by E. L. Todd
“It’s not my cup of tea anyway…”
“When King Lux is defeated and peace returns to this land, I will step down. A new regime will step in—and a new legacy will be born.”
“I think that’s a great idea. Except the last part. Whether we’re at war or peace, you’re the rightful king.”
His eyes shifted back and forth as he regarded her.
“How will you achieve this?”
“That, I don’t know. But I do know that she won’t expect it.”
“I don’t think anyone will…”
Pretty?
Cora lay on her cot in the meadow, a few feet away from where Callon slept. It was a clear night, and the starlight was almost too bright to sleep. Hey, Flare. How are things?
We’re getting close to the forest. Had to take a couple detours, but we made it.
I can’t wait to see you.
Me too, Pretty. Here’s Rush.
You’re still in one piece, right?
Yes. But it’s a long story…
Blah, blah?
She gave a quiet chuckle out loud.
Callon turned in his pack to regard her, stirred at the sound.
“Sorry…”
He gave an annoyed look and rolled on his side to face the other way.
The queen ordered her men to take me away, but when Callon refused to step down, the soldiers backed off. Instead, Callon ordered them to tell every elf in the forest that I’m Cora Riverglade…daughter of Tiberius.
General Badass…
I know.
Did you ask him to help us?
He said he can’t leave Eden Star, not after it was attacked.
That’s fair.
He also said that he’s going to overthrow the queen…and take her place.
Whaaaaaat? Okay, that’s it. He’s officially General Badass from now on.
She gave another chuckle but kept it within her mind this time. I couldn’t believe it.
It’s the right move for his people—so I can.
I’m a little worried about leaving him here alone. I can’t even talk to him…
He’s the last person you need to worry about.
You’re probably right.
Based on my calculations, we’ll arrive tomorrow afternoon. Ready?
Yes.
We’ll meet you at the same place. How are the shitheads anyway?
Shitheads?
The little frogs I dropped off.
She rolled her eyes. They’re good. Getting really big. About half the size of an adult.
Man, that’s still enormous.
They’re a lot more subdued in the forest because they know they’re safe here.
You think that’s another reason General Noose invaded the forest? To get rid of the last of them?
It hadn’t crossed her mind. Maybe. But that doesn’t matter anymore…now that they know what I’m capable of.
Wait until they find out about Ashe. He gave a chuckle. Man, I’d give anything to see my father’s face…
The fireflies lit up the shrouded mist in the cemetery, providing a solid screen that provided a barrier of privacy for anyone else visiting the spirits of their loved ones. The stone bench was cold to the touch, even through the fabric of her pants.
“I was able to fight him off until he retreated with the Shamans. Queen Delwyn was unharmed, and Callon recovered. We put out the fires, but most people lost their homes. A lot of people perished. We still don’t know how they got in…”
The wisps of blue smoke that outlined his presence floated in the air, the line permanent but also ethereal. “I felt the disturbance. I knew something terrible had befallen Eden Star.”
“The forest will recover…and we’ll rebuild.”
“It’s a great relief to know my queen and brother are both well.”
“Yes.”
“And it brings me honor to know that my daughter was the savior of this beautiful place.” There were no features in his countenance, but his stare was present, hot on her face. “I’m grateful that my brother has been such a presence in your life. Without him, victory would have been impossible.”
“He’s the greatest person I’ve ever known.”
“I can only imagine how grateful Queen Delwyn is.”
“Actually…she accused me of being responsible.”
His stare ensued.
“Said I was the reason they entered Eden Star. Decided to turn me over to King Lux. It would have happened…if Callon hadn’t intervened. There’s no doubt of her corruption at this point. Callon intends to remove her from power and take the throne for himself.”
The silence passed on indefinitely, like he was too overwhelmed to form a response.
Cora feared she’d offended him—and he would disappear.
“You seem to be describing a different man—because my brother would never do such a thing. But if he has…it’s for good reason. He’s not susceptible to temptation. There’s no ego to feed. His stomach doesn’t gnaw for power. Every action he takes is for the good of his people—so this must be right for Eden Star.”
“It is.”
“This is a hard truth to accept. I shared my life with Delwyn in every intimate way imaginable. But now I sort through the memories of the past, wondering what I was so naïve to miss.”
“I’m sorry…”
“I’m the one who should be sorry—and ashamed.”
“Love makes us overlook things sometimes…”
The silence returned, hanging there like the mist.
“I’m leaving Eden Star. Not sure when I’ll return.”
“Where do your travels take you?”
“To the Stronghold. The dwarves need our help—and they have a dragon.”
“A dragon fused with a dwarf? Unheard of.”
“We want to free the dragon and forge an alliance between them and the elves.”
“How can an alliance be forged when the Queen of Eden Star has no interest?”
“I’m hoping that Callon has claimed the throne by the time I return.”
