Page 116 of Whispers of the Elderoak

“What’s going on?” Raine asked him.

Casimir shook his head, drumming his fingers on the table. “I don’t know.”

“Look, I know you have a temper sometimes, but I’ve never seen you act like this. Are you alright?”

“I have no idea,” he replied. “I just can’t stop thinking about Elara,” he whispered as he pulled out the fox figurine he kept in his pocket. He set it on the table and looked at Raine. Ava’s appearance was reopening old wounds that he didn’t want to examine again.

“It’s not your fault, Cas. You must stop blaming yourself. And you can’t blame Ava. She had nothing to do with what happened in the past. She wasn’t even born yet,” he answered.

The door opened and Cirilla entered. “You asked for me?”

“Yes. Could you bring us some wine?” Raine asked.

“Of course,” she nodded and left the room.

Waiting for Cirilla to leave, Casimir answered, “I know. I’m not blaming her. I’m just… so angry.”

“That Deidamia is back?” he asked.

“Yes.”

Raine leaned back, crossing his ankle over his knee. “So am I.We all are.”

“And you don’t think Ava played a part in that?”

“Of course she did,” Raine said, interrupted by Cirilla returning and setting down two goblets and a pitcher of wine. Raine thanked her, poured the two of them their drinks and sipped his, thinking for a moment. “Yes, she played a part in their return, but I don’t blame her for it.”

“How can you not? If she’d never found the portal or let herself get tricked, they never would have come back in the first place. We could have remained living in peace.”

“Have we truly been living in peace, Cas? Her armies have been here ever since she departed. Sure, they haven’t been able to conquer completely without her, but they’ve done plenty of damage. Ava arriving here with Deidamia and Andras in tow was fate. The only way we can truly be rid of them forever.”

“How is it fate?” Casimir asked.

Raine shrugged. “You think it’s a coincidence the one person who could banish Deidamia forever arrived with them? And the fact that she’s our princess? This is big.”

Casimir grunted as he sipped his wine and thought, unsure how to respond.

Raine leaned forward. “I know it’s strange, but she’s Thorne’s sister. It makes so much sense. No one ever found Queen Aurelia’s body and Ava looks exactly like her, and like Thorne. Lord Pellas had the ability to open portals, and everyone knows he opened one and fled, they just didn’t know where to. Or that Aurelia was with him.”

Casimir sighed and looked at his friend, picking up the wooden fox and placing it back in his pocket. “You truly like her, don’t you?”

Raine smiled. “I do. A lot.”

“Why?”

“She’s funny and kind and cares about others. She’s determined and stubborn. Fanya told me she ran to an injured hobgoblin last night and held his hand while he died. That shedidn’t even hesitate. And then when that soldier had Fanya cornered, Ava stabbed him and distracted him, saving her life.”

“She really did those things?” Casimir asked, surprised. He’d been so caught up in battle, he hadn’t known what else happened until Aro told him she was cornered.

Raine gave him a knowing smile.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because I know you don’t actually hate her.” Raine’s smile widened. “I’m not an idiot.”

Casimir grimaced. “Fine. I don’t hate her.”

“And?”

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