me. I don’t need to hear it back tonight. If we part ways tomorrow, know that my soul is forever bonded to you, even if we never receive a soulbond.

This man! This beautiful, protective, and kind mortal man. Leon is everything I never hoped to find. How could the sweetest words burn so painfully? He gives his heart so freely to me, asking for nothing in return except that we try. Try to find a way to make this impossible relationship work. To give him my heart as freely as he’s given his.

As if my thoughts summon him, the bedroom door that is rarely kept closed immediately swings open after a frantic knock without waiting for a response. Leon swiftly walks in and looks me up and down, assessing me.

“Why didn’t you call for me?” That strong jaw clenched tight.

Guilt trickles in. “Leon, everything is all right. It’s not something I wanted to worry you about.”

“Are you ill? Nueena said you weren’t feeling well and tried torecruit me to approve ballroom decorations and go swimming.” He hovers over me with impatient concern on his handsome face.

“You have excellent taste. I’m sure you’ll be helpful.” It’s meant to be a tease, but a cramp hits and I suck in a breath involuntarily.

He looks even more alarmed at this.

“Calm yourself, Leon. It’s just my bloodline bleeding, nothing I haven’t been dealing with for a century. I promise, it’s fine. Please go enjoy a day about the palace. Nueena and Tavien will keep you fully entertained today, and the pool at the Court of Shells’ pavilion is divine. Let the Ellovian royals show you a good time.”

He sits on my bed. “It won’t be a good time if you’re not there. Now, what hurts?”

I sigh. Fae are open when it comes to our bodies, but I’ve heard mortals have different ideas. Though, as a man of medicine, Leon is likely far more understanding. “Just temporary pain. Please go with them. There are parties happening all over the kingdom, and as Nueena’s guest, you have an invitation to all of them.”

He is about to argue with me again, but we both look towards the strong knock on the open doorframe. Nyvenah stands there with a smile and a covered tray. She wears an embroidered deep purple sleeveless robe over a vibrant green gown. Leon stands and gives her a deep head nod that makes her laugh.

“None of that. Please sit back down.”

Leon follows her instructions as she brings the covered gold tray to my desk and uncovers its delicious contents.

There are two golden teacups and a short milk pot, and matching it all is a teapot with little emerald leaves on its base. Next to the teacups is a small tray of creamy dark chocolate truffles with crushed golden shortbread on top. Pouring the tea into a cup, she adds in a generous splash of the milk and brings it, along with the truffles, over to me. “How are you feeling, my dewling?”

“Better now, thank you.” I hold up the cup in gratitude before taking a sip of the sweet almond tea with its nutty notes layered with honey and a hint of caramel.

“Good.” She gives me an affectionate pat on the top of my head as she always did when I was a dewling. “I’ll come check on youlater and see what you would like for dinner if you cannot make it down to the dining chamber, all right?”

Her motherly concern has always been such a gift in my life. “Thank you, Ny.”

Nyvenah gives Leon and me another bright smile before leaving.

Leon waits ’til he hears the front doors close before giving me a puzzled expression, but I only give him a smile as I sip on my delightful tea, watching him with amusement as he thinks of how to phrase the question I know he is finding a polite way of asking.

He takes a moment before speaking. “Why is the Realm Keeper of Ellova personally bringing you tea and chocolate in a palace overflowing with helpful attendants?”

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