Crown of Ellova, Vol. 1 (Crown of Ellova Duology)

Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

A t Nueena’s delighted expression, Leon and I squeeze our hands under the table at the same time.

“My first act as Realm Keeper will be to allow you to stay and have an active hand in the elixir creation. The flower has been lost for so long but this may give us a clearer vision of its creation. Now we know what it looks like, so there is hope that we may grow it. I wish to see healing and restoration in the mortal kingdom. Once Adreania’s people are healed, they can make a stand against Grayden. Especially if the crown is indeed a requirement to reign, he will have little ground to stand on.”

“Once Inara’s diary is verified by the Scroll Keeper of the Ink Court, of course,” Alachite adds. “I will bring it to her now. Some translation will need to be done as well.’’

“Thank you.” Leon’s gratitude and mine are expressed at the same time and I want to laugh, but Nueena’s smile fades slightly to concern as she takes in our close proximity. The soft clicks of Nueena’s heels on marble are the only sound as she walks over to us. From her new perspective, she gazes at our entwined hands. This time when I pull my hand away, he reluctantly releases me.

Leon stands and faces Nueena.

“This is all on one condition, Leon. The blood vow ensured you did not enter with malicious intent, but that doesn’t mean you are safe here. You do understand that the magic here will start to affect you? It will tear at you. Your mind will betray you and madness will come for you. Mortals were never meant to be here. That’s why they are forbidden. When that moment arises, you will withdraw from all work completed and accept that any vow of loyalty to the crown will be completed. If Adreania is not safe, you will need to find a new life far from here. Since mortals have been forbidden since Drystan, I do not have a timeline.” She turns to me. “Del would be the only one with any idea of when that would be, but I will leave that up to her if she wishes to share with you.”

Leon tries to meet my eyes, but I avoid his gaze at the vague mention of my parents. I only hear him say, “I understand. When that happens, I will return to my family’s home. I will keep a log of how I am feeling, and I’m sure Izadella will keep a close eye on me for the foreseeable future as I become her shadow. I will not leave her side until I have no other choice.”

The way he says it, I can sense a small smile there. I can hear it in the way he says her side .

When I look up, Nueena holds out her hand to him and they shake.

“Izadella trusted you enough to bring you here against the laws we have in place. Lillian will be all too pleased to bring justice if you prove that trust was treasonous.”

“I would expect nothing less.”

Confident in her ability to make good on Nueena’s words, Lilian adds with a sardonic smirk on her darkly painted lips, “Any suspicion of betrayal to either Ellova or Della, you will be thrown into the dungeons, where your wilting mind will be your only companion while you rot.”

Nueena cheerfully claps her hands together. “Wonderful. For now, if he is staying, he needs clothing and any other necessities.”

All the suffocating fear that was coiled begins to loosen its grip around me. Leon can stay for the time being, and the royals are grateful for him returning a text so precious it will be seen as sacred by sunset .

“We can take him to the market now,” I say.

Before we leave, Tavien strolls over to the window closest to him. He raises one hand, and a blueish-white fire bursts from his palm. The glowing flame flickers up the shattered glass, which burns brightly. Before the first glass is finished, he sends a flaming sphere to each fractured window. One by one the flames are extinguished at the tops, leaving the glass shiny and new.

“Oh, thank you, my dear.” Nyvenah affectionately pats Tavien’s cheek as she exits.

Tavien comes to stand at Nueena’s back with an automatic hand on her hip and holds two golden ear cuffs with delicate points at the top. Typically worn as adornments for more extravagant celebrations, they will hide Leon’s rounded ears from anyone who looks too closely. I made them as a gift for Tavien many years ago, and I am touched that he thought to bring them for Leon.

Leon thanks him and places the cuffs over his ears. I reach up to mold the metal to fit him, but nothing happens.

Right.

I’d forgotten for a moment that gold is no longer mine to command.

