Page 83 of Crown of Ellova: Vol 1

“Lead the way,” he shouts over the wind into my ear, and it sends shivers down to my core. He is leaning forward, tucking his head above my shoulder.

I point in the direction of the forest that houses the spring, a well-worn riding path in front of us. After a couple of miles of swift riding, Leon slows our horse to carefully navigate the forest, and we emerge into a meadow of bright wildflowers at a leisurely pace.

“How are you feeling this morning?” he says, leaning into my ear.

“Better than I have felt in days.” I almost feel like myself. There was no pounding in my head when I awoke this morning, the crushing pressure of the magic weight lessened. I should have returned to my court sooner.

“I’m glad to hear that. This place is something special.”

“It truly is.”

“It’s breathtaking here,” Leon says wistfully, “so unlike Adreania. Everything here has a warmth to it. The fae here, the food, the architecture. It’s all around. I never realized just how cold the castle was, how lifeless it was, ’til I came here. The Iron Castle has a heaviness that claws at you, cutting deep and crawling into your bones from its neverending winters.” His arms get a little tighter around my waist. “You were the only thing that would brighten my day. A sliver of sunshine at midnight breaking through a life full of black clouds, even if it was just for a moment.”

Sorrow slices into my heart, severing it in two at his words. I squeeze my eyes shut and place my hand over his. I need to keep this perfect man at a distance, but he makes it so difficult. “Leon, I?—”

Before I can respond, he asks, “Did you spend much time here when you were growing up?”

I sigh. “Yes.” My words are breathy. “Our powers develop slowly over the course of the fifty years we are considered dewlings. There are plenty of jewelry makers in Ellova, but the gifts of a jewelsmithare rare. It wasn’t exactly something I could teach myself how to control. I would touch a necklace and it would turn into a puddle dripping silver on the floor. Hold a knife at dinner and it would turn into a snake sliding around the table. The palace lost quite a few dishes and statues to my touch, as I was unable to shift them back to their original forms. Once, Nueena and I were playing dress-up in Nyvenah’s closet and I accidentally turned her favorite crown into a golden dove. Flew right out the window, never to be seen again.”

Leon’s sudden burst of laughter echoes around the small valley we are riding through. “Was she angry?”

“No, of course not. She’s too kind for that. I went on to make her countless jewelry pieces, including many crowns, to try and make up for it. Eventually it was agreed that Nueena and I would spend a summer here when we were old enough. I trained under Lazalai, who has a similar power. Even though she was a busy Guardian, she always made time for lessons.” That familiar touch of guilt lingers at the memory and what I’m keeping from her now. “By the end of the summer, I could control my magic. I also learned to do embroidery, paint with oils, create glass mosaics, and make wine.”

He smiles. “Sounds like you had an enchanting childhood.”

“What was your childhood like?”

“Expectations were high, but my childhood was a happy one. I was especially close with my younger brother and our parents, who gave us a great life. I spent most of my time reading. When I was thirteen, my mother moved my brother, my cousin, and me from our estate to the house I had wished to send you to. We lived there for a number of years.”

“Where was your father?”

“He stayed to run the family business in the city. My mother thought country life would be best for us, plenty of room for us to run around. It was chaos in the way only three boys can make it. My brother and cousin were the wild ones. I preferred reading or spending time with the town healer, just observing. The other two got into trouble as if their lives depended on it. At seventeen, I leftfor the capital of Versairen for my medical training. My family were clear that a successful healer position for me would bring them great pride. I haven’t seen them since.”

“That’s a long time to be away.”

“It is, but they knew how important it was for me to be a healer.”

“So you have always wanted to help others?”

He lets out a little laugh. “I was born for it.”

“You must miss them.”

“It’s been a long time. My parents have passed, but I hope to see my brother and cousin soon. Maybe you can meet them too.”

“I’d like that.” I feel so safe with his hand tight on my hip, securing me, with him sitting so close as we ride. His warmth and the scent of wildflowers in the air make me feel like I could tell him anything and he would understand no matter what it was.

Up ahead, through the trees, I can see the Airvell River that rushes by and the small stream leading into the rocky area where the waterfall cascades down into the natural pool, thick ivy climbing up behind it.

“I loved swimming here with Nueena. Those who live in the crystal palace prefer to swim in the lake, so the spring is often empty. We would swim for hours.”

“My brother and I loved swimming when we were growing up, too.”

Finally, we arrive at the small pool of turquoise water. A few white water lilies with round leaves decorate the surface. We can see the green plants we need at the bottom. Leon slides off the back of the horse. He comes to help me down, and Barley nibbles on the surrounding shrubs. Bright greenery shades the spring; this hidden place is filled with the healing waters of the Airvell River. Lizards with bright blue heads and orange bodies lounge on rocks, soaking up the sun, while bright teal dragonflies dance over the water.

Leon lifts his shirt and slides it over his head, and I am momentarily lost in his body. His bare chest with its taut muscles, the deep vee on his hips demanding my eyes lower. When I finally look up at him, his half grin sends butterflies erupting in my chest.

“Hello.” His voice is as smooth as chocolate.

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