For some reason, this is my day, and yet, I can’t help but think of a thousand memories involving him. A year of goading and teasing and rivalries. But we would be on the council together. Not quite working together, but there would be meetings. And parties. And… well. He is Teo’s closest friend, as I am Estela’s.
Someone would have to make the first move in bridging the gap between us.
I dip my head toward him as he stares up at me.
And then… slowly. He dips his head back.
A smile pulls at my lips. I look away, feeling triumphant as the music starts again.
Just as I hold my hand up to wave to the people, I catch sight of the group of children making their way up the steps.
Miti stands at the front, pointing at my green dress in smiling. I grab the skirt and give it a small flourish. She squeals in delight.
The singers invite the children to join their song as the council members stand, bringing gifts to a table stationed at the bottom of the steps. My smile widens when Lady Fira stands, holding a new bolt of cloth.
She had been the woman who took me in as an apprentice upon my arrival. I missed seeing her every day, but I would be glad for the time we would spend on the council.
More people come up, leaving their trinkets as I watch, bowing my head from above, and grinning from ear to ear.
“Thank you all,” I call out as loud as I can.
As the line begins to dwindle, Estela reaches out to touch my arm.
“Felicidades, querida,”she says. I laugh and turn around to hug her. She pushes onto her toes and presses a kiss to both of my cheeks.
“I hate to ruin the joviality, but sadly, we must have a meeting directly following the feast,” she murmurs in my ear.
My heart squeezes. Something about her tone feels ominous. Rallying my efforts, I turn back to the crowd and listen to the rest of the song.
Worry was for later.
Chapter 2
VANN
The queen arrives before the king and perches atop her throne. Estela smiles at everyone, her ethereal glow lighting the room. Blessed by the two goddesses, they say she shines like the swirling mass before the birth of a star.
Teo, my blood brother, sure thinks that's true.
Goddess-blessed or not, she brought mounds of trouble with her. While Teo would argue the conflicts were inevitable, I’m not so sure. We had been doing well enough—until the humans became part of our people.
In the end, my opinion on the matter of Estela and the humans was worth less than dust. She’s Teo’s mate, my queen, and the mother of the heir to the Enduar Kingdom. As personal advisor to Teo, my loyalty is to her.
I suppose, despite her trouble, she has earned my loyalty well enough.
Mother Liana, the Wise Woman and spiritual leader of Enduvida, stands at her right side, watching as the others trickle in.
The council chamber is hushed. Two elevated stone thrones, decorated with jewels, are the focal point of the room, but the large marble table is arranged at the bottom of the dais. Chairs have been placed around it, enough for all fifteen council members.
There are polished blue kyanite crystal clusters, cut from deeper caverns and positioned around the room, that cast long shadows across the stone walls.
Tonight, myailmentis relentless. My limbs are colder than usual, and the stillness of the air is pressing down on me like a blanket of snow.
I sit stiffly in my seat, arms crossed, watching as the others settle in while the post-ascension party rages outside.
I would’ve liked to attend, but I’ve been at Teo’s side, going over reports since Arlet’s ceremony.
The months after the war between the giants and ourselves have passed rapidly. With the giants gone, the elves have turned into the main enemy that threatens our borders.