Chapter 10

Elanor

Fiddle music and chatter fill the busy tavern as waiters navigate the crowd, unbothered by the warm, stuffy air. A white-haired Fae expertly balances platters filled with drinks of all sorts, and as he nears I recognize Ayas’ handsome face.

A blush rises to my cheeks as I remember our last conversation and his advances.

He flashes his brightest smile in my direction, seconds before a drunk patron almost bumps into him and he disappears behind the bar.

Ayas’ familiar face does little to calm my nerves, but I follow Vesta to an empty table anyway. She plops down on a chair and orders a round of drinks with a wave.

I scan the crowd around us until Ayas appears with a pitcher and several glasses.

“Here you go. Let me know if you need anything else.” His stormy blue eyes scan my face as he cocks a brow teasingly. “Great to see you, Ela.”

“Don’t get your hopes up, she’s taken,” Vesta interjects with a wink.

I smile awkwardly, grabbing a glass. “Thanks, Ayas.”

The second he’s gone, I squint at Vesta, who laughs off my stare and pours us two drinks.

“Cheers, L. To you.”

“To us,” I answer before clinking my glass with hers.

I press the chilled glass to my lips, allowing the crisp liquid to spill over my tongue, though Vesta merely rocks the tumbler in her palm, watching the amber liquid twirl. Her eyes dart around the room, searching the patrons.

“Looking for someone?” I ask as I put my cup down.

Vesta’s gazes narrows with an unspoken threat, but the hint of a smile a moment later renders her stare harmless.

“No.”

“Hm. Looks like I missed more than the twins’ usual devilries.”

Blowing air out of her nose in response, she shrugs off my comment.

“You didn’t miss much, it’s just… I don’t know.”

“Yeah?”

“Adria made me… question certain choices I’ve made.”

“Any of these choices have to do with a tall and handsome General?”

She brings her glass to her mouth to hide the grin forming on her lips, just in time for the twins to barge into the bar and crash on the chairs next to us.

I raise an eyebrow at Vesta, but she shakes her head softly and I let it go. She’s on her own path with Calen. Hopefully, her fears don’t get the best of her.

“What are you drinking, ladies?” Wyn asks, extending a hand towards the pitcher on the table and almost knocking it over.

“Slow down, soldier,” Varan swoops in. “You’re on a roll tonight.”

“Were you bar hopping?” Vesta narrows her eyes at the pair. “Without me?”

Her mouth drops open as her hand flies to her chest dramatically.

I crack a smile and shake off the last bit of tension in my shoulders as the twins burst out laughing.

“Looks like it’s a party tonight. And no one invited me?” A wide-shouldered Fae joins the group, one of his hands resting on the back of Vesta’s chair.

“Rick,” Vesta says in greeting. “Join us. The more the merrier.”

The brown-haired Fae grabs a stool and plops himself between us, shining his brightest smile at the redheaded Captain of the High Guard. I only met him briefly before, but looks like he’s as obsessed with Vesta as ever. A smile tugs my lips as I observe him flaunting his best attributes.

After another round of drinks, Vesta is fully leaning into Rick’s arm, which is still positioned on her chair, laughing at his comments, and I’m not having the worst time either. Until Wyn stands, his drink in hand.

He winks at me, an air of mischief on his face.

“Wyn,” I warn, knowing damn well he can’t be stopped.

He clears his throat.

“Hear, hear.”

Dread fills me as I attempt to tug his sleeve from across the table.

“Sit your ass down,” I whisper-shout, but I’m too late.

“Fellow citizens of Averion, join me as I raise my glass to the Unifier, savior of Adria and slayer of Braern.”

Warmth floods my face when the words reach my ears, and I tilt my head down, wishing I could disappear and magically travel back to my room.

The scenes in Adria flood my mind, and it’s like I’m there again, surrounded by wounded soldiers, rage and shock filling their eyes, their hate and disappointment radiating from their bloodied bodies. Everywhere I turn, I’m met with distrust and shame, and each step adds more weight on my shoulders, more grief.

I pinch my eyes closed, readying myself for the wave of hate, the insults and drinks thrown at me.

The floor trembles as dozens of cheers resound around us and patrons shout in celebration.

My mouth drops open at the Fae surrounding us, smiling proudly and raising their cups. Admiration has replaced the fear and blame I last saw in their eyes.

My gaze widens as Wyn gestures for the crowd to cheer louder with a wide grin stuck on his face. Heat rushes to my cheeks as I try to make myself smaller on my chair, waiting for them to move on to something more interesting.

I nod a few times in the hope it will tame their enthusiasm, but fail miserably. The group takes it as encouragement and their shouts grow louder, sending a rush of warmth up my ears.

Vesta looks at me with pride filling her eyes. I attempt a smile, but it doesn’t ring true. Not with Azran away, unable to see this. He was the only one who never looked at me the way they all did, like a monster, like the Fae responsible for the massacre in Adria. If he were here, he would understand that this kind of hurt simply cannot be erased.

