Page 51 of The Divine Shallows
“The Eternal Tethering spell is now complete,” the High Priestess declared, her words drowned out by the thrum of celestial currents.
Elowyn couldn’t hear her. She couldn’t hear anything at all.
Elowyn merely stared at her own palms and began to construct a barricade within herself against the unfamiliar connection now woven into her soul.
18
Keeper’s Aegis
The Kingdomof Prymont unfolded in breathtaking splendor, its ethereal castle perched high among clouds in a sky of blue. Elowyn gazed out from one of the castle’s balconies, marveling at the city and towns nestled upon neighboring clouds, a metropolis of magnificent architecture and domiciles. What captivated her most were the fey of House Skyborn, gliding effortlessly between cloud communities on gossamer wings.
The Fourth Day of the Ceremony, the Keeper’s Aegis, was hosted in Prymont this season. Elowyn’s thoughts drifted to her childhood visits to the Skyborn castle, where she once befriended Syrilla Skyborn, daughter of King Nolas and Queen Emilyn Skyborn. However, their friendship waned as Elowyn’s father kept her sheltered and shielded in Eriden.
Unable to bear the revelry and festivities with such a heavy heart, Elowyn sought solace on a secluded balcony, bringing her sister Elyria along.
In hushed tones, they shared whispers from the previous day in the Elberrin Forest, grappling with the events that unfolded in Lochwald. Elowyn tried to support Elyria through her distress, while Elyria comforted her sister when Elowyn revealed their father’s actions. Elyria nearly erupted the sky as she told her, but Elowyn soothed her with reassurance before they parted ways for the Keeper’s Aegis.
Nothing could change what had happened anyway.
As Elowyn watched the fey celebrate in the nearby floating factions, she couldn’t help but envy their carefree existence, untouched by the weight of Caena’s Trial. She longed to trade places with them, to be a mere bystander in the Ceremony, free from its burdens.
Elowyn’s aura remained somber, still lingering from the morning’s melancholy.
Unexpectedly, she felt a familiar finger entwine around her hand, gently whirling her around, meeting Draeden’s golden gaze and his dimpled smile.
“I searched for you yesterday,” he murmured, planting a soft kiss on her cheek. “I missed you.”
His forthright affection tugged at Elowyn’s heartstrings.
“What’s troubling you?” Draeden inquired, sensing her disquiet. “Has something happened?”
Stepping back, he examined her closely, his caring eyes scanning for any hint of distress. It was then that he noticed her hands, reaching for one and cradling it gently, turning her palm to reveal the divine mark etched upon her skin. His aura shifted, a mix of disbelief and concern washing over him as he traced the intricate threads encircling her crescent moon.
“Who?” Draeden whispered, his voice heavy with emotion.
Elowyn attempted to speak the name, but her trembling lips betrayed her, and tears flowed anew down her cheeks. Draeden led her into a recessed corner of the quiet balcony. Tenderly, he envelopedher in his arms, holding her close as he rested his cheek against her head, his thumbs rubbing comforting circles on her back.
“I’m sorry, Elowyn,” he murmured softly, his words a balm to her soul. “It will be all right. Maybe not now, but it will be.”
Elowyn’s tears flowed freely. “My father tethered my soul to Finnor Wynward.”
“The Commander of Eriden?” Draeden’s grip tightened momentarily at the name before easing. “Your soul is still perfect to me.”
Elowyn gazed at Draeden through tear-filled eyes, gratitude overflowing within her. Wordlessly, she wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him closer. She craved the solace and safety he always brought, seeking the warmth of his embrace. Tilting her head, she hovered her lips near his, and he leaned down, closing the gap between them.
Draeden leaned into her caress and his gentle grip fell to her waist. Their lips claimed each other with earnestness. Still engulfed in their fervid kiss, he brought one hand to her neck and cradled the base of it affectionately within his grasp. With that hand, he pulled her closer and deepened their kiss. She ran a burning hand through his claret-red hair and gripped his silken strands within her fist.
At her fevered touch, Draeden only grew more eager as he, too, seized a handful of Elowyn’s snow-white locks. He pressed her body closer to him as if their connected bodies were still too distant. Elowyn was filled with a rapture as her mouth intertwined with Draeden’s. Out of all the dalliances she had before, she hadn’t felt an intoxicating euphoria like this. She wanted him,neededhim. She was enraptured with security he offered her—a sanctuary all her own.
He would be the one she'd willingly give her soul to.
Draeden had showered her in a rainfall of kindness and compassion. He cared and tended to her emotions in a way she’d never received before. Stolen moments with him were seraphic; they were wildly enchanting, and she had no plans to abandon them. She could spend eternity in his arms, and it would still never be enough.
Draeden pulled away, his breath ragged, and reality came crashing back.
Elowyn creased her brow and yanked him back to her lips. He breathed a smile on her lips and kissed her tenderly, but firmly pulled away again.
“I need to take a step back.” Draeden’s eyes were dark and his breaths irregular. “Before I take you on this balcony floor.
