37. Eldrin

Chapter thirty-seven

Eldrin

A nother day at court. Amber had now been gone for over a month, and ruling was mostly an unending stream of supplicants and mundane business. This was good—it gave me a chance to arrange for more celebrations, tasks that were a luxury. After everything, we deserved to celebrate. Our people were in exile, but that didn’t mean we had to forget who we were. We were going to live our lives in the Darkening Woods, treasuring its constant season, and forging a place for ourselves in this new world. We were going to live, thrive, and search for a .

Vanir managed his reign with fear and control, while I was going to guide and nurture. Vanir was gone forever, and now it was my opportunity to shape my court as I saw fit.

I had finished holding court for the day and ordered the music to start and wine to be served. This was going to be an informal party, ones like my father used to host with whatever courtiers happened to be in the palace that day. We still had poets and musicians in the city, and they would be encouraged to perform once more. I would do whatever I could to establish new societies of artists, ones that rivaled what we left behind.

Orders for festivities done, I walked amongst my people. Artists from the city were gathered, sitting in a corner, heads bowed in deep debate. Young women strolled around the room, their clothing crafted from nature, delighting in this chance to be at court. The aura was relaxed, a serenity I had not felt at court since Father’s reign.

“Are you pleased?” I asked Siliana, who stood by a window watching the revelry. She was wearing a dark purple gown edged with black feathers, and tiny bird skulls lined the gown’s neck.

She gave me a small smile, sadness still in her gaze. A sadness I didn’t think would ever leave. “I think so. But I worry for you.”

“Don’t. I’m not the spoiled prince I was before. I will be fine.” Someday I would be. Someday I would heal.

Someday.

“You can have everything in the world,” Siliana said, “but it means nothing if you don’t have the one you love.”

I placed a hand on Siliana’s shoulder. She had left her spouse behind, and it was very likely they would never meet again in this life. “Anything you need, tell me,” I said softly. “I know that is no true comfort, but I swear, I will do whatever I can.”

“You have done everything that can be expected, my king,” she said, giving me a little grin that I returned. “I know that I left her safe and alive—and that is enough.”

Siliana was wise—I also knew that Amber was safe and alive. It was the only thing that kept me from falling into despair.

“Your Majesty,” one of my guards suddenly called out. “You asked to have this guest brought to you immediately.”

My heart leapt into my mouth. There were only two people for whom my guards had that order. Ivas, and—

Amber walked through the hall, a light sheen on her skin. She carried a large backpack on her shoulders and was wearing blue pants made of a rough fabric, as well as a black sleeveless shirt. Courtiers muttered, parting around her, their attention alternating between her and me. Everyone knew who she was. She eyed the other courtiers, her expression hesitant, and then when she discovered me, she stilled.

“Hello,” she said with a slight grin.

“Hello,” I replied. Was she real? Was I imagining her? My heart danced and I was scared to breathe or blink, lest she disappear.

Had I lost my mind? Was this a dream?

“I think Your Majesty would like time to rest, would you not?” Siliana suggested, waving her hands to give the orders before I could utter a word. Guards moved and courtiers scattered, but I paid them scant mind as Amber took cautious steps towards me.

Rest.

“Yes…yes. Rest,” I said absentmindedly, not daring to look away from Amber. It would be a long time before I did so.