It’s been a month since anyone has heard from him and I’m slowly losing my mind. Cooped up here with nothing to do but toy with crazy scenarios, I’m a prey to the entire range of emotions known to the Fae. My head is fighting my heart, and I will lose either way.

As each hour passes, the suffering intensifies, and I’m left battling against this roaring feeling churning in my soul. Something is wrong, I can feel it. Everything is telling me to go to him.

My mood soured, I use the distraction of another round of drinks to sneak past Vesta’s gaze and make for the door.

I’m almost out of the smelly tavern when someone pulls me by the forearm.

“Ela.”

Varan lets go when I pull my arm back. He glances around, the tattooed vine on his neck twisting with his movements.

“I wanted to apologize for what I said to you in Adria.” Finally meeting my gaze, he stills completely. “I’m sorry I held you responsible for something you couldn’t have stopped. No one could have.”

I release a heavy sigh as his words ease the burden I’ve carried since Adria.

“I would have done the same thing, Varan.”

If Wyn hadn’t made it, I would never have forgiven myself, so why should he?

“No. Seeing Wyn like that, I… I needed someone to blame. It was misplaced and unfair.”

I reach for his hands, pressing them tightly.

“All is forgiven. I’m just glad you’re both alright.”

“Thank you, Ela.” He gives me a small smile. “You’ve done so much for our people. I won’t forget it again.”

Retracing my steps, I walk beneath the arch marking the palace’s entrance, but I don’t head back to my room just yet. Laying in bed alone to stare at the ceiling for hours will do nothing to settle my nerves. Instead, my steps guide me to the balcony beyond the throne room.

I step into the night and stare at the city sleeping down below. Lanterns light the main arteries of Averion as the last inhabitants make their way back to their homes, blissfully unaware of the storm raging inside me.

My hands rest on the cold metal railing made of the four elements of the Fae, symbolizing Azran’s dream. Water, Moon, Wood, and Sun united under one banner. A realm where all Fae live in harmony with humans. A stabbing pain goes through the bond, carrying the alarming feeling I’ve been trying to fight off all day.

For the first time today, I give into the fear.

My heart is beating out of my chest as I imagine the worst. Azran on the brink of death, and me, too far to bring him back this time. I grip the railing harder, until my knuckles whiten, but the cold bite of the metal doesn’t help. Instead, my power awakens, calling me, inviting me to numb the fear, the angst, and the dread.

I would answer its call were it not for the steps echoing behind me.

“You’re up late, General,” I say, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“So are you.” Cal stops in front of the railing on my left.

“Vesta and I went to a tavern for a few drinks.” A sad smile tugs my lips. “The twins and Rick showed up. That Fae was all over Vesta, it was hilarious.”

My attempt to lighten the mood fails completely. Cal clenches his jaw and remains silent, and the pit in my stomach opens once more.

“It was just an illusion, though, because nothing is right, and nothing feels normal. Not without Azran.”

“I already told you, Ela. You can’t go.” He turns towards me, and even the darkness of the night can’t hide the worry on his face. “We have to trust him.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose.

“The prophecy has been fulfilled, Cal. Braern is gone, I’ve played my part.”

“It’s too dangerous.”

My mouth opens and closes. I can’t tell him. I can’t tell him he’s not talking to the Fae who believed she was human for twenty-two years, but to a child of Death, nor that the Fae he’s known for centuries, his best friend and chosen brother, is much more than a Fae.

“He’s my mate. I can’t stay here and do nothing.” The bond flares as the words leave my mouth, and I put my hand on my chest instinctively. “It’s killing me, not knowing where he is.”

“You’re not ready.”

“Try me.” My resolve strengthened, I step aside and call upon my shadows, letting him witness but a fraction of what I can do. “Fight me and find out.”

The hint of a smile tugs his lips, but he doesn’t react so I change strategy.

“What would you do if it was Vesta over there? Alone?” Arching my brows, I continue. “What if you could feel the constant ache from the distance between you pulsing in your chest night and day?”

His features twist in a mask of pain as he sighs, but I don’t relent.

“What if your mate—”

“Fine,” he lets out. I bite my bottom lip to repress the victorious scream threatening to tear from my throat. “Get ready.”

“Thank you,” I breathe out, relief flooding my veins.

“I’ll have an official letter introducing you as an emissary of Lóna ready by morning.”

I nod, barely containing my excitement at the prospect of going after Azran.

“It will offer you passage and hopefully a safe place to look for Az,” Cal adds.

I press my palms together, interlacing my fingers and squeezing tight.

“Thank you, Cal. I’ll be safe, I promise.”

He rolls his eyes at me, clearly not convinced. “You better be.”

Turning on my heels, I’m already thinking about my preparations when Calen’s voice rings through the cold night air.

“And, Ela?”

“Yes?”

“You’re not going alone.”