Page 18 of King

“Wow,” Rue breathes. She gently bounces the pup in her arms as she takes everything in. “It’s beautiful here.”

“Come. We must see the Hendama,” Vaegon says as he turns and heads toward the forest.

I have no idea what that means, but we don’t have much of a choice. I hold Rue close to my side as we cross the clearing andfollow him into the trees.

There are no huts or tents that I can see, making me wonder where the elves sleep.Do they sleep?Elves didn’t always hide. The smaller villages like mine tend to hold onto old ways, passing stories down to each new generation. I know that Elves once sold their spells and fine linens at the markets. My mother has a very old pair of gloves made by elves that were handed down to her.

Rue and I are getting a glimpse into their hidden world. I have no idea what to expect, but I know that I’m incredibly lucky to be here.

After a few minutes, a lone elf comes into view, sitting on a thick patch of red moss. She stares intently at us as we approach, almost as if she’s been expecting us.

“Hendama,” Vaegon says, closing his eyes and bowing slightly. “The visitors… as you requested.”

His behavior tells me she’s some kind of leader. Or, at least, superior to him. And I suspect she was communicating with him somehow before he allowed us to enter their territory.

As soon as Vaegon steps aside, the Hendama extends her hand to Rue. “Come, sit,” she says.

Rue carefully lowers herself to the ground across from her. I step forward to join her, but the elf holds up a hand to stop me.

“Not you,” she says firmly. “The little one has a great purpose ahead of him. You, however, have much to do right now. Go.”

My stomach lurches as if I’ve fallen from a great height. Shapes and colors blur around me like I’m caught in a whirlpool. I feel like I’m drowning. But after a few seconds, it all stops, and I find myself back in my room at the castle.

The weight of the cold castle air amplifies my panic, forcing me to my knees. I’ve been separated from Rue and Vaegon again, in the place I hate most in the entire realm. There’s no life here. Finding a breath within these walls is a mission in itself, everysingle time.

My instinct is to flee the castle, rush back into the forest to find them. It would do me no good, though. The entrance to elven territory isn’t a physical place. No one can find it. I’d end up wandering in circles, setting fire to everything that I came into contact with.

I need to calm myself down. Blocking out the panic, I stomp over to the table near my bed. After pouring myself a glass of water, I take a moment to run through what I know.

Elves are not violent. They won’t hurt Rue or Vaegon. Especially since the dryads were the ones to lead them there. The Hendama said Vaegon has a great purpose in store for him. She must be some kind of seer. It’s the only magic I know of that involves knowledge of the future. If that’s indeed what she is, she probably knows what she’s doing.

That doesn’t make me any happier about being separated from Rue again, though. My chest aches as each labored breath is stolen away by my panic and longing. What exactly am I supposed to be doing here? Suffering alone in my room doesn’t seem very productive.

My stomach pinches and lets out a long growl. I realize I haven’t eaten since before the celebration last night. Eating is always a good distraction. I suppose I can do that while working out why the seer sent me here. I leave my room in search of food. It’s still early in the day for most of the nobles to be awake, so I eat in the dining hall instead of sending for the servants.

I have my fill while wondering what I’m supposed to do first. Meeting some of the shifter leaders face to face seems like a good place to start. They’re known for being fiercely aggressive as well as relentless hunters. I think they’re also the most likely species to be willing to help me fight. Hopefully, I’ve done enough to prove my intentions to them so far.

When I’ve finished my meal, I head toward the main entranceof the castle. Before I can reach the castle doors, though, the last voice I want to hear calls out to me.

I groan internally and try to keep my scowl to myself. I’d hoped not to see much of the wretched monster again for a while. Maybe once I get whatever this is over with, that can happen.

After a deep breath, I hurry over to meet her. I take a knee and look down at the cold stone floor.

“My queen,” I say, shielding my mind from the fresh memories of her bed.

“Stand,” she seethes, her voice dripping with barely contained rage.

My heart stops. All the heat in my body rushes to my skin.

I’ve angered her somehow. What changed? Just last night, she was sighing contentedly, quite pleased with me. I glance up at her expression for any hint of what’s going on.

She’s glaring at me with death in her eyes and lips twisted in disgust. “Did you happen to fuck a shifter after becoming my consort?” she snaps.

My blood turns cold. My heart begins to pound dangerously fast. The instincts to flee or to attack her wage a war on my own body.

I force the storm of my magic back down. This isn’t the time to stand against her. But I can’t lie to her, either. Her question is straightforward this time.

“Yes,” I admit, bracing myself for her anger.

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