Page 95 of Crown of Ellova: Vol 1

Everett laughs. “That it did; that it did.”

“I’ve made it increasingly clear I have no interest in him.”

“That only adds to the allure, I’m afraid.”

I roll my eyes. “It really shouldn’t.”

“I’ve repeatedly told him to leave you be, but if it happens again, let me know. I will shove him into the harbor and make him swim to shore. It’s not as if he could complain to Lillian about it.”

The mental image is a delightful one. “I would appreciate that. How’s your family? Is your mother excited for the coronation?”

“Oh, you know her. Obsessed with nature, as always. She’s definitely looking forward to the coronation, though. We all agree Nueena will make for an excellent ruler of Ellova. Even when we were dewlings, she was a natural leader. Remember when our teacher fell ill unexpectedly and no one from the Ink Court sent another scholar to teach for the day? Nueena just took over the lessons without a second thought.” We both laugh at the memory.

With the coronation so close, every shop seems busier than expected. Hiliyah’s display windows are full of new fabrics to enticecustomers, lush velvets and shining silks, and she has a line wrapping around the corner.

We can smell the chocolatier before it even comes into view.

Everett holds the door open for me and a bouncing Kaylena. The three of us are greeted with the gratifying scent of roasting cocoa beans. The chocolate confections sit behind long countertops covered with arching glass, and the shelves have everything from tall chocolate liqueur bottles to chocolate-dipped candied fruits.

Kaylena rushes to the sweet treats, her face pressed to the glass, gazing at the rows and rows of luxurious truffles dusted with a thick layer of cocoa powder.

Everett lifts up Kaylena and asks for Nyvenah’s buttercreams. “Should we get some for your sister too?”

“Yeah!” Kaylena scrunches up her nose, leaning against me. “She likes the salty ones.”

I laugh and order Nueena a few of the buttery caramel pieces with salt from the Elbasan Sea and some smooth hazelnut truffles for Tavien. Leon seems to love how overly sweet everything tastes here, and I find the perfect one for him among the decadent selections: a milky chocolate with a creamy brown sugar center.

Rich like all the fae food, and sweet like him.

We leave with our trades and head back to the palace.

Everett holds out his bag. “Here, have some. I know they are your favorite.”

I peek inside and reach for the dark chocolate kneaded with crushed walnuts. “You remembered!”

“Of course, they are my favorite too.”

I eat a few more pieces and lick the rich and velvety texture off my fingers as Everett escorts us back to the palace.

He looks back and forth, surveying the crowd, before his hand goes to his sword. I pick up speed, tightening my hand in Kaylena’s, and turn to attempt to find where he is looking but he quickly spins around. I desperately search the crowd but I see nothing suspicious or out of place. No one is paying us any mind as they walk from shop to shop.

Kaylena looks from me to Everett, who has drawn his sword, and eagerly asks, “Can I take out my dagger now?”

“No, no, Everett is just being careful,” I say, still scanning around us. I feel nothing, no eyes on us, and no sensation of being followed.

Everett makes a whistling nose and two guards from the Court of Swords appear. “Take them back to the palace,” he orders before he dashes off into the crowd. The new guards take their positions on each side of us. They keep their swords tucked in their sheath but continue to assess for some invisible danger.

My stomach is in knots by the time we arrive at the palace steps. “I need the commandernow,” I tell the first honeyguard I see, who dashes back inside.

Lillian must have been near. She comes racing towards us, Nyvenah on her heels. “What’s wrong? What happened?” Lillian frantically looks over Kaylena, and then at me for injuries.

Nyvenah picks Kaylena up, showering her with kisses. Before I can answer, Kaylena shouts, “Everett’s back!”

Lillian, Nyvenah, and I spin to find him stalking towards us. “There was a hooded figure following us. I tried to follow but they escaped,” Everett explains angrily.

“Where?” Lillian demands, sending honeyguards to search for whoever was foolish enough to attempt to harm us, and he tells her everything.

“Thank you, Everett.” Nyvenah opens one arm to me, and I join Kaylena in their embrace. “No one leaves here without multiple honeyguards from now on.”

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