11. Eldrin

Chapter eleven

Eldrin

H e was lucky.

Vanir was so lucky I didn’t want to risk Amber’s safety. She did nothing to get involved in our petty politics, and she didn’t deserve to pay the price of Vanir’s resentment. I gritted my teeth, watching Vanir leer at her, even as she walked through the court, meeting and speaking with one courtier after another. She was seemingly oblivious to how the monarch was still focused on her. I had been ready to start a rebellion then and there just from how he looked at her, like a possession that he wanted to tear her apart and consume. A thing. And in the face of his musing, she had stood regally before him—human, helpless, and perfect.

I couldn’t react again, not in a way that would insult Vanir. I couldn’t do anything other than follow her through the court, doing what I could to protect her from the courtiers. Vanir may have had a budding obsession with her, but that didn’t mean he would do anything to shield her from the insults that would inevitably come. I had acted recklessly already, challenging Vanir like that in front of the entire court. Foolish. I didn’t think before speaking. I’d had enough of enduring Vanir’s humiliations, but I could handle them when they just involved me. She changed everything.

I had been entangled with other women before—I was hardly a celibate prince. But they were women of the court and knew how to conduct themselves. By and far they were women who saw a title first, a man second, and I was more than willing to take advantage of the blatant exchange they gave me. Some entanglements lasted longer than others—a couple lasted for a few years—but they were all temporary and understood to be so. I considered myself far too young to wed, and I hadn’t yet met anyone worth the turmoil any choice would stir. Unavoidable for a prince. Of course, my father had his own ideas and plans about my marriage, but they were irrelevant now. Vanir had taken my place, and no one would risk tying themselves to me, unless they wanted to risk themselves.

But Amber…she was outside all of this, in every way. Every smile she gave me was not because of who I was or who I could be. And unlike the women from before, Amber was on her own, without a lifetime of understanding the conflict she found herself in .

Hopefully Vanir thought my prodding of him to be merely a political challenge and nothing more. If Vanir knew my thoughts that were stirring about her, everything I was thinking of, he’d kill her—or worse—just to torment me. He’d likely sacrifice the barrier and let her die just to hurt me. I already suspected that he had engineered the deaths of two of my former lovers out of spite, women whose families weren’t important enough to cause him trouble—why should I except him to treat Amber any better?

While we made our way through the gathering, with its light music singing on the air, my hands stayed near where my daggers were hidden in my doublet, ready for anything to happen. Anything could happen—tonight wouldn’t be the first time someone was stabbed at a royal gathering. I would not put it past Vanir to have me protect her, just to cut her down in front of me. I should know—he already did that to my horse.

But for now, she had different foes to contend with.

“How old are you?” Lady Marciel asked Amber, peering down her nose. I stayed back, as I had done much of the evening, stepping in only when absolutely necessary. I didn’t need anyone reporting that I was shielding Amber in a way that may hint at something more. Since I had seen Amber navigate an identical encounter only an hour earlier, I knew this one wouldn’t give her any difficulty.

“I am twenty-four,” Amber said .

“So little,” Lady Marciel said. “You’re a child. And a human. And for you to have the burdens of rule placed on you so soon…” Lady Marciel had two unwed daughters and a blatant desire to see one of them wearing a crown—much like every mother here tonight.

Amber’s mouth dropped open and she covered it with her slender hand. “You actually said that ?” she asked, in a tone I’ve since learned not to take seriously. Instead, I watched with as much impassiveness as I could muster, biting back budding laughter.

“Yes?” Lady Marciel said.

“You think the king is a fool!” Amber hissed softly. “How could you think such a thing of His Majesty?” Amber spoke quietly enough for mortals, but the sound carried.

“I didn’t—”

“Yes, you did,” Amber said. She then shook her head regretfully. “Oh, the king is going to be so upset when I tell him—”

“There’s nothing to—”

“You’re second-guessing his decisions. Mortal kings severed heads for such slights—and I’d expect nothing less of an elven.” Amber chose that moment to point at some skulls on the walls to prove her point. Lady Marciel left us, scurrying away with an impressive speed. A few curious heads watched her flee and stared at us, but no one darted to replace Lady Marciel .

“How long do we have to stay here?” Amber asked me in a low voice after Lady Marciel was gone, the woman scandalized in a way I’d never forget. Amber held a goblet of red wine in her left hand, but she didn’t touch it. She touched nothing. Ate nothing. Another sign that she was wiser than many likely suspected. The food was probably safe to eat, but clear wits were always necessary.

I took a few steps towards her, and immediately fought with myself to look away. The leaves and flowers of her dress graced her neck and chest, accenting her beautiful curves. I longed to trace the delicate skin underneath her garment, to push the boughs aside and explore as far as she would let me.

I cursed to myself. Such thoughts would get me nowhere.

“We can leave whenever you want,” I said. “As much as I’ve been enjoying this.”

“Really?” she asked hopefully.

“Yes. You have met the king and most of the court. There is no reason to stay.”

“Yes, please. I want to go.” She found an empty space on a wooden table, set down the goblet, and turned to me, relief evident. “ You may find this funny, but I’m tired. And running out of ideas. I can’t keep using the same lines on everyone—they’ll be comparing notes soon.”

“I understand.” I gave her a small smile, one that would hopefully be written off as polite .