“His ascension may be swift. He’s unanimously loved by every elf in Eden Star. There is no elf in our history that has served his people greater than he has. He will be a great king. Far better than I was.”
“They still love you—even though you’re gone.”
He turned quiet again.
“I think that’s why they tolerate Delwyn. Out of respect for you.”
The outline of his head turned away.
“I’m not sure when we’ll speak again…so I wanted to say goodbye.”
After a while, he turned back to her again. “Please be careful, Cora. I don’t want this to be our last conversation—with the veil between us. I would much rather you speak to me while alive than while dead.”
“I’ll be okay. I’m not alone.”
“I know your dragon will keep you safe. Have you told him what I revealed to you?”
“No. He asked a few times, but I told him it was elven folklore. It hurt to lie to him. I still feel terrible about it.”
“With a connection as profound as that, it goes against nature to deceive and conceal. It’s not a door that you open and close. The door doesn’t exist at all.”
Another jolt moved into her heart, stopping it for a few seconds before it continued on. Her eyes penetrated the mist, desperate to see a face that no longer existed. “You speak about this like…you know exactly how it feels.”
Silence.
Her heart drummed like the sound of war, loud in her ears, strong in her temples.
His head turned away, regarding his own grave. “Because I do.”
Her lungs sucked in the air instinctively, her nostrils flaring as her blood demanded a dump of oxygen. A million words came to her mind, but somehow, she couldn’t get them into her mouth and on her tongue.
“It was a short while…but it was the most intense connection I’ve ever felt. There is no relationship more intimate than one that is f
used. My spirit has found peace on this side of the veil, but the heartbreak has never stopped. Even now, I share every thought like she can still hear it.”
“You…you were fused with a dragon?”
He nodded. “The plan was to destroy the Steward of Easton in his castle before moving on High Castle. When we camped for the night, I took my evening walk alone. That was when I came upon her—and her stunning scales. Alone. Scared. Injured. With King Lux scouring every inch of Anastille, she had nowhere to go, especially with broken wings. She trusted me when she didn’t have reason to. And we fused.”
Cora took a breath, speechless.
“Our time together was short. Just for a year. I took her to Eden Star, and she was overwhelmed by the beauty of the trees. With her large size, she could never experience the forest the way I could. I gave her things she couldn’t find herself. She did the same for me. Our friendship deepened. It turned into something more—familial.”
“What happened to her?”
He dropped his chin as he sucked in a deep and painful breath. “I was killed—and so was she.”
They took the secret passage out of Eden Star.
The rocky crevasses on either side of them blocked the sunlight from heating their already warm skin. Roots grew in the cracks. And even in the shade, flowers still bloomed. Water trickled down from a waterfall that couldn’t be seen.
Now that Callon was the general once more, he was always in his armor, ready for a battle that could arrive on his doorstep in the middle of the night.
“Callon?”
His eyes remained ahead as he escorted her out of the forest. “Yes?”
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
They passed through the rocks and entered the meadow on the other side, the wild flowers swaying in the subtle breeze. The trunks of the trees in the forest were beautiful, but the wide-open view was special in its own way. “I’m listening.”
“My father shared something with me. He told me I could share it with you.”
He took a few steps in the meadow before he stopped to regard her.
She held his gaze, the sun beating down on them both now that the mountain was behind them. “When he died…he was fused with a dragon.”
There was no reaction—at least, not at first. It took several moments for his roots to soak up the drops of truth, to process the words he’d just heard.
“He came across her in the countryside. She was injured, so he fused to keep her safe. They remained that way for a year—until he was killed.”
His stare hardened—visibly angry.
“That’s too much of a coincidence, right? The fact that he was fused…and I have these abilities.”
“Tiberius Riverglade, King of Eden Star, would never betray his people. He would never harbor the enemy within our borders. He would never conceal such a secret from us all—let alone me.”
“Callon—”
“You misunderstood him.” He continued his walk, this time his stride quicker.
She watched him go.
Give him time.
I don’t understand. He knows I’m fused with you—
It’s a different kind of betrayal, Hatchling. His own brother harbored this secret—and never shared it.
Probably because he knew he would react this way.
Because of my decision, he lost the people he loves most. For his own brother to fuse with his enemy, it’s a different kind of betrayal. He needs time—so let’s give it to him.
Now that the border of Eden Star was being monitored on a grander scale, they had to venture farther away from the tree line to avoid detection. The trek was spent in silence—at Callon’s request.
They moved through a copse of trees and reached the other side.
When she saw them, her heart sprouted wings and flew with the strength of a dragon. They sat together on a gathering of boulders, shaded by a lone tree. Rush stood on a rock, one leg hiked higher than the other as he faced the other way, keeping a lookout.
Callon halted at the last tree—as if he refused to go any farther. His eyes drilled into Rush’s backside with the same wild anger with which he regarded General Noose. His hand reached for the pommel of his sword, but after a heavy breath, his hand returned to his side. When his emotions were gathered, he turned to Cora. Now that she was about to depart, the anger he’d been harboring faded. The tension released from his face. “I know you’re strong. I know Ashe will protect you. But please be careful, Sor-lei.”
