Page 30 of Crown of Ellova: Vol 1

Instead I say, “The line is outside to hang your clothing, right when you walk out to the left. Do not attempt to go into the ominous glowing workshop, all right?”

We do not break eye contact as the words sink in. One eyebrow arches up, but he nods and heads outside with a slight frown on his face. Appearing to have listened, he immediately returns, locking the door as he does, and slowly walks over to the bed. I find him watching my hands as they twist my hair into a long braid for sleep.

He holds his hand out to me expectantly. “I’ll take the floor if you hand me a pillow?”

I look between him, his hand, and the exceedingly obvious place I’ve made for him next to me with the blanket moved down, folding it over to give it a welcoming appearance. Glancing up at him, I ask, “Do you wish to sleep on the floor?”

He pretends to look thoughtful for a moment. “It’s a hard choice, really. May I have a moment to think about it?” He holds up two hands like a scale. “Uncomfortable floor?” He lifts an arm up, tipping it upwards. “Beautiful woman.” He lifts the other arm up. “Decisions, decisions.”

It earns a smile from me. I hadn’t imagined it would be this hard to get him into bed. “What a compliment. I’m as appealing as the stone floor.”

He smiles back at me for a moment but then gets serious, his green eyes softening, words gentle. “I just want to be respectful of your space.”

“That is very kind of you, Leon. When I have a free moment, I shall commission a statue to your gallant chivalry, but between Grayden’s vile harassment, the kidnapping, the death of your king, and acquiring an indelible crown, I think we both have had a rather long day and could use a good night’s sleep. Which certainly won’t happen if you sleep on the floor.”

His laugh undoes a little of the woven ball of worry knitted in my chest.

“You also beat up those kidnappers.” He slides into the bed but leaves as much space as possible between our bodies.

I leave one candle burning, letting the wax drip on the table, and lie down, dreading sleeping with the crown on. The moment my head touches my pillow, I can no longer feel the crown or its magic, and I immediately bolt up again, gasping. Leon shoots out of the covers, ready with the sword that never leaves my side of the bed. The blade gleams in the candlelight while he looks around for a threat.

“What? Is everything all right?” He moves in a circle, seeking out the source of my panic.

“Yes…my apologies for startling you.” The feeling of the crown settles on my head once more, the pressing weight of the magic returning in a rush. He watches from above as I sink into the bed once more. The magic vibrations vanish, leaving only the slight weight of it, as if my hair is pulled too tight, but it’s not uncomfortable enough to keep me awake. There is hope for real sleep tonight. “When I return to my pillow, the sensation of magic is almost gone. Well, I know it is there. It makes its presence known…an odd feeling to be sure, but manageable.”

He looks at the crown with an expression of frustration, but his gaze quickly returns to one of interest at me. “May I touch it?” he asks tentatively, his raised hand paused and waiting for my permission.

I want him to touch me anywhere else, but I agree. “Of course.”

He stares down at me for a long moment before his eyes return to the crown. As his hand gets close, the crown vibrates, like a cat hissing at approaching unwanted affection. He pulls back sharply. “It is blistering hot. Are you sure you are all right?” He presses the back of his hand to my forehead to check my temperature.

I reach up and rub the smooth, warm metal. “It feels fine. The temperature of tea left out.”

“Interesting.” He lies back down beside me, but this time closer than before, both of us staring at the stone ceiling above. His voice is low as he asks, “Well, that’s good, right? Easier to sleep?”

I nod, his closeness bringing a wave of nervousness. How many nights did I imagine he was there beside me while I drifted off to sleep? Countless. He is warm and solid, close enough to touch, to taste, but I keep my hands to myself.

“Um, I didn’t want to ask when we arrived, but where is your family? I’m not going to be awakened in the middle of the night by a justifiably angry husband and crying children, am I? Not that I would blame the man. Of course, one must defend one’s marriage bed from strange men in it.”

I burst out laughing. “Leon, about that…”

“Ah. The family does not exist, do they? I’m going to guess they are as real as your Adreanian citizenship?”

My laugh slowly stops. “Sorry. All part of a carefully crafted facade to gain entrance to the Iron Castle and help its citizens in the only way I could.”

He chuckles. “I had my suspicions. You always had the look of a doe faced with an arrow when I inquired about them, and you changed the subject with alarming speed. I wouldn’t be surprised if Arra isn’t even your real name.”

Guilt guides me to honesty. “Um, well, Arra’s…Arra is not my name…” The mattress shifts as I face him. He follows my lead and turns; our noses are a few inches apart now. That sweet strawberry and earthy herb scent envelops me. I hope the sheets smell like him long after he’s slipped away from my exceedingly long life.

There are so few truths I can offer him, and when he walks away tomorrow, my real name must be one of them.

“Of course it’s not.” He gives me a small smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Why would it be?”

“Can we start over?” I slip my hand from under our blanket and hold it out to him. He pauses for a moment but takes it. His hand is warm, the simple touch electrifying. A spike of desire brings the urge to take that hand to other places as he moves his thumb over my skin before reluctantly pulling away.

“I would like that very much.” He looks relieved, a little tension lifting off him.

“Hello, I’m Izadella Aranelle. Jeweler, that much is true. I like roasted duck, blackberry wine, and adventure books. I dislike peas and being cold. I have a fox named Farren. If I’m not at my cottage, I spend most of my time with two of my closest friends who live not far from here.”

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