Page 77 of The Divine Shallows
Elowyn observed her father’s unbreakable composure. His face was devoid of emotion, giving nothing away. Yet, where his hands rested upon the seat’s armrest, a hairline fissure had appeared in the stone that was not there before. Elowyn only felt the darkness of his aura as he leveled Elyria’s stare with one of his own.
Her eyes then widened as she watched Elyria bow boldly before their father, her older sister’s contemptuous glare just as unrelenting as his.
Elowyn looked between her father and Elyria with unease.
In the moment where Elowyn believed she would be cheering for her older sister, she instead feared for her.
26
Remembrance
Elowyn foundthe atmosphere at the Driftmoor castle’s post-ritual celebration to be lacking in genuine celebration. Despite the exchange of pleasantries and banter among the fey, the oddity of Elyria’s performance in comparison to her unblessed status couldn’t be ignored. Dismissive compliments were mingled with thinly veiled criticism as Elowyn navigated through the crowd, her goldenaureumtrailing lightly behind her. Though she attempted to block out the snide remarks, a few still pierced through the noise.
As she passed by a raven-haired fey from Erimead, likely of noble lineage, Elowyn couldn’t help but overhear her disparaging tone as she conversed eagerly with a sorceress from Lochwald. Fragments of their conversation still reached her ears.
“What an impressive display of magical prowess from the unblessed Fangwright!”
“Especially for someone deemed unworthy by the Goddess! It’s ashame she wasn’t blessed as a child. Even if she returns from the Bridge Between Worlds, she’ll never attain the first Mark.”
“Exactly! She might receive the final Mark after the Trial, but she’ll always be lacking the crescent markings on her palms, forever limited in her divine potential. How unfortunate!”
A flicker of irritation crossed Elowyn’s features as she seized a glass of honeyedvinumfrom a passing servant more forcefully than intended, taking a sip from the crystal goblet. With a composed exhale, she turned gracefully towards the two women.
“Good evening. I couldn’t help but catch snippets of your riveting conversation,” Elowyn remarked, raising her glass in a subtle gesture. “I’m curious to learn your names.”
The sudden interruption from Elowyn caused the two fey to pale and shrink under her scrutiny. Their gazes flitted nervously from Elowyn’s goldenaureum, to her ivory locks, finally settling on her fanged smile. Recognizing her identity, they exchanged a flustered glance before both offering innocent smiles and performing quick curtsies.
The Lochwald sorceress swallowed audibly before speaking, “Princess Elowyn Fangwright, it is truly an honor! I am Brynna Crowe of House Blackbane. And this is Olessa Pend of House Mirthwood.”
Elowyn maintained her passive smile, inwardly knowing she would forget their names as soon as the encounter ended but seeing no need to reveal that. She took a moment to articulate their names slowly, as though committing them to memory. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both, Brynna Crowe of House Blackbane and Olessa Pend of House Mirthwood. I’ll be sure to relay your flattering comments about our kingdom to my father, King Eamon. He would be delighted to know the names of those who hold his realm in such high regard.”
The two females appeared as if all blood had drained from their faces.
Finishing her drink, Elowyn clapped her hands together with mock enthusiasm. “How fortunate! Just before our encounter, I was searchingfor my father’s whereabouts. Now I can inform him of our exchange.” She pretended to scan the crowd. “Oh moons, I must take my leave before I forget your names to share with him.” With an elegant curtsy befitting a princess, she flashed another charming smile before gracefully departing.
Upon turning away, Elowyn couldn’t help but roll her eyes as she exchanged her empty glass ofvinumfor a full one from a nearby tray.
Since the conclusion of theVitus, her mood had soured, a blend of various factors contributing to it. Foremost among them was the looming final day of the Ceremony, with Elyria set to embark on her Trial across the Bridge Between Worlds, leaving Elowyn to face Neramyr alone. The thought of Elyria’s departure stung, though Elowyn quickly dismissed it. After all, it wasn’t Elyria leaving her; if anything, the blame lay at the feet of the Moon Goddess for these fated turn of events.
Elyria and their father were nowhere in sight. Elowyn would have willingly offered her soul to the eight moons if it ensured her sister was met with civility in the face of the seven realms. As she drained the contents of her current glass ofvinum, she reached for another.
At the crux of it all was her father’s inability to treat Elyria with anything but contempt. A child born of his own flesh and blood meant nothing to him; only power and status held significance in his eyes.
Elowyn supposed she held little power and had inherited a false status, making her equally insignificant in his eyes.
Elowyn’s troubled mood knew no bounds. She had inquired about Elyria’s plans for theVitus, only to be met with secrecy. Yet what transpired in the ritual today was certainly not what her sister had suggested. It shocked Elowyn to learn that Elyria had taught herself to summon and wield moonfire on her own—it was yet another skill Elyria possessed that Elowyn lacked.
The countless glasses ofvinumfailed to distract Elowyn from her incessant comparisons with her older sister’s abilities.
Where could Elyria be? And Draeden? Even Lyra seemed absent.Elowyn gripped the teardrop necklace hanging at her neckline. The gem emitted a soft hum, though too faint to discern whether her sister was nearby. With a resigned sigh, Elowyn helped herself to another glass and resumed her quest for a familiar presence.
“Fey of Neramyr,”Queen Aletta Driftmoor announced, her cutlery gently tapping against a crystal goblet for attention. “What a remarkable conclusion to the Sixth Day of the Ceremony! Our divine candidates have successfully completed theVitusunder the watchful gaze of our beloved Goddess. May the blessings of the many moons shower upon them tonight!”
With her lapis hair pinned back, Queen Aletta’s complexion, richly tanned by the sun, nearly copper, offered a striking contrast to the moonlit hues adorning her skin. The final Mark, unique to those pledged to House Driftmoor, depicted drifting waves and coastal mist.
“Tonight, we have yet another reason to rejoice!” The queen’s smile radiated warmth. “My sister, Princess Cleora, has accepted a long-awaited betrothal to Prince Edwyn Fangwright.” She lifted her glass in a toast toward Cleora and Edwyn, positioned to her left on their thrones. “It has been many reigns since such a harmonious union between two royal houses has been witnessed! Prince Edwyn has captured the heart of my sister, and it fills me with joy to witness such profound devotion. It is a love that even Queen Diantha herself would bless with great enthusiasm. Under the light of the next full moon, the royal couple intends to exchange the soul-bond, uniting them not only in this realm, but all realms beyond. Please join us in celebrating their betrothal and extend your heartfelt wishes for their happiness!”
Perched atop the courtyard’s highest balustrade, Elyria observed Queen Aletta’s announcement from the shadows.Leaning against the stone column railing, she surveyed the bustling crowd below, preferring the cloak of the night sky. Hidden from view, she felt a sense of solace, away from the festivities that she dared not partake in. The mere thought of joining them was overwhelming, and encountering Sylas would only stoke her anger further. Elyria had noticed Elowyn’s search for her since the celebration began, but she deliberately suppressed the magical connection between their necklaces, knowing her younger sister would only attempt to console her about theVitus.