Her eyes softened as she gave a nod.
“You’re all I have—and I can’t lose you.”
“I can’t lose you either…”
He embraced her with both arms, hugging her tightly as he rested his chin on her head. “Return as soon as you can.”
“I will.” With her cheek pressed to his chest, she closed her eyes. “Rein-Lei-Vu.”
His hand cupped the back of her head. “Rein-Lei-Vu…” When he pulled away, he pressed a kiss to her forehead, his hand still supporting her neck. Her body suddenly went cold when his affection was taken away, when he turned and returned the way they’d come. He didn’t look back.
She watched him go until he disappeared into the trees.
The weight of her heart pulled her entire body to the earth. Her eyes blinked several times to dispel the moisture that built up on her bottom lid. When tears escaped, she wiped them with her fingers and marched forward. “I’m here…”
Bridge and the others came over to greet her, exchanging hugs and pleasantries.
Rush walked over but lingered, giving everyone else an opportunity to stay hello first. When the group parted, he stepped forward, wearing his handsome smirk. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. I just hate saying goodbye.”
“It’s not goodbye. It’s see-you-later.”
She nodded.
He kept his distance, his arms by his sides, eyes on hers.
She watched him in return, her heart aching for a whole new reason. “I’m really happy to see you…”
The smirk faded, his eyes giving away his emotion. “Is that for me or Flare?”
She moved into his chest and wrapped her arms around him, her face fitting against his chest just the way it used to.
His arms reciprocated in a flash, cupping her petite size with his big hands, bringing her so close there wasn’t a breath between them. His chin rested on her head, and he gave a deep exhale.
Her hands instantly remembered his body, remembered every aspect of his physique. It was like stepping into her home, the most comfortable place in the world. Fire chased away the mist. Affection chased away the loneliness. “You.”
32
One Thing in Common
The campfire glowed just long enough to cook the meat. A rabbit was split five ways—and Cora subsisted on the food she’d packed. The flames were snuffed out before darkness arrived, but there was still a red-orange glow in the embers.
Everyone retired to sleep in their bedrolls. Cora took the first watch because she wasn’t tired, but Rush remained across from her, his handsome face fatigued by the constant travels across Anastille.
Rush sat on the ground with his back to the rock, his arms resting on his knees. “So, Hawk loves Peony, and Peony loves Hawk, but since she’s afraid he’s gonna die, she’s like ‘Nah, I’ll pass’?”
“I wouldn’t put it like that, but pretty much.”
“Well, that sounds kinda dumb.”
“I know. I hope the attack on Eden Star changes her opinion.”
“It’s nice that you made some friends. What did you bribe them with?”
She narrowed her eyes in a playful way.
He gave a chuckle. “You know I kid.”
“There’s also Lia too, but I’m not as close with her as the other two.”
“How did everyone react when your lineage was revealed?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. Callon and I stayed away from Eden Star after our confrontation with the
queen. But the people loved Tiberius so much that I suspect it will improve my social standing significantly.”
“I’m sure it will get the queen off your back.”
“I don’t know… She’s vile. I’m worried what she’ll do to Callon.”
“She can’t touch him. He’s been protecting Eden Star far longer than she’s been queen. The elves know that.”
“I know, but…you should have seen her face. She’s tried to get rid of me so many times, and Callon has always prevented it. I’m more than just a thorn in her side. I’m her biggest vulnerability.”
“Because she thinks you want to be queen? That’s ironic because you have no interest in the crown, and now Callon is going for it—and he’s a much bigger threat.”
“Yeah, it is ironic.” Her eyes dropped to the fire, the gentle glow growing fainter.
“There must be more to the story.”
Her eyes lifted up again.
“Maybe she does hate you. Maybe she is humiliated by her husband’s infidelity. But to sacrifice all her integrity to hide this secret…doesn’t make sense. She’s hiding something else.”
“Tiberius said she hasn’t come to visit him since he died.”
“Suspicious, isn’t it?”
“A bit.”
His eyes dropped and looked her over, examining the strong but durable armor Callon had provided her. “You look cute in that, by the way.”
She instinctively looked down at herself. “Thanks. I thought I could use it for what’s to come. And I’d rather wear it than carry it in my pack the entire way.”
After he looked her over, his eyes settled on her face, the stare so focused he didn’t blink.
She met his look and gave a swallow.
“It’s nice to have these conversations while I can see your face.” Crickets were loud in the meadow around them. An occasional hoot split the night. The sky was cloudless to expose a full moon, the light piercing the darkness. His hands together around his knees, Rush’s eyes glowed as he examined her, a subtle smile on his lips. “We’ve been apart for so long…it’s hard to believe you’re really here.”
“I know…”
