Chapter Seven

CHAPTER

SEVEN

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F INNIAN LEFT A FEW HOURS AGO TO SPEND THE DAY WITH our blacksmith, Blade. It's not his true name but he's a man dedicated to his trade. Finnian was fifteen when he fell in love with the forge, around the same time I developed an interest in healing, and is an artist with steel. My twin dragon daggers were made by him, as was the only crown I own. It resembles a circlet of intertwined tree branches.

I look around at my dying garden and feel a pang of sadness knowing I won't be here for the next bloom. I'm sure Vareveth has gardens, much more extravagant than mine, but nothing that will bring me the same sense of peace. I initially took up gardening because I had to. I used any seeds I could get my hands on: berries, vegetables, and herbs. Sometimes I would even uproot plants and bring them back here.

Now I garden because I enjoy it. I still need the food I harvest, but I also grow flowers and other unsavory plants in the corner of the garden . . . hemlock, bloodroot, nightshade, and snakeroot, to name a few. I think it's ironic that poisonous plants often grow the prettiest flowers. Consistently underestimated by onlookers until they feel the deadly sting.

My head is tilted back on the cushioned chair when I hear footsteps approaching, not Finnian's. They wouldn't be as tentative. "Ailliard." I greet him without opening my eyes.

My anger is still ripe, but I've tucked it into a neat little box and can open it as I please. He speeds up slightly and claims the chair beside mine. Only members of the king's guard beat me, and Ailliard was a queen's guard. I don't remember seeing him in the throne room during interrogations, and we never bring up the past. Talking can't change what's been done. I'm sure he knew the extent of the torture, but I've never had the courage to ask.

"I—" He cuts himself off. I tilt my head forward and glance at him; a crease forms between his brows, and his lips press into a thin line. "I regret the way yesterday went."

I don't know what you're talking about. I think it went wonderfully dies on my tongue. I have two forms of defense other than fighting—sarcasm and humor.

"My fear overtook me, Elowen." He drums his fingers against the chair. "If it's all right with you, I would like to try again. To discuss it without lashing out."

"All right." This isn't a battle that needs to be prolonged.

He blows out a low breath. "Is the Commander of Vareveth blackmailing you in any way? Because if he is—"

"He's not," I interject. White-hot anger presses against the box before I rein it in. Ailliard forming an opinion of Cayden before they meet vexes me. Cayden vexes me as well, but we're allies.

"If any of you touch her, you die . . . and I promise to make it painful."

The finality and protectiveness in his tone cause goosebumps to rise on my arms. No, it must be the wind causing that. Cayden acted as an ally. Allies defend each other. It's like giving your neighbor some extra sugar. I shift in my seat, physically forcing his voice out of my mind.

"I just want to ensure you know what you're getting yourself into by leaving Aestilian. Your father will use all his power to get to you, and I highly doubt the words safety and Veles are synonymous."

"I've spent years learning how to defend myself, and I'll have an army at my back. I used to have only a few floors to protect me from Garrick, and that didn't play in my favor," I state coldly. "I may not have all the answers, but I won't sit by and continue to do nothing."

"Elowen." Ailliard blanches. "You think this is nothing?" He spreads his hands wide, gesturing to the town beyond my house. "You've given people a home."

"It's not only me."

"No, but you're the crown."

I wave my hands through the air, brushing past this subject. "I won't wait for a move to be made on me, which it will, and lose my chance at an advantage. That's what Commander Veles offers me."

"How are you so sure a move will be made on us?" he asks without judgment, just curiosity.

"Power-hungry rulers don't just give up, they focus on the largest threat, and Garrick's largest threat is Vareveth. But if Vareveth loses the war and Imirath invades—who's to say his focus won't shift to me?"

"If Garrick invades Vareveth, he'll have many things to worry about."

I shake my head. "A ruler who doesn't think of every possibility won't have a crown for very long. Also, why should I wait for him to make a move when an opportunity has fallen into my lap?"

"We have the mist to hide us," Ailliard offers.

"You can't guarantee that the mist won't clear one day, and if we figured out how to navigate the mountains, so can someone else."

"You never were the patient type." I've been patient enough. "It's not that I don't support you, I simply want the best for you."

Only I can define what's best for me.

Right now, that's Vareveth.

"I'm tired of being a bystander in my own life," I admit as the tension eases between us. "Just because I outgrow something doesn't mean I love it any less. I love Aestilian, which is why I want to protect it. But I can't stay here forever, imagining what taking a chance on myself would have been like."

"I think I always knew this day would come, even if I didn't want to admit it to myself. You've always had this fire in you." Ailliard nods his head while stroking his beard. "It's why I taught you all the dances and protocol of court. There was always a just in case at the back of my mind."

"I do appreciate you teaching me all of those things." I offer him a small smile, and his shoulders loosen at the sight of it. It's normal for us to butt heads. He has a short fuse, and I light it on occasion.

"I never thought I would be going out into the world again." Ailliard participates in hunts and raids on occasion, but less so as the kingdom has grown.

"You don't have to come," I offer. "Finnian already said he'll accompany me, and Commander Veles is handpicking guards."

"I'm coming."

"What if you just ride to meet the battalion at the temple of the God of Earth?" Guilt from watching Ailliard visibly battle with his nerves makes me want to reach out to him, but I don't feel comfortable enough to do that.

"No," he states more definitively. "I brought you out of Imirath, and I'll be with you when you ride into Vareveth. I've watched you become the queen you are, and I'm not missing a moment more. Besides, you'll need more than Finnian to deal with the Vareveth advisors in the treaty negotiations. I've seen enough treaties to recognize hidden clauses."

I hadn't realized just how tight my shoulders were until they loosen. Ailliard has practically committed our ledgers to memory. I'll have to focus on the heist, which means spending more time with Cayden and less with King Eagor. It's good that Finnian won't be alone if I can't attend a meeting with him. He can handle himself, but I'd prefer him to have backup. This is new territory for Finnian and me, but Ailliard knows what it's like to be in a castle and deal with court politics.

"I won't lie; I'm relieved you're coming," I confess.

The wrinkles around his eyes deepen as he smiles. "You'll be even more relieved to know I acquired some fabric this morning and handed it off to the tailor."

"Really?" I shoot up from the chair, causing Ailliard to chuckle. I adore the way gowns flow and make me feel a different kind of power. Putting on a new, perfectly fitting dress feels like a breath of fresh air or the beginning of a new season.

"I only gave her enough fabric for one, but I've set aside some money for you and Finnian to shop when we get to Vareveth."

"What about you?" I inquire, my excitement halting for a moment. He waves his hand through the air while getting to his feet.

"You deserve to indulge, my dear." He outstretches his arms, and I walk into them. There are some moments where I would find more comfort in kind parting words than someone wrapping their arms around me.

"Thank you again." I've never had a royal wardrobe. I envision the gems, embroidery, and vibrant shades of fabric it entails.

"She still has your measurements, but stop by her shop tomorrow morning to make sure everything is to your liking," he says while walking toward the road. "I'm going to grab a pint to cope with time passing too quickly."