Page 18 of The Divine Shallows
However, Elowyn understood the consequences of delving into matters that didn’t concern her. The mystery surrounding her uncle’s departure wasn’t worth the potential fallout of prying into it.
Redirecting her thoughts towards addressing her mother’s curt demand, Elowyn wondered about Elyria’s whereabouts. Her older sister was never one to be tardy, especially not on the First Day—a time wherepunctuality was necessary. Just as Elowyn’s concerns began to escalate, Elyria finally emerged from behind a cluster of rose bushes.
“Where have you been?” Elowyn questioned, her tone sharper than intended.
“I’m sorry, I got caught up in something...” Elyria responded, her expression reflecting genuine concern. She added, “Is everything all right?”
“Do you know what happened between mother and Uncle Edwyn?” Elowyn asked.
Elyria tilted her head in confusion. “I’m not sure. Why do you ask?”
Both sisters deemed it to be a matter of lingering grudges and decided to move past it, knowing they had more pressing concerns for the evening.
It was only during their conversation about their mother and uncle’s exchange that Elowyn noticed what her older sister was wearing. A wave of déjà vu swept over her as memories of her fever dream from the previous night surged to the forefront of her mind.
Elowyn found herself staring at an older version of Elyria from seven years before.
Her sister was outfitted in a gown identical in color to the one she had worn last season on the Seventh Day—a gown of dark obsidian. Its timeless silhouette hugged her figure, with raven-like sheets of crepe.
It rattled Elowyn how treacherously beautiful her sister was. Elyria’s taste seemed unchanged over the years, as evidenced by her choice of attire. Yet, beneath her sister’s stunning appearance, Elowyn detected a hint of weariness in her eyes—a hollow stare that weighed heavily upon them. Choosing not to comment on it, Elowyn silently acknowledged that they both were dreading the upcoming week.
“How doom and drama of you to opt for obsidian instead of periwinkle blue from all those gowns in your closet,” Elowyn jested, eyeing her sister’s ensemble.
In response, Elyria retorted, “And how sneaky and clever of you toborrow one of my gowns without my knowledge, instead of choosing one from your own vast collection.”
“Fair point,” Elowyn conceded with a grin.
As a surge of magic charged through the air, both sisters recognized the familiar sensation. Turning towards the castle gates with smiles adorning their faces, they presented themselves with the charm befitting of two princesses.
“Ready?” Elyria offered her outstretched hand.
“Ready,” Elowyn replied, clasping her hand in hers and giving it a gentle squeeze.
Scores of guestsfrom the seven realms had already begun to populate the castle grounds, but the arrival of the newest guests warranted a formal welcome. A portal, known as a moongate in Neramyr, materialized within the royal gardens. The moongate took the form of an arch crafted from twinkling feylight. Stepping out of the moongate were two royal fey: King Wilden and Queen Irena Bloodweaver, rulers of the Iron Hollows.
King Wilden and Queen Irena bore the sacred markings of the divine fey of House Bloodweaver. Their bodies, aside from their faces and necks, were etched with iridescent moon-inked markings resembling reptilian scales arranged in concentric circles. Goldenaureumembellished with their House sigil, an ophis, trailed down their figures.
Approaching the monarchs, Elowyn and Elyria performed deep curtsies in respect.
Queen Irena smiled warmly, and King Wilden nodded in acknowledgment. “What a pleasure it is to be welcomed by the princesses of Eriden, and how delightful to be within Eriden’s borders once more,” he began. “It seems it has been years sincewe last journeyed to the mountains of castle Fangwright. The king and queen of Eriden have maintained remarkably tight gates around their kingdom as of late.”
Clearing her throat, Queen Irena gestured to the manicured gardens. “Indeed, what a display of splendor and beauty. It serves as a generous reminder that House Fangwright extends a warm welcome to its guests.”
Elyria responded with poise, “Your Majesties, it is a great privilege to host the Iron King and Queen during the First Day.”
The queen offered a pleasant smile before turning to Elowyn. “Princess Elowyn, as you are aware, our youngest son will join you as a royal candidate next season. It would be wonderful if the two of you could become acquainted. It is no mere coincidence that the Goddess has blessed the realms with seven royal offspring awaiting their divine call to candidacy. What an exciting prospect!”
The Bloodweaver queen, much like the entirety of Neramyr, firmly believed that Elowyn and six other princes and princesses from the seven realms would be named as the next cohort of divine candidates. They were the rumored ‘sacred seven’, destined to become the most gifted and talented divine warlocks and sorceresses the feylands had ever seen.
However, Elowyn regarded these beliefs as mere seraphic speculation and hopeful theorizing, largely due to her current mediocre magical abilities. The notion of her being among the most gifted sorceresses in the feylands seemed far-fetched at present.
“Of course, Your Majesty. It would be my pleasure,” Elowyn responded politely.
“How splendid,” Queen Irena beamed, clasping her hands together. She then turned to the Iron King. “Now, dearest, shall we greet the Fanged King and the Clever Queen?”
“Let us,” King Wilden agreed, offering his arm. With a courteous wave to the two princesses, Queen Irena linked her arm with King Wilden’s, and they strolled towards the castle entrance to join the festivitiesof the First Day.
“That was painless enough,” Elowyn muttered to Elyria once the king and queen were out of sight.
