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Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
Elise Kova
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March 13 - March 16, 2025
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.
The Weakness has been a withering sickness plaguing Capton’s people.
“I want to take you away and spend time with you, and only you, Luella. Surely, you know…I’ve loved you for a long time.”
“I see.” Two words from the Elf King freeze us all in place.
“Love is choice,”
“The Knowing is when an elf identifies the true name of an object, creature, or person. A true name is sound given to the raw essence of what something is—something unique to every creature and thing.
“I don’t have friends,” he says faintly.
“King Eldas.
“Saraphina.”
“Saraphina, stay with me.”
Love is a dangerous distraction from duty.
there was only one world, long ago. That world was then split into two—the Realm of Mortals and the Beyond—with what we call the Veil. Then, the realm of mortals was split in two again, creating Midscape and the Natural World.”
“There’s three worlds total? The Beyond, Midscape, and the Natural World?”
“You got it!” He leans over and flicks my nose.
I’m a walking bag of manure in their eyes.
“But you’re my husband.”
“I am your king first.”
“Strike me again, and it will be the last thing you freely do,”
“You…you changed your true name. You’ve already managed the Being.”
“You have a right to nothing of mine that isn’t freely given.”
“You are a moody prince glorified with a thorny-looking, iron crown,” I snap back.
“You will respect me!” Eldas shouts. “Be someone worthy of respecting first!”
“—You’re the only friend I’ve ever had.
“Heartroot.”
‘The heartroot remembers,’ is how the old adage goes.
the elves’ onomancy—the wild magic of names.
fae have ritumancy—magic charged by rituals
vampir have sanguinmancy—magic...
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The plants were looking out for me, I realize. They’ve always been.
“I’m not a good meal,” I say.
“Are you the same wolf as that day in the woods with Luke?”
I succeed, and am free. I can return to Capton. I can help the people I’ve sworn my life to. I fail, and I’m trapped for the rest of my life. At least this way, there’s a chance. There’s hope.
“He’s a good boy, that’s what he is,” I coo to the wolf.
“Rinni, did you just say something nice about me?”
“Please. I have better things to do with my time than kill you.”
“Am I nothing more than your duty?”
Eldas wants a portrait of me? For what purpose?
“Three, or four years ago?
Uhm ew. Too recent.
“I am a king, why would I not wear my crown?”
Your king. The words rumble in contrast to “your queen.” If I am his queen, does that mean he is my king? Is it, rather than him owning me, that we own each other? We share each other?
“I am not made for dreams. I am made to rule.” “I think you’re made for whatever you want to be.”
“Apologize to the drink. Because rather than being on your tongue it’s now merely on my clothes—a sorry demotion.”
“See, we’re stronger when we work together,” I murmur.
“Who’s the best Hookie? You’re the best Hookie! Best boy gets his tummy scratched. Yes he does. Yes he does.”
This is what I was meant to do—help people.
“You would do that for my wretch of a brother?” “Even wretches need care.”
The people who act the worst are often hurting the worst.
I am your mother.” “A shame you have failed to ever act like it.”
“How dare you speak to my wife that way!”
