Page 42 of The Divine Shallows
“Hey, can we talk?” Elowyn asked. “Earlier, I saw a path from the courtyard leading into the Elberrin Forest. It’s supposed to be gorgeous this season.”
“Sure, anything to get away from this crowd,” Elyria murmured, her gaze flickering uncomfortably around the bustling hall.
The two sisters slipped away to the Mirthwood castle’s courtyard, where some guests were already enjoying the blooming gardens and mingling. The outdoor courtyard was enchanting, the flooring made of large limestone slabs, lined with balustrade railings draped in vines. Towering willow trees swayed gracefully in the breeze, casting dappled shadows in the warm sunlight. At the heart of the courtyard stood a grand three-tiered fountain, surrounded by inviting oak benches.
Elowyn and Elyria were about to descend the limestone steps leading into the Elberrin Forest when a group of female courtiers suddenly erupted into excited whispers.
“He’s coming over here. Look, he’s coming this way!” one of them exclaimed, her saffron hair bouncing as she spoke. The others gasped and clasped their hands, one even pressing a hand to her chest.
Elowyn turned just in time to see the prince of Mirthwood strolling casually into the courtyard with a charming smile. She would have rolled her eyes, but the sight of him made her halt. She understood why female courtiers’ reactions. He conveyed a commanding aura of dominance and influence.
The Mirthwood prince took notice of Elowyn and Elyria, but first greeted his guests as he strolled through the courtyard. Noblefolk and court members welcomed him warmly, embracing him with hugs and friendly slaps on the back. He graciously bowed to the captivated ladies of the court and politely kissed the backs of their hands. Elowyn observed how everyone addressed him with high regard, as if his mere presence were praiseworthy.
Unlike the Fangwrights and Bloodweavers, the fey of Lochwald didn’t seem intimidated by their ruling royalty. They appeared to have a friendly and familiar relationship with the Mirthwood royals, which struck Elowyn as peculiar. She wondered if the fey of Eriden would cower before her or embrace her when she became queen. Her father’s presence often evoked the latter reaction.
Elowyn and Elyria remained by the limestone stairway, their soft smiles in place as Prince Caswin approached them, welcoming guests to his kingdom along the way.
As the prince neared them, Elowyn and Elyria smiled. When the prince finally reached them, he bowed deeply, his golden cloak swaying with his movement.
“Welcome to Lochwald, Princess Elyria and Princess Elowyn. It’s a pleasure to host you as guests for the Third Day. Allow me to introduce myself formally—I am Caswin Mirthwood, the Crown Prince of Lochwald,” he announced, his voice rich.
Elyria and Elowyn gracefully curtsied in response, returning his warm welcome.
“It’s an honor, Prince Caswin. The kingdom of Lochwald is truly beautiful,” Elyria replied.
“Yes, it’s stunning,” Elowyn added, tilting her head back slightly to fully direct her attention to him. “In fact, we were so drawn by the magnificence of the Elberrin Forest that we were hoping to indulge ourselves in a stroll through the woods.”
“Of course, please enjoy yourselves. The Elberrin Forest is wonderful this time of year. Although, I will caution you that the forest is vast, and folk who are not as familiar with these lands have found themselves lost after straying from the path. I can arrange an escort to accompany you if you’d like,” Caswin offered politely.
Elowyn noticed a subtle shift in his aura at the suggestion, a gentle and mild change.
“It’s appreciated, Prince Caswin, but my sister and I will decline an escort. I don’t believe we’ll wander too far from the castle,” Elowyn answered.
“Absolutely, I’ll leave you both to carry on with your venture,” he replied with a warm smile. “Feel free to call me Caswin, no need for formalities. It was a pleasure to meet both of you.”
“Likewise, Caswin,” Elyria chimed with an equally winsome smile.
Caswin dipped his head respectfully to them and gestured a small wave before turning to walk away. He headed in the direction where a few warlocks from his court were waiting in the courtyard. He led them down an indistinct path around the castle as the others trailed behind him, disappearing.
Elowyn couldn’t help but notice the saffron-haired fey from earlier glaring at her and Elyria. Nearly all the females who had been present before were now projecting auras of envy.
Descending the limestone stairs, Elowyn whistled. “Sheesh, theprince sure is popular around here. The wellborn ladies of the court are eyeing us like vultures just because Caswin gave us an audience.”
“I had no idea he was so adored. He held quite the influential air about him though,” Elyria remarked.
“You noticed that too? It was like I felt compelled to turn my gaze to him for some reason,” Elowyn said curiously. “There’s also the fact that he’s enormous. I swear he’s bigger than half of these trees.”
As they followed the natural path winding toward the start of the Elberrin Forest, Elowyn and Elyria crossed into the grassy tree line. Once fully into the forest, an entire ecosystem unfolded before them. Towering trees stretched hundreds of feet into the sky, with branches lining glorious green firs above them. Wildflowers dotted the mossy terrain, and patches of white-petaled flora that speckled the lands.
Chirping filled the air from every direction as birds fluttered through the brush of the trees. Ahead, Elowyn noticed a stream canopied by overhanging trees. Rich green vines lined the ground and the trunks, softening the sharp lines of the woodlands. The beauty of the forest embodied solitude, its untouched lands spanning for miles, the only division of Neramyr left completely natural and uninhabited by the fey.
Elowyn felt a blissful connection to the landscape around her, always sensing a mystical interrelatedness in the natural regions of Neramyr. From the majesty of the Eriden mountains, to the mineral caves of the Iron Hollows, and now to the wondrous wilds of the Elberrin Forest, each place held its own beauty.
“I wanted to talk to you,” Elowyn began with a soft tone. “We haven’t been spending much time together because of the Ceremony, which is understandable. But I just needed to tell you how much you mean to me before you begin your Trial. I’m going to miss you,” she poured out, her feelings unraveling.
The skirts of Elowyn’s rose-colored gown trailed the forest floor,but she didn’t care if the pink trim dirtied. All she felt right now was a crushing gloom. She’d give anything for the ability to pause time or change fate.
“I’m going to miss you alot. Seven years feels like a lifetime. There’s rarely a day that goes by without talking to you,” Elowyn expressed emotionally as she strolled aimlessly along the path. “I wanted to tell you thank you for being my sister. Thank you for always protecting me. I’m who I am today because of you,” she admitted softly, her fingers idly tracing the folds of her skirts.
