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

Chapter 32

CHAPTER 32

I should have packed days ago for our journey to the Gem Court.

Two large trunks lie open on the floor, half-filled as I throw in a pair of golden silk shoes that match the folded gown already packed. I open and close three drawers before I find my aquatic attire and toss it in to join the rest. My best necklaces are wrapped up and safely tucked away, but the jewelry boxes I fished them out of are haphazardly pushed back into their places.

“How long will we be in the Gem Court?” Leon’s eyes follow me around the room. He sits on my bed, and even when my back is to him, I know he looks nowhere else.

I frown at my open armoire as I rifle through my extensive collection of golden-yellow dresses. “Two nights. The last four crowning celebrations lasted almost a week. Thankfully, since we have delicate matters to attend to here at the palace, it has cut the trip short.” Restlessness stirs within me and I try to shove down the building panic. It will be fine , I repeat for what seems like the hundredth time that day, taking a deep breath.

When I walk past Leon, he reaches out his hand, grabbing mine and pulling me to a stop in front of him .

“This is your court. Are you not excited to return?” He stares up at me from the bed, studying my face. He phrases the question delicately, not exactly probing.

I can tell he wants a real answer from me, but I stay silent, pressing my lips together with a shake of my head.

“Please, tell me what troubles you.”

I don’t wish to bother him with my own fears but he seems eager to share this burden. “I’m always happy to return to my court, but if it ever comes out that I’m in possession of the greatest magical item ever created…”

“Are you safe there?” Leon asks with a possessive edge to his voice that thrills me.

“Yes, of course, nothing like that. It’s Lazalai. I’ve always considered her a friend, and I think you’d like her as well.” I pause, trying to think of the best way to phrase it delicately. “Ruling Ellova is not dictated by birth, but by power. Nueena’s family have the strongest bloodline and has been in power for millennia. There’s no specific rule that the power needs to be contained within a person without the aid of a magical item. One of my fellow courtiers could make the argument that I, or my court, would be within our rights to challenge for the throne. I would never, of course; I can’t even control the magic, but I’d rather avoid it coming up at all.”

“Do you have to go? We can stay here and work on the elixir together.” His thumb brushes my hand in a comforting touch.

I snort at that. “No, no, Nueena and I have been inseparable since we were dewlings, rarely one without the other. For me to miss her crowning celebration in my own court, with a crown I made, would raise far more questions than anything else. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lazalai showed up here as soon as she realized I wasn’t there, pounding on the door, demanding to know why I missed it. It’s the celebration of the century, and if there’s one thing my court knows how to do, it’s celebrate.”

Community is a pillar of Ellovian culture, not an easy place to hide. No one can disappear here; no one goes unnoticed. It’s the way we ensure no one is forgotten, that everyone’s needs are met. That care was part of the reason the courts were set up in the first place, to form deeper bonds. I could travel to every corner of Ellova with nothing and find shelter, food, and friendship with anyone whose flag waves yellow. When I found myself heartbroken and alone after the death of my parents, the love shown to me by the Gem Court and by Lazalai, Nueena, and her family held me together. I love that about the fae. I always have, but now I wish I could fade away from memory ’til this crown is removed.

Leon gently squeezes my hand, bringing me back to him. “How can I help? Please, give me a task, Strawberries.”

I smile at the nickname.

Before I can think better of it, I push back a loose gray strand that has escaped his tie. My hand rests on his cheek, the stubble prickly beneath my palm. He leans into the touch, closing his eyes. His desire to help and his ever-eager kindness are like fire lapping at my soul, searing away my ability to stay away from him.

“If I say ‘strawberry,’ it means we need to leave, maybe not the court as a whole but wherever we are. It means I wish to avoid someone or something.”

He kisses the inside of my palm. “They will never even know we were there.”

I laugh at that and we both turn at the sound of voices in the main living space.

Spinning back to my closet, I pull out two yellow gowns and hold them up to each other to compare.

“I like the one with the yellow gems.” He gives me a sly smile. “Really brings out your…hair.”

