Chapter 13

Chapter

Thirteen

T he Stormbreaker glided silently through the misty waters, approaching the shores of Ashelin. Karalyn stood at the bow, her eyes fixed on the dense forest that loomed ahead. The air was thick with tension, and a strange stillness settled over her and Harald as they neared the land of the elves. Even the sea seemed to hold its breath, the waves lapping softly against the hull as if unwilling to disturb the uneasy silence.

As they reached the shore, a group of elves emerged from the tree line, their figures tall and graceful, yet their expressions cold and unreadable. Karalyn felt a shiver run down her spine as she recognized the familiar sharpness in their eyes—disapproval, bordering on disdain. She had expected some resistance, but the reality of their reception was harsher than she had imagined.

Harald stepped off the ship first, offering his hand to help Karalyn down. Since the battle with the shapeshifters, she had kept her feet on the ship. With a slight smile, she accepted his hand, her heart heavy.

The elves said nothing, merely motioning for them to follow. Their silence was more unsettling than any words could have been, and as Karalyn walked alongside Harald, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking into something far more treacherous than they had anticipated.

The path through the forest was narrow and winding, the thick canopy above casting dappled shadows on the ground. The trees seemed ancient, their gnarled roots twisting across the forest floor like the veins of the earth itself. The deeper they went, the darker it became, the forest swallowing them whole as if trying to keep them from ever returning to the outside world.

The towering trees of the Ashelin forest loomed above Karalyn as she and Harald were led deeper into the elves' domain. The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, the dappled sunlight barely piercing the dense canopy. The silence of the forest was unnerving. Not even the birds dared to sing.

Harald walked beside her, his hand occasionally brushing hers in a silent gesture of reassurance. But even he could sense the tension in the air, the unspoken anger that simmered beneath the elves' outward calm. Karalyn kept her head high, her expression composed, but inside she was battling a tide of anxiety. She had never been one to shy away from confrontation, but the situation here was more delicate than any battle she had faced. The alliance with the elves was crucial, and she could not afford to let past grievances ruin their chances.

The elves moved with an eerie grace, their footsteps barely making a sound on the forest floor. Karalyn kept her head high, but inside, her thoughts were swirling. She could feel the weight of their judgment pressing down on her with every step, as if the very air around her was thick with resentment. She knew why they were unhappy. Her marriage to Harald had been a blow to their pride, a union that they saw as a betrayal.

Morlok Taldrul, the Prince of Ashelin, would doubtless be particularly vocal in his discontent. He had been rude, dismissive, and arrogant, assuming that his status alone was enough to win her hand. When they had parted ways, his anger had been palpable. Now, as they neared the heart of the elf kingdom, she could almost feel that anger radiating from the very trees around her.

After what felt like hours, they finally emerged into a clearing. At the center stood the palace of the elves, a structure as ancient and majestic as the forest itself. A marvel of nature and magic, the palace's elegant spires entwined with living vines, the stone walls covered in blooming flowers that seemed to glow with an inner light.The regal building seemed to grow out of the ground, the walls adorned with delicate blossoms that glowed faintly in the dim light. It was a breathtaking sight, but Karalyn could not fully appreciate its beauty with the weight of the elves' cold reception hanging over her.

They were led through grand halls lined with tapestries depicting the rich history of the elves, scenes of battles won and alliances forged. The air inside the palace was cool, almost cold, and the silence was oppressive. Finally, they were brought before the throne room, whereKing KerokandQueen Lassaawaited them.

Karalyn's heart tightened as she saw them. King Kerok, tall and imposing, sat with a stern expression, his piercing gaze locked on her. Queen Lassa, though more reserved in her demeanor, did nothing to hide the disapproval in her eyes. They were regal and commanding, embodying the pride and power of their people.

But it wasMorlok Taldrulwho truly unsettled her. He stood to the side of his parents, his eyes narrowing as they met hers. The prince was as handsome as she remembered, with his sharp features and golden hair, but his expression was twisted with resentment. There was no warmth in his gaze, only the cold fire of anger and bitterness.

"Princess Karalyn," King Kerok's voice was deep and resonant, echoing through the throne room. "And King Harald. Welcome to Ashelin."

There was no warmth in his words, only the barest politeness.

Karalyn bowed her head slightly, trying to steady her nerves. "Thank you for receiving us, Your Majesty."

