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If the Human Queen isn’t found among the women of Capton, war will befall us. War would lead to all of humanity’s destruction under the might of the elves’ wild magic. Finding her would fulfill the treaty and secure the safety of humanity for another century. But if you are her, you might as well be dead. It’s the lack of queen that has the whole town on edge, myself included.
Okay seems important
The Keepers of the Fade look after the temple and forest at the edge of town, at the foot of the great mountain. They’re the ones who traditionally deal with the elves, and keep anyone in Capton from accidently crossing over the Fade—the barrier that splits our world from the land of the elves and wild magic.
I likely wanted to kiss him before I really even understood what kissing was—back when we were small children playing games in the woods at the start of our lifelong friendship. But realizing you have a want to kiss someone makes everything agonizing. If
“What has gotten into you? We can’t just leave. I have obligations here—and so do you, for that matter. Who will mend bones, stop fevers, and ensure the Weakness is kept at bay if I leave?”
SOOO shes a doc
We are dying like any regular human on the mainland.”
Slithering out from the side of the temple is an unassuming pathway of arches. I’ve never walked that path. I’m forbidden to, even with a Keeper escort. That is for the Human Queen and the elves. Luke tells me it stretches all the way into the darkest part of the forest at the foot of the mountain.
Omg.. Hes leading her somewhere THAT ONLY THE HUMAN QUEEN CAN GO
Fade—the split between the human world and the magic wilds.
“I will have my queen, here and now. We can afford no more delays,” the king continues. He turns to face the citizenry of Capton. “I know you have hidden her, tampering with forces you do not understand.” “Your Majesty.” The words sound awkward from my father’s mouth. I wish he would stay silent. The last thing I want are those emotionless, elven eyes turning to him. “Perhaps there is no queen this year?” “She
I KNEW IT...
SO HER PARENTS AND PEOPLE ARE HIDING HER?! MAYBE LUKE TOO
Ruth blubbers incoherently, staring up at the towering man. I turn my gaze skyward, meeting the eyes of the Elf King, who looms over me. “Continue.” His voice is the whisper of silk. “I…”
Chat..
he knows
They rise upward, curving unnaturally and weaving into a prison cell around where Luke stands. I stare in awe and horror at wild magic. The Elf King looks back to me. “Well? Heal her,” he commands, impatient.
“This isn’t love!” I allow my voice to echo to the mountaintops. The trees shudder at my rage. Their roots quake the foundation of the earth deep below my feet. The wind howls and storms close in on the horizon. “Love is choice,” I continue before he can get another word out. “You—you wanted to own me. You wanted to keep me for yourself regardless of how I may have felt. You never even allowed me to make the decision on my own and now our town, our people, have suffered because of your selfishness. I shudder to think what might have happened to our whole world if you had gotten your way.”
I might have always been destined to go. But he took a proper goodbye from me. I hope he rots in a cell forever for all he’s done.
I hastily turn back to my parents. “Both of you, stay safe, all right? I’ll try and send letters. I love you both so very much.” “Don’t go.” Mother grabs my hand.
NOOOOO
“He was.” Without another word on the matter, we continue forward. Though I would’ve given anything to stop and probe the depths of the emotions he was trying to hide. What was Alice to him? And what was her place in this world really like?
Hmmm
“What would I call you if I was your friend?” My question gives him pause; his face relaxes into something I’d almost say is vulnerable. “I don’t have friends,” he says faintly. Others may interpret the tone as cool indifference. But I hear a hurt I don’t yet understand drifting through his words. “Your subjects then?” He grimaces at that, but finally relents. “King Eldas. I will see you in an hour. We will begin then.”
As far as the eye can see is brown and gray. The forests are as barren as the fields. The trees are just as withered as those I saw in the city. I lay eyes on a cold and cruel world.
MAYBEEE
her magic will make the world brighter?? Nature wise
“Queens should float, not walk like a horse.” So he’s allowed to make remarks but I’m not? I tilt my head to the side, pressing my lips shut in a firm line. He smirks, understanding my silent game. “Good, I’ll take the horse. At least they’re silent.”
HHAHAA BYE
Two strong arms are around me. They tighten as I shudder violently. I’m against something stable—more solid than the land itself.
Heyy... Is that Eldas
Wildflowers bloom in patches along now-green fields. I see new growth in the forests beyond. Some trees already have springtime buds on their boughs. I can make out farmers beginning to till soil. Even the sky has changed from winter to spring overnight.
I KNEW ITTTT YAY
“The Human Queen.” “You got it!” He leans over and flicks my nose. Then pulls back, startled. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty, I shouldn’t have—” I burst out laughing and rub my nose lightly. “It’s fine.” “You’re my queen, I really shouldn’t—” “Willow, it’s fine,” I repeat, firmer. “It’s nice to have someone treat me kindly, like a friend.”
Awwww
“So, you’re the Human Queen. We’ve been waiting all this time for…you?” Harrow assesses me the second we’re alone. Even though Willow’s potion is beginning to kick in, I don’t even bother trying to shift straighter. It’s impossible to be intimidating while lying in a bed.
Can Eldas kick his brothers ass
“No, I’m not. Eldas does as well. And his crown is far more impressive than yours.”
Love her
“How dare you,” I repeat back, seething. “Get out and never bother me again.”
YESSSS
His eyes darken in a way that I’d dare say is…protective? Surely, it must be my imagination. “What did he do?”
“I permit you, however, to call me Luella.” “I will call you however it pleases me to do.” “Fine. Shall we focus on the matter at hand, Your Majesty?” Every time I say those two words I draw them out just a little more. Eldas clearly picks up on the slightly snide tone. His eyes narrow, but he doesn’t address it. A small victory for me, I think. If he wants to be difficult then that’s what he’s getting thrown back at him.
