Page 27 of The Divine Shallows
Leaning on the balcony ledge, Elowyn breathed in the calm of the night before turning to find an intricately crafted iron-wrought table spread with fare and two goblets filled with fey wine. Draeden lounged in one of the cushioned chairs, gesturing for her to join him. Elowyn accepted it without hesitation as she plucked a dried apricot from the tray and popped it in her mouth, savoring the sweet taste as she settled into her seat.
Draeden admired the skyscape, swirling his goblet thoughtfully before taking a sip. “Do you experience this view every night?” he asked.
“Most nights,” Elowyn replied. “Though some are less enchanting than others. I’d like to believe that Eriden holds a beauty that no other place has in Neramyr.”
“It certainly is something. My home in Orwyn doesn’t hold quite the same charm this place has,” Draeden remarked.
“I’ve never been…This is the first Ceremony where I’ll be able to travel to all seven realms,” Elowyn admitted. “What’s Orwyn like?”
Draeden paused, contemplating his response. “Orwyn lies in the badlands of Neramyr. It’s vastly different from Eriden. The air is dry, and the land is mainly rocks and clay soil. We have some grasslands, but they’re sparse. Orwyn has its own appeal, though. You’ll discover it for yourself soon enough.” He chuckled and took another sip of wine, leaving the mystery of Orwyn to unfold in the days to come.
“I’ll be sure to report back to you about my thoughts once I’ve set my eyes on your kingdom myself,” Elowyn smiled.
“Please do,” Draeden responded with a smirk. “I hear they have a handsome prince.”
Elowyn playfully rolled her eyes as she assembled a snack of smoked meat, aged cheese, and salted crackers, pairing it with sips ofvinum.
“Besides our occasional glances and banter, I realize I don’t know much about you,” Elowyn mentioned. “Out of curiosity, what prompted this?” She gestured her hand between them, referring to their interactions.
“To be honest, I didn’t remember you until I saw you at the Temple of Caena,” Draeden admitted. “But once I did, memories of the previous Ceremony flooded back. I was curious about you.”
“Interesting. Well, I can assure you I’m not as shy as I used to be,” Elowyn chuckled. “How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-two,” Draeden answered. “And you?”
“Nineteen,” Elowyn replied, taking another bite.
“Our entire divine cohort is young… The infamous ‘sacred seven’ as Neramyr likes to call it,” Draeden mused. “Whatever the Goddess has in store for us, I’m not exactly eager to find out.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Elowyn confessed. “I’m terrified of the Trial. I spoke with Finnor earlier; he seemed quite shaken. Honestly, all the returning candidates appear to be. Except for theprimis, of course.”
“I’ve noticed that too. I haven’t had a chance to speak with Serafina, yet. But I imagine she feels the same as theCommander,” Draeden remarked, referring to the newly divine Darkmaw sorceress sworn to his House.
“Lovely. I can’t wait until that’s us,” Elowyn nervously chuckled.
Amidst the festivities of the Ceremony of Caena, many forget the dangers beyond the Bridge Between Worlds. Those lands harbor beasts and monsters from the Old Age—a dark reminder of the Trial’s treacherous nature.
When called to the Trial, a fey must comply; refusal was considered treason against the Goddess. Candidates are expected not only to survive, but to thrive in an environment designed to test their knowledge, strength, and resolve over seven years. There had been candidates who have returned across the Bridge Between Worlds broken and defeated; never living as their former self and wasting away into nothingness. These warlocks and sorceresses were exiled; refusing to wield the divine magic they were given for the benefit of the seven realms.
It was said that to be chosen to receive the final Mark of Caena was as much of a blessing as it was a curse.
“We’ll make it through,” Draeden vowed, as though he could hear Elowyn’s thoughts aloud.
Elowyn’s attention turned to him as he as he held out a pinky finger to her in solidarity. After a moment’s consideration, she extended her own, intertwining it with his.
Throughout the lulling night, the two heirs delved deeper into conversation, baring their truths and fears, sharing their hopes and dreams, and exchanging quiet laughs and secretive smiles. Their dialogue only ceased when the moon surrendered to slumber, and the sun stirred awake.
As their time drew to a close, Elowyn found herself captivated as she watched the prince disappear through the shimmering pillars of a moongate, leaving her with lingering feelings of mirth and mystery, carrying those emotions to her bed.
10
Favor of the Seven
Elowyn wasstartled awake as Ora barged into her room unannounced like a wayward windstorm. The headstrong handmaiden began ripping off the covers that enveloped the Fangwright princess and shooed her out of bed.
“Up, up, up! It’s well past the hour you should have risen,” Ora scolded, nudging Elowyn to get moving.
“Fine, fine. Moons, what arudeawakening. I’m getting up...” Elowyn grumbled as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