Morlok's eyes bore into her, and she could feel the tension thickening in the room. He had once made it clear that he considered her beneath him, a prize to be claimed rather than a partner to be cherished. His arrogance had been unbearable, but his anger now was even more so.

"You have come far," Morlok said, his voice laced with barely concealed contempt, "though I wonder if the journey was worth it, considering the… circumstances."

Karalyn held her composure, meeting his gaze with calm resolve. "The journey was necessary," she replied evenly, "for the sake of peace."

"Peace," Morlok scoffed, his lip curling. "Is that what you call it? A union between a fairy princess and a sea raider?"

"Morlok," Queen Lassa's voice was soft, but it carried an unmistakable authority. "Enough."

The prince fell silent, though the anger in his eyes did not fade.

Karalyn felt a wave of relief, though it was tempered by the realization that this was only the beginning. Their presence here was not welcome, and any hope of forging an alliance with the elves was already on perilous ground.

King Kerok leaned forward slightly, his gaze still fixed on Karalyn. "We will hear what you have to say," he said, his tone neutral, "but know this: your actions have consequences, and those consequences may not be easily forgiven."

Karalyn nodded. The elves were proud and unforgiving, and their resentment ran deep.

Harald stepped forward, his presence a steadying force beside her. "We seek an alliance, Your Majesty," he began, his voice strong and resolute. "For the good of all our peoples."

The king's expression remained unreadable, but Karalyn could see the calculation in his eyes. This was not just about alliances and politics. It was about pride, power, and the wounds of the past. The road ahead would be long and treacherous, but they had no choice but to walk it.

As the elves considered their words, Karalyn glanced at Morlok once more. His gaze was still fixed on her, burning with a mix of anger and something else—something darker, more dangerous. Whatever trials they faced in Ashelin, she knew Morlok would be at the heart of them.

Kerok's eyes, as cold as winter's frost, flicked to Harald and then back to Karalyn. "We are aware of the dangers that threaten our world, but Ashelin has not forgotten your choice, Karalyn."

Karalyn felt the weight of those words settle on her like ropes bound tightly across her wings and torso. "All I have ever chosen is peace."

Morlok's voice cut through the air, sharp and bitter. "You chose a sea raider. A sea raider! He has no magic of his own! Only through that staff. Take that away, and he has nothing. He is nothing."

Karalyn met his gaze, refusing to flinch under the intensity of his stare. "I would not have been the wife you wanted, Morlok, nor the queen you sought. You know that."

Morlok's jaw tightened, his eyes blazing with a mixture of hurt and anger. "You could have been more than just a wife, Karalyn. You could have been a queen here, in Ashelin, with power unmatched. Instead, you chose him," he spat the word, gesturing to Harald with disdain.

Harald remained silent, his expression stoic, but tension radiated from him. She placed a gentle hand on his arm, a silent plea for patience.

"Morlok, enough," Queen Lassa said, reprimanding her son a second time, her voice soft but carrying an edge. "This is not the time for old grievances."

Morlok turned his gaze away, his lips curling in disdain, but he said no more. Karalyn took a deep breath, grateful for the queen's intervention, though she knew the anger in Morlok's heart would not be easily quelled.

King Kerok's eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded them both. "There is more than merely the rift between the elves and the fairies. There is the matter of… your curse."

Karalyn stiffened. "I will never?—"

"Curses," Morlok spat out.

The king nodded. "You and your… husband have much to prove. You are said to remove all magic from the world, Karalyn."

"I give you my word?—"

"What good is your word?" the prince asked. "Are you going to remove magic from the world so that you can be more like him?"

Karalyn resisted the urge to lash out with a vine. She wasn't a violent person, but the image of a vine wrapping around the prince's throat…

She cleared her throat. "We will not allow any curse at all to affect our world. We also know that our past choices have consequences, but we ask for a chance to earn your trust."

For a long moment, King Kerok was silent, his gaze piercing. Finally, he nodded once, though the gesture was far from warm. "You will have your chance, Karalyn, but one misstep, and you will find no sanctuary here."

With that, the king waved his hand. Elves appeared as if materialized out of the air with chairs for Karalyn and Harald. The king and queen nodded. After a moment, Morlok nodded too, his eyes burning into Karalyn's, his anger unmistakable.

What will the elves ask of them to earn their trust? Will it be something they were willing to do?

And if not, what then?