Page 45 of Night Meets the Elf Queen

“It is complicated.”

“I understand complicated well.”

“Would you understand if I said it was more difficult to leave than to stay? Remember when I told you I wanted a divorce, and he would not allow it? We shared a territory, we have children,and a long history. And it did not happen that often. I learned what I could say and do and what I should not.”

“You said it happened more times than you could count.”

She sighed. “We were together for a very long time. More time than you have been alive. It is part of my past now. It feels like another life—because it was. I decided that is not who I am anymore.” There was no excuse for it. She knew that even then, but it was impossible to part with someone powerful like Atlanta. Where would she have gone to escape him? It terrified her to think of him finding out she was alive now. The thought of facing him was the only thing keeping her from going to Runevale to find her son and two daughters. Eventually she would but she needed to build her courage and learn this new mortal body better. “I will not ever go back to him. I do not even consider him my husband. I died. Should death not set me free?”

His eyes darkened. “I hope I don’t ever meet him.”

“Why?”

“Because I might kill him.”

The corners of her mouth threatened to curl upward. “Why do you care?”

He pinned her with those eyes, like a deep whimsical forest. “Why shouldn’t I?”

“You barely know me.”

“It doesn’t mean I can’t care.”

“Maybe we should get to know each other better then. Did you prefer your life in Palenor or Runevale?”

“My life in Runevale isn’t who I am anymore either,” he murmured.

“So, you will stay here then, when you have your immortality back and the threat of the council is gone?”

“Yes, I will remain in Palenor to be High King.”

So, he wanted to be where Valeen wasn’t? Or was it duty that called him? Most gods wanted to be in Runevale. It was their homeworld.

The heat of the water was getting to be a bit much, so she rose until it was at her waist. Steam rolled off her skin and the water clung to her white bralette. She noticed his eyes slowly move down. It was only then she realized how see-through the fabric had become. But she was never one to be embarrassed of her body and it seemed silly to dip back under.

“What do you want out of life, Thane?”

His throat bobbed and green eyes flicked back to her face. “I don’t know anymore.”

“But you did once?”

“Yes,” he whispered.

“Well, I want to travel the realms. I want to see the Deserts of Anahar and the woodland elves’ tree houses. I want to walk down the infamous Pearl Avenue in Ryvengaard with the dragons and see the ice caves in the Frostlands. I rarely left Runevale. Seeing this place has been a dream. Thank you for showing me around.”

“Why didn’t you do this before?” His brows knitted.

Cupping water she splashed herself and thought back. “I had responsibilities. I felt chained to my territory in some ways.” Admitting that Atlanta didn’t like her leaving was hard, but she finally said, “And Atlanta hated when I left. If I did leave the realm, it was with him, and he does not enjoy traveling.”

“Because he thought it was dangerous or…”

She frowned. “Partly, but mostly because he was worried I would fall in love with someone else.”

“And yet he had other lovers.” Thane shook his head. “Well, now you can do whatever you want. How does it feel to be free?”

She spread her arms wide and tilted her chin toward the azure sky. “It feels like when you see a bird flying, riding on the wind simply existing. Without him here I get to be… me.”

Thane smiled and she couldn’t help but admire his full lips over his perfect teeth, but it slowly faded.

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