Page 41 of Crown of Ellova: Vol 1

“Try not to take offense. This is just how the forest in the Verge is. Had we been attacked here, they would be dead. In the echoes of Ellova’s history, mortals have meant death and destruction. The protection is wary and the magic is only doing what the enchantment requires of them. Your vow means the forest didn’t feel it needed to end your life, but it seems all mortals are still unwelcome here.”

He concedes but side-eyes the tree closest to him. “I can hardly be offended at magic seeking to do its job.”

The sounds of the early-morning forest surround us. A flash of blue wings takes flight, and when I look back, other birds and a few of the furrier residents here shadow us.

Leon follows my gaze to the unusually wide tree covered in thick ivy before us. “What is this?”

“A tree portal. It’s a way to travel,” I say to Leon before I kneel next to Farren. “Do you wish to stay here or come with us?”

Farren twirls, his fluffy tail sliding across my face before he leans against me.

I scratch behind his ears and kiss his little forehead. Another fox who has trailed behind us makes a noise at Farren. My foxscampers to follow, but runs back for one last long pet and a soft head bump before racing off.

“He won’t be joining us?”

“Farren rarely accompanies me to Ellova. He enjoys the freedom the forest offers. He knows the way if needed, and the cottage wards allow him to travel in and out at will. If danger is near, the protection wards will seal him inside. Long ago there was a winter crueler than any before it and we stayed safe with friends in Ellova. He was so upset he destroyed my favorite pair of shoes, two dresses, and eleven books. Little terror. Now he is free to go where he likes.”

It would not be safe for me to come check on Farren, but Tavien or Viella, Ellova’s Spy Guardian, would if I asked.

The thick trunk hides a large hollow in it, only revealed when I pull back the ivy that drapes over the massive tree. It’s pitch black inside and I pull Leon in with me, dropping the tangle of leaves to hide the opening again. I step up to the back of the tree, my left hand still in Leon’s.

Before he can ask, I explain, “It’s a portal tree. We need to travel as fast as possible and this is it. I’ve never used them by myself as they take quite a bit of magic to command but it’s worth a try. Don’t let go of my hand, all right?”

“I trust you,” he says in the darkness, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

I feel around on the bark until I find a hand-shaped carving and line up my fingers with the grooves. I close my eyes and remember the terror I felt as those guards closed in on Farren and Leon, the fear of being Grayden’s prisoner, of never seeing Leon or Nueena again. I beg the portal to propel us forward, for the crown’s power to release some of its reservoir of magic. A pulling sensation swirls down my hand, the tree’s portal enchantments siphoning the magic. My stomach lurches forward as the magic is accepted and the inside of the tree lights up from within and then goes dark, the ground behind us rolling. Seconds pass by before the ground shifts behind us from grass to a light brown dirt and the movement of the tree stills.

“It worked,” I whisper with surprised elation. The throbbing in my head from the magic’s pressure has lessened, too. We both turn and Leon pushes back the curtain of ivy as we step outside. The forest is behind us and we stand at the base of Ellova’s mountains. “Let’s go.”

We both look up at the rough side of the large rocky mountain and the impossibly steep incline of the path ahead of us. The protective glamour hides the true entrance.

“Are you sure you’re feeling well enough for this?” he asks, apprehension on his features.

“I’ve climbed the Venneem Mountains many times,” We are so close to the royal natatorium, and the thought of the cool, healing waters in the private pool pushes me forward.

“Venneem Mountains? I’ve only heard it called Widowmaker’s Peak. You know, I’ve put a great deal of effort into staying alive up until this point. I’m not sure I’m ready to die here.” His eyebrows are drawn towards each other, but when he turns towards me, his next words are teasing. “Even if I do adore the company.”

I bump my shoulder with his and start walking. “It’s glamoured.” This is the first secret of Ellova I’ve spilled. I wonder how many more of Ellova’s truths I will reveal to this mortal before his time here is up.

We ascend the side of the mountain, careful to use the crude steps carved into the dirt. Looking up, it is all jagged rocks until it reaches the top of a steep cliff. Behind it are more mountains as far as I can see.

Leon keeps looking up with a puzzled expression. “Izadella, what’s at the top?”

I ignore him. One minute and it will all be revealed to him. A few more steps up and the mountain flattens off to a small landing with barely enough room for the two of us to walk on.

Leon reaches a protective hand out when a few rocks slide down the now nearly vertical mountainside path. I entwine my fingers with his and pull him sharply to the left.

“Stay close to me. Climb any more that way and you will find yourself falling off an invisible cliff into a pit and never know why.”

The glamour’s barrier shimmers, though I’m unsure if he can see it or if it takes fae eyes, so I don’t say anything about the magic when we pass through it. I hear a quiet intake of breath as he looks up at what has been revealed.

We still have further to climb, but the dirt and rocks are gone. The mountain is a lush green path with trees around the large stone stairs now available to us. His mouth is open slightly and he’s looking between me and the new mountain.

“That’s why they call it Widowmaker’s Peak. If you don’t know where the mountain door is, the magic will shove you off it and deposit your broken body at the base. Part of the magic that protects us, an ancient fae guarding spell.”

He only nods. “Is this the entrance to Ellova?”

“No, at least not an entrance anyone else can use. The real entrance is elsewhere but there’s no time to get to it,” I explain and we start up the smooth steps.

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