Chapter 45
IZADELLA
I’m eager to return home, so Leon finally leads me back to the Kalvorn throne room once more.
Confused, I ask, “Why is there a tree in the middