Page 78 of Calling of the Crown

Angus dipped his head in apology. “Just being realistic, Your Majesty. King Elias has sought Water Fae annihilation, after all.”

“After his own parents’ pursuit of it, yes. But just like Bria chose to walk a different path than her parents, Elias may do the same thing. He could see the benefit in a truce.”

Elias hadn’t started the war over a century ago, something I’d learned during my lessons. It had been his father and mother, King Zair and Queen Helena, who pursued the war with Water Fae. Elias engaged in battle during those times, and he took over as King shortly before the fighting paused when I and all of Water Fae went into hiding. Perhaps the twenty years of near quiet had given him time to think and re-evaluate how he’d like to continue our relationship as neighboring Kingdoms now that both had new leaders.

Our group finally wove through the last of the towering trees and climbed a hill until an open field came into view below. Knee-high flowers littered every inch of the ground, but they were different from the flowers in the human realm. The petals were long, slender, kind of like the strands on pom-poms. They blew in the breeze and brushed against our horses’ legs as we tracked further out into the field. Lake Wisp sat in the middle, which felt like a divider between us and the green-and-gold tent set up on the other side of the water.

“That must be where Elias is,” I said, more to myself than anyone else.

The sight of the vibrant canopy made a fresh wave of worry stir in my stomach.

Rune squeezed me tighter. “You can do this. I know you can.”

For once, his words fell on deaf ears. I doubted anything could quiet the rush of anxieties stampeding in my head right now. So much was riding on this meeting. The fate of Ambrolia as a whole, the fate of Water Fae, the fate of Land Fae. Everything would change after today—our next steps determined and sealed.

What if I messed up and doomed us all to death? Rune’s mother had once stated that she believed I’d be the downfall of Water Fae.

What if she was right?

Angus and Jesiah summoned a bridge of ice from the lake as we reached it, and while we crossed the structure, I found my resolve hardening like the ice beneath our steeds. I had to secure an agreement with King Elias. I had to convince him that peace was in his best interest, just as it was ours. Failure was not an option today.

Soldiers dressed in gold waited like statues near the shore of the lake and stood outside the tent. As soon as all of us were safely across the lake, we dismounted our horses and gathered in our own formation—Angus and Rance flanking Rune’s left, Jesiah and Dallas on my right, and the rest of our guards behind us. No sooner had we gathered along the bank than the flap of the tent opened to reveal a striking man. I knew right away that this was King Elias.

The way he stood—shoulders straight, head high, hands behind his back—could only be defined as regal. The relatively young King—he was only 140 from what I’d heard, even younger than Rune—was tall and wide, and his green-and-gold tunic stretched over bulging muscles. The colors of his dressings made his green eyes lively, almost like two emeralds resting against his olive skin. Dark, short curls fell across his forehead, and resting atop the soft curls, was a glittering gold crown.

“Queen Bria. Lovely to meet you at last,” Elias greeted with a wide smile, though as I drew closer, I saw there was no warmth to be found in the gesture.

“King Elias,” I replied, ensuring my voice came out calm. My procession stopped a few feet before him. “Thank you for asking me here today.”

“Of course.” His green eyes flicked to my husband, and his smile tightened. “Rune. I see you’re doing well on the other side. I suppose you aren’t as strong as we all thought you to be.”

“Or perhaps I’m stronger than you thought, which is why I stand where I do,” Rune answered, the perfect picture of ease.

Elias raised a full, dark brow. “Only time will tell.” He turned to me once more and said, “I believe you and I have much to discuss. I would offer for Rune to join us; however, I have someone here whom I believe he’d rather speak to at the moment.”

Before Rune or I could respond, the tent flap opened once more. My stomach dropped. Out strolled a poised, stoic Myra, her fiery eyes immediately locking on her son.

By some miracle, neither Rune nor I reacted outwardly, though I was sure Rune was reeling on the inside. This was the first time he’d seen his mom face-to-face in the numerous weeks since our showdown in her backyard. This was the woman who’d haunted and tormented him with false dreams and hope of a mother-son relationship. It was the woman whom he loved despite all she’d done, despite her not deserving his love.

“Rune,” Myra said flatly.

Rune swallowed hard. “Mother.”

Tension as thick as honey permeated the air between the two, which seemed to bring the first real spark of joy to Elias’s eyes.

The Land Fae King looked at me and offered, “Why don’t we let the two of them have their family reunion while you and I talk alone?”

I glanced between Myra and Rune, letting my gaze land on his. Worry for me caused a crease between his brow, and he seemed to struggle between wanting to talk with his mom or following me. I offered him a reassuring smile and subtly dipped my chin toward his mom in silent encouragement. Then I pushed down my own set of nerves, pulled back my shoulders, and followed Elias into the tent.

The gold fabric seemed to put Elias and me in our own world. The massive space was empty when we first walked in, save for a small fire in the back, but as Elias crossed the ground, the earth suddenly moved. Vines and branches burst from the soil and rose up through the white flowers, arranging themselves into two chairs that faced each other. A rock soon followed, rising slowly from the ground to create a table between the seats.

Because of my studies, I knew Elias was of the Elemental Class of Land Fae, but this was the first time I’d ever seen one use their abilities before—and in such a powerful way. He didn’t raise an arm, wave a hand, or even flick a wrist. The land simply knew what to do with a mere thought from him, and it was that kind of relationship I hoped to have with my own element one day. As I sat in one of the seats, I wasn’t sure whether or not to be in awe or on edge due to his sheer power.

“Allow me to formally introduce myself,” Elias said as he sank into the chair across from me. “I am King Elias Brom Tarkeenan, son to the late King Zair and Queen Helena Tarkeenan.”

“I’m delighted to make your acquaintance,” I replied calmly. “I’m Queen Bria Marina Damaris, daughter to the late King Khal and Queen Alesta Damaris.”

Elias smiled and held his hand, palm down, over the ground by his side. A vine covered in yellow, star-shaped flowers slowly rose from the ground and grew until it reached his hand. “I know you traveled a distance here. Would you care for some stardew tea?”

---