I was just about to offer her my arm to escort her from the room when I noticed the crowd shift, and one of the last people I wanted to see strode towards us.

The newcomer was a tall elf, taller than me, with night-black hair that went to his shoulders and unnaturally pale skin. A long-healed cut graced his lip, framed by a pointed nose. Long draping black robes hung from his frame, like a wraith haunting this hall. Gold embroidery, no doubt a gift from my brother, lurked at the garment’s edges. He wore the gilt embellishment as if he were a beautiful fruit, whose insides were full of corruption and rot. This was my brother’s best friend. And a bastard. Figuratively and literally.

“Eldrin,” Ivas said, ignoring my title once he reached us, his lips curled in a smirk.

“Lord Ivas,” I said, refusing to so much as nod, but leaving his slight to me unacknowledged. I wasn’t going to start a fight tonight over a petty courtesy. Not when it could risk her. Not after I had been so foolish once already. I had been careful—so careful—but who knew what story would reach Vanir?

“And this is…Ember?”

“Amber,” she said, straightening her back. “Are you another prince?”

“No.” Did Amber intend this, or did she not realize that she forced Ivas to admit that he wasn’t royal? Ivas may have had the king’s favor, but he didn’t have the blood. His rank was owed entirely to Vanir’s whims. “I am Lord Ivas, advisor to His Majesty.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

Ivas let his gaze drag over her, lingering on places that no polite person would stare at. Was he jealous of her? Possibly. As queen she would, by default, be competition for Vanir’s attention. Did Ivas desire her? Absolutely. He would never forego an opportunity to indulge in a novelty. “I have been meaning to say,” Ivas said, “it is kind of you to give so much of yourself for a people you haven’t met. Marry someone you don’t know. Very admirable.”

“I know that without Eldrin I would have died,” Amber said, stealing a glance my way. “And without the aid of the elves, I would have died. I am happy to do what I can to repay that debt.”

Ivas’s lips curled once more. “As I’m sure you will. But surely, we are asking a lot of one such as you.”

“It is the least I can do after the generosity shown to me by His Majesty.”

“As I said,” Ivas said with a predatory smile, one that made the hand by my dagger twitch, “what you are doing is very admirable. You are to be commended. Admired.” His eyes made no secret of how they were raking up her body, inspecting every curve.

“Thank you, my lord.” Amber swallowed hard.

“Should you find yourself in need of company, I am more than happy to oblige. ”

“Thank you. As queen, it will be best to be acquainted with important courtiers such as yourself.” She lingered a little too long on the word ‘queen,’ subtly reminding Ivas of her role, that she wasn’t just any mere captive to be played with.

“Be safe, Amber” –Ivas raised an eyebrow and suddenly turned to walk away– “these woods have many dangers.”

I exhaled. Thank fuck that was over. That could have gone so much worse.

At least she knew how to handle Ivas—to address him boldly, to flatter the correct parties, and refuse to fall for his traps. I couldn’t help the tinge of pride that worked through me, watching her manage the various courtiers. She was clever. She knew how to hold her tongue and when to use it, as I had seen many times this night. Maybe she did have a chance of surviving this court. I would’ve been more than satisfied if my partner was able to help me with the politics of governing as Amber had hinted she was capable of doing. Unfortunately, Vanir would not appreciate it. He only appreciated when people paid him compliments.

“Now can we go?” she whispered to me once he was gone.

“Gladly.”

We stole through a side door, taking the long way back to her rooms. Yes, I was selfish in taking this longer route, but I wanted her to see as much of her new home as possible. Maybe she would come to love it.

And yes, maybe I wanted to spend a little more time with her, too .

“What was wrong with him ?” Amber asked once we were outside, the courtiers’ chatter now a faint hum. “It’s not often I meet someone so…pissy. And there were a lot of irritated people tonight.”

I bit back a laugh. How was she so good at getting them out of me? I hadn’t wanted to laugh like this since before Father died—I’ve had little reason to do so since. If Oristan was to be believed, I was known for being light-hearted and jovial. Was.

“That is a good way to describe him,” I said, first checking to make sure no one was near. “He is…greedy. He doesn’t like the thought of anything—or anyone—stealing the king’s attention away from him.”

“He’s worried the king will focus on me?” Amber squirmed as she spoke, which made me almost smile. She seemed to like the idea of Vanir touching her almost as much as I did. “The king barely spoke to me. He doesn’t know I left the party.”

“He does. Even if he isn’t in a room, assume he is watching. He likely had people spying on you all night. And he was watching you himself for most of it.”

Amber paled. “All night?”

“Yes. Don’t worry,” I said, “you insulted no one Vanir favors. I would have stepped in were it otherwise. And with the ones he does, you were assertive but not offensive. Which is a necessary skill for a ruler.”

“Oh. Good. I…may have gone too far with some of them. ”

“No. They deserved it. And it is better that you taught them now that you’re not one to be cajoled. They scent weakness like a bear can scent blood. If you hadn’t, the next event would have been worse.”

“Good. I think.”

Maybe my words didn’t have the comforting effect I intended. I had tried to assure her that she was capable of the role thrust upon her, when it was a role she had no interest in. But there was nothing we could do about that situation. Amber had to learn, if she hadn’t already, that this court was as dangerous to navigate as the Darkening Woods itself.