I let out an embarrassing giggle more fitting of a dewling. “Is that so?” I hang the other dress back up and bring the citrine gown with me into the bathing chamber and slip it on. The gown is made from a dark yellow shimmering material that is sheer in some places with a dangerously low scooped neckline under a wide piece of fabric that goes around my neck. Strings of citrines hang down and cover the daring thigh slit, the gemstones touching the floor. The strands of gemstones are cool on my thighs and swing as I walk. Half my hair is up in braids and golden pins that hide the crown, and the rest hangs loosely. I don large citrine earrings to complement the dress and add heeled shoes with long strings that wrap up my calves.

When I step out, Leon’s eyes go wide at the exposed skin, his hands clenched into fists with the sheets at his side. He is quiet for a long moment before he gives his head a little shake.

“You look beautiful,” he says, his voice strained. He clears his throat.

I give a little spin in the large mirror in one corner of my room, and the gemstones twirl around me. The structured bodice underneath holds up my breasts and the pleated fabric over it reaches nearly to my waist. Leon’s eyes meet mine in the mirror and I smile at him.

“Izadella, I—” he starts but a knock on my door interrupts him.

Hiliyah stands there, holding my gown for the ceremony in a travel garment bag. There are indents in the bag, sharp points that outline the front. She looks at me, delighted. “One of my favorite designs for you!”

“Hi, Hil.” We kiss each other on the cheek, and she hangs my dress off the door of the open armoire. She takes out a few men’s dress shirts for Leon from another garment bag, all in various shades of gold, and hands them to him.

“Thank you,” he says. “Now we find out if yellow is my color.” He winks at me, the gesture so playful I’m momentarily stunned.

Hiliyah laughs. “Everyone must wear the crowning court colors during the ceremony.” She turns back to me. “Everything you need is in there. One of the Gem Court gown makers can assist you with the corset, although—” She looks at Leon. “When I designed it, I didn’t consider a dancing partner, as you never mentioned having one. You so rarely dance at these events and I went for the dramatic over function. I’m sure Leon will be willing to try.”

“The gown will be perfect! Everything you make is,” I tell her, and she helps me carefully place the garment bag in my trunk. The three of us leave the room as four palace attendants come to collect everything we need brought with us to Quartzridge, the capital of the Gem Court.

We meet with Nueena and Tavien, and together we travel down the palace steps to the main entrance, where Nueena’s family stands, waiting for her. Her younger sisters greet us first with excited waves. The youngest, Kaylena, runs up to me, her long braids flying behind her with sparkling gems and colorful beads. She leaps up and I catch her, spinning us both around.

“Delly! Where have you been? Can you make me a new necklace? I want a necklace to match my dress for today,” Kaylena asks, playing with my jewelry as she eagerly tells me what her necklace should look like in great detail.

The familiar sensation of dread descends upon me, knowing I’ll disappoint her with my answer. “I’m sorry, honey. Maybe next time.” I feel a stab of guilt at her pout and for lying to her, but she’s much too young for me to explain.

I set her carefully on the ground and she finally notices Leon, who stands behind me. “Who are you?” she asks him.

He kneels to her level. “Hello, I’m Leon. Izadella’s friend.”

Vaylin, the middle sister of Nueena and Kaylena, joins us. While Kaylena would be about five in mortal years, Vaylin is thirteen years younger than Nueena and just celebrated her one hundred twenty-first birthday. She leans against me and whispers, “Is that the male you and my sister always talk about?”

I bend down to her ear and whisper, “Yes, he is, but you can’t tell anyone.”

Vaylin makes an excited noise and looks at Leon. “Is he coming with us to the Gem Court?” Both sisters look at him appraisingly and he nods.

Before they can ask any more questions, Nyvenah calls them back. “It’s time to leave, my dewlings.”

Kaylena runs back to her mother and takes her hand.

Lillian and Viella talk in hushed tones, and when Lillan whispers something in her ear, Viella blushes, lightly slapping Lillian, who wears a rare half grin as we approach. We make our way to the portal trees, taking a different tree than before to Quartzridge. Our group is large, honeyguards and High Court attendants joining, so we walk through the portals in small groups.

We step into the tree, and as the lights go out, Leon takes my hand and I give it a quick squeeze. The portal spins and spins, and finally stops shaking. The hollow door fills with golden light.

“Welcome to my court, Leon.”