Never mind, it will work for now. Leon notices the way my face falls, but thankfully says nothing as he follows me out of the throne room.

T he sounds of the city center of Lavencia, Ellova’s capital city, grow louder as Tavien, Nueena, Leon, and I pass into the crowded market that completely surrounds the Ink Court’s circular library. Facing the round library are tall marble structures standing on one side of the market’s entrance. Shoppers stroll through the dozens of shops that encircle the trading quarter as sunset nears. Daily vendors have set up shop in the curving cobblestone road. Freshly baked bread and roasting meat cooked over an open flame permeates the air, the scents mouthwatering.

“How was your time with Viella?” I ask Leon .

“It was interesting. She is—” He looks thoughtful.

“My dear friend.” I narrow my eyes at him in case he plans on saying anything unkind about her.

“I was going to say energetic. She seems like she gets more done in an hour than I get done all day.”

Relaxing, I laugh at that. “Yes, she certainly does.”

“Will she continue to be my babysitter? She is incredibly sweet but she asks a lot of questions at an alarming rate. She almost got my whole life story out of me.”

I giggle at that. She is particularly good at her job, and unfortunately for Leon, he had no idea who he was speaking to. “I’ll try to keep you near but I cannot promise anything.”

A young male carrying a tray of flaky jam tarts to a nearby booth stops to offer us some and wishes Nueena well for her coronation. I grab a few, passing one each to Nueena and Tavien, and Leon takes his own with a polite thanks. He chews slowly as he walks beside me, taking in the lively crowd.

Most of those selling have some symbol of their court on display, with banners in the shop windows or hanging from their carts.

Nueena and Tavien stop to speak with some vendors, but Leon and I keep walking, taking in the succulent smell of seasoned meat roasted on red sticks wrapped in a large purple leaf for travel with a sweet and spicy sauce dribbled on it. I steer him over to the elderfae with drooping pointed ears and small spectacles.

“Hungry, you two?” he asks kindly, flipping the sizzling fare.

“Very much so, thank you.” Leon nods next to me.

A long paper is pinned to his cart, listing the trade options he will accept in exchange for his delicious fare. The items range from a joke to a new roof for a friend’s shop . I search the list and see Gift for a new Zemra mating - female. I rifle through the jewelry I’ve brought and pull out a small pair of pink-and-yellow diamond stud earrings. The seller peers through the cooking smoke and nods hastily.

The elderfae chooses the four sticks with the juiciest portions, adds extra sauce to ours, and hands us the purple leaves to carry our meal. I thank him with a bow. Leon sees this and does so as well.

“So coins are useless here?” he asks quietly when we have walked further away so as not to be overheard by the vendor.

“We don’t have any currency. It’s all by trade, barter, or gift.”

“So if we had nothing to trade, it would have been a gift?”

“Yes. We are hungry; we had a need and he provided it. If it were a larger, more pressing need, he would have sent a trade reminder to my court to settle the cost.”

“Surely those earrings were worth a hundred times the cost of four meals.”

I wish I were surprised by his questions, but after spending time in Adreania, I know how greedy mortals can be, how different it is here. He may be a selfless man but he has known many who are not.

“Since the trade was not equal, he will balance it out. Watch.”

The vendor raises a small yellow Gem Court flag.

“Now anyone walking by will be offered a meal. The flag is yellow for my court, but if it had been Nueena, the flag would have been purple.”

“Fascinating. What a wonderful place to live.”

Most trade something small with the vendor: a new ink pot, a glass of wine from a vendor next to him, a bag of apples. But a few fae see the flag and enjoy a meal without the need to barter for it. A father with three dewlings takes just enough home for his household, the little ones at his feet each carrying their own meal. A small group of young scholars from the Ink Court rush the cart, delighted for the free meal after their classes as if they didn’t have a delicious evening meal within the library before us.

“Fae magic is infused with the land and water, so everything grown in Ellova is naturally flavored with sweetness. All food will taste overly sweet to you, like a dessert. Even if it looks savory like meat and cheese.”