“You will respect me!” Eldas shouts. “Be someone worthy of respecting first!” I slam the door behind me.
No, it can’t be. He was cruel and he knew it. Those facts trump everything else. Yet, the longer I stare at him, the cloudier my own feelings become. Your heart is too soft, Luella, I scold myself. “I wonder if…” Eldas murmurs. “If what?” Rinni presses. “If she’s all right,” Eldas finishes. I was right, there is worry in his eyes. “I should check—”
But…what if he’s as much of a prisoner to this terrible system as I am? The thought betrays me, sparking sympathy that I don’t want to harbor for this man.
“Tell me what I should do? Spring is here, yet winter’s gusts blow from the Veil. If she doesn’t learn to manage her power, I fear the worst. I fear I will fail her. I fear she will only know this place as I have—as suffering. And through it all the coronation grows near. I would like her to find her place before then.” I push onto my toes, leaning against the wall for a better view. I wish I could see his expression. I want to know if the worry and sincerity I hear in his voice is genuine.
If I could go back… I’d do a lot more good in Capton. Spring is here in Midscape, the folk will be fine, and I’m sure Eldas can make himself look tough without me.
Bad idea. I can smell it
“Sure.” I force a smile and refrain from saying that I won’t be here tomorrow if everything goes right tonight.
Ugh...
girl i can smell that thiswnt end wel from a mile away
“You’re not bringing that beast into the throne room.” “You want to try and tell him he can’t come?” Hook tilts his head at Rinni. His eyes say, “pet me.” But his long muzzle full of razor sharp teeth says, “try me.” It’s only been a day, but I think finding Hook was one of the best things I could’ve done. It’s like we were meant to be together all along.
“Feel the magic being drawn in through the air, the power that gathers in your hands. Feel it as your feet root to the earth.” His hand slips around my hip. I let out a gasp as his fingers spread across the flat plane of my stomach. It’s as if with every caress my magic activates, eager to respond to him, as if my power could arc from me to him. “Do you feel it? Gathering within you? A wellspring of life waiting to be unleashed?” “I…” I feel something, all right. “Shh,” he says, a little too gently. “Keep your focus, Luella.” Why does my name sound so much better when he says it in that deep
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EEEEK
“Was that real?” I ask. “That was how your mind is attempting to comprehend your magic.” “Did you see it too?” He seems startled I’d probe for his experience. “I saw…something.” Eldas turns away from me,
HEYYY WHAT DID YOU SEE BABES
“The earth may be the greatest force, but sheltering yourself from it may be the easiest task. Guarding yourself from an attack by a sentient being is much harder.” It sounds like he’s speaking from experience. “Who would do that?” “You are a queen now. Moreover, you are my wife. Both titles bring enemies.”
We start heading back in earnest. Until something catches my eye, stopping me in my tracks. There, in the back of an alley between two buildings, is Aria. She talks with shifting gazes and nervous glances to a lithe creature that has two deer antlers sprouting from the top of his head and dragonfly wings. I see the horned man hand over a small pouch to Aria.
“This is justice. My justice.”
Who tff said my man wasnt protective in this book..
YALL LIEDDDDD
“I wanted to protect you,” he says quietly, finally. I jump at the sudden break in the silence I’ve been smothered in all afternoon. “That was why I told you to stay in the castle.” I can hear his voice wavering, as if he’s fighting with his own temper. But, for the first time since I’ve known him, he fights and wins. “Regardless of why it happened, I am sorry you had to endure that.”
A MAN WHO LEARNS
I want the tender man who came to me last night. Yet I don’t know where or how to find him.
Me too girl
“He accepted my invitation to dinner?” I can’t tell if the flapping in my stomach is the wings of butterflies or hornets. Am I excited or nervous? Both. There’s a whole war of the winged bugs going on in there.
Something about the muscles in his throat contracting is oddly entrancing.
Oh gurl ur done for
He stills and an almost child-like excitement flashes in his eyes. “I’d like that very much.” “I’ll lend it to you; I’m finished with it.” “That’d be very kind of you.” “I want to be kind to you.”
ARE WE FLIRTINGGG!!?!?
His pupils are blown wide. “My whole life has been training to be the king. To serve my people, to protect the Human Queen and the cycle. My father never warned me…” “She would be the one trying to destroy that cycle?” My chest tightens. “She would be the one I needed to protect myself from.”
EEEKK
“Luella?” My name is a question. What is he asking? “Yes.” Whatever it is, yes. His grip on me tightens; he pulls my face upward. My mouth meets his.
YESSSS FUCK YEAH
“How dare you speak to my wife that way!” Eldas’s words reverberate through me. They ward against the ever-rising chill and generate a warm heat that flushes up my arms and settles in my cheeks.
“No one in this castle will harm Hook. If they did, they would have to face my wrath.”
“He sent her to the Natural World.” “What?” I gasp softly. “I thought you knew…” A frown briefly crosses his face. “I’m sorry, I would’ve mentioned it sooner.” “No, it’s fine. What did he send her for?” “He was worried about the city across the Fade not having its healer after you left, or that’s what Grandmother told me. It seems a bit odd, if you ask me. I’ve never heard of a king sending aid to your side.” I pretend to focus on my basket as my insides knot. I remember the conversation we had in the Fade and the fears I confided in him. Here I was going about my days, oblivious to this
...more
AHHHH HE DID FHAT FOR HER
Soundlessly, I slip into the main room. There, on my richly upholstered settee, is a cramped-looking Eldas.
Aww he slept on her uncomfy sofaaaa
he def loves her
“You look like a goddess,” Eldas amends. “I would not change a single thing about you, Luella.” My traitorous heart skips at his words.
EEEEK
“You’re such an enigma to me, Luella,” he whispers longingly.