He takes his first bite. “This is delicious! It is remarkably sweet, but the heat at the end balances the flavors.”

“Fire peppers. ”

He watches everything around us. “Why do most of the vendors have banners with shades of green?”

“There are six courts. The Court of Green is mostly agricultural—those who tend farms, guard livestock, keep gardens, and grow or bake anything. Mostly food-related, really.”

“What are the other courts?”

“Well, besides Nueena’s, which is called the High Court, no court is greater than the others. Every court plays a vital role here. The Court of Shells is shipowners, sea crews, dock workers, fishermen, and sea guards, anything with relation to the waters around us.”

Two guards walk by, laughing at something. Their red capes flow behind them.

“What about them?” Leon asks before taking another bite.

“They are from the Court of Swords, protectors. Ellovian Guards, sentinels, blacksmiths, personal guards, and the defenders of Ellova.”

Leon looks thoughtful. “Is one born into their court, or is it by profession?”

“A little bit of both. You can be born and do the task your family did, or you can move around. Mostly, it all has to do with the powers fae are born with. All fae have some magic, but some are more inclined towards certain gifts. Gifts show up as dewlings. Most fae are drawn to where their power would be best used and where they can be taught by elders who share those gifts.”

Leon peers in the window of a bright apothecary with a touch of yearning but turns back to me to ask, “When did your powers first arise?”

The sudden sadness at the reminder of the magic I’ve lost hurts, but it is a happy memory, so I share it. “I learned I could manipulate metal at a young age. My mother could not understand how I kept crawling out of my crib until she saw the bars bent while I played with my toys in the kitchen in the middle of the night.” I let out a pitiful laugh and he joins in with sincerity.

“Have you always been a member of the Gem Court?”

“The Gem Court has always recognized me as a member of their court, even though I don’t live in Ellova all of the time. The metal-wielding of a jewelsmith is a rare gift and the Gem Court is home to artisans and crafters. Viella has been a member of every court over the centuries. We have plenty of flexibility here if someone chooses to go elsewhere. Each court has a unique need for all gifts and talents, but some are simply better suited for certain ones. The courts ensure everyone is cared for and all fae talents are used. Nyvenah and the High Court are entrusted with the care and stewardship of all of them.”

Shops are set up under bright-colored fabric or enchanted flowers. The small stores have vibrant window displays, and their sellers stand in the doorways, holding their goods out to entice the evening visitors. Cheerful cloth makers hold up fabrics dyed bright colors, and near them a spice maker gives out a dash of her blends for those interested in a taste.

I walk slowly so Leon can take everything in. He looks from shop to shop with wide eyes. This is nothing like the markets of Adreania, where most cannot afford anything being sold.

In the Court of Green’s rows, farmers have tables piled high with ripe fruits and seasonal vegetables from the east fields, their horses resting nearby from the long journey with heavy carts. The warm scent of spiced meats mingles with the bakery smells of fresh cakes. A cart selling peppers has its small blue flag up. I send up a thought of gratitude for whoever left extra from the Court of Shells.

I point to a fresh green pepper. “One please.”

He hands the plump vegetable to me and lowers his flag. I return to Leon, who has his back to me, watching a fae woman hold out small jars of honey from her family’s farm to those who pass by, a black Ink Court flag waving behind her.

I tap him on the shoulder, and when he turns around, I present the smooth pepper to him. “A gift for you.” I’m delighted when he seems genuinely touched by the small gesture.

“Thank you.” He takes a bite and offers it to me. “Would you like some?”

I shake my head with a soft chuckle. “No, you enjoy that. ”

Leon is so handsome when he smiles my heart skips a beat, and I force myself to keep walking to avoid embarrassing myself.

Bright yellow fabric connects on the roofs above, welcoming us to the Gem Court’s section of the Lavencia market. I exchange greetings with the shop owners I’ve known for decades, but we keep moving until we reach our destination, not wanting anyone to ask me for something that would require my magic.

I enter the large shop made of blue stone, the Calendula, with its flower-lined windows that feature canvas-molded mannequins wearing elegant flowing gowns.

We are greeted by the assistants cheerfully sewing real flowers on corsets and helping to pick out fabrics in the front corner with patrons. There are four trees in each corner with clothing pieces hanging on every branch. Intricate lace tops and gowns with billowy iridescent skirts on display. With the coronation soon arriving, the shop is crowded with those looking for extravagant garments to wear to the festivities.

Tavien walks Leon over to the more masculine cuts, and they discuss colors. Nueena and I smile at Hiliyah as we peek into her private office. She stands behind a dress on the stand, watching an assistant, Cora, use her magic to pin up a skirt. Sharp silver pins hang frozen in the air near her hands, waiting to be used, and around the room, fabric swatches of every color hang by invisible strings.

Hiliyah has her long curly brown hair tied up in a large bun on her head and is holding sketches of the gown being worked on by her seamstresses. Her youthful tan face lights up when she sees us.

“Hello, hello.” She moves to join us but Nueena stops her.

“Please continue. We’re looking around. Finish your design.”

Hiliyah nods, and with a wave of her hand, a floating roll of fabric glides to her. She returns to supervising the construction of a gown the color of a raven’s wings, the bust covered in dangling teardrop gemstones that swing at any movement. A gown for someone in the Ink Court.

Nueena notices me looking back a few times. “How do you think Leon’s handling all of this? ”

Turning to face her, I shrug. “He’s mostly curious and asking a lot of questions. It is tremendously different here. I just hope he can stay for a while, and that we have more history on any other mortals here besides my father.” I shove down the rising emotion at mentioning him.

“Being born in a place like Adreania, I imagine anything is better,” she says, misery for the misfortune of others in her voice.

I don’t have it in me to respond, so I pretend to see what new gowns are available, but I watch Leon. He picks out black pants, knee-high boots, and a green tunic the same color as his eyes.

When Hiliyah does come over, she takes in Leon’s form topped with the ear caps.

She looks at me with a questioning expression and I sigh before giving her a small nod. Her face lights up as she turns back to Leon.

“The healer, is it? I’ve heard so much about you. Della, you were right; he is incredibly handsome.” She gives him a bright, mischievous smile before winking at me.

All of my friends’ inability to feign ignorance of this man’s existence or at the very least not rush to spill my secrets is expected if not a little vexing, but the pleased grin Leon wears at yet another one of them knowing about him washes any true annoyance away. He chuckles at my embarrassed sigh.

I may need to stop introducing him to those who already know of him before his ego explodes.

“This is Hiliyah, Royal Gown Designer and my dear friend,” I say as they shake hands. “This is Leon, a fact you already made awfully clear you know.”

“You have a beautiful shop,” he says with clear sincerity.

She beams at his praise of the colorful surroundings of her store.

“Thank you. You can change here.” Hiliyah grabs a dark green vest off a branch and points to a small changing area for him. He gives me one last glance before disappearing behind the thick yellow curtain.

She turns to me, lowering her voice. “Kole was here earlier, snooping. ”

I sigh and she takes my hand, leading me to the front of the shop near the main windows, not wanting Leon to overhear. I keep my voice low just in case. “What now?”

“He was asking what you are wearing to Nueena’s coronation ball. I told him if he wanted to share shades with you, he would have to ask you himself, but he did try to bribe one of my assistants with a variety of valuables.”

“Thank you for not telling him, and please apologize to whoever he bothered for me.”

“Stop being polite, Della. Tell him to sail his ship far from you, or at the very least to stop coming in here. Next time he comes in, I will use my most horrid fabric and make him a shirt so ugly that his own mother wouldn’t even dance with him.”

I laugh at that, but it dies on my lips as the damn male we were talking about strolls in.

Captain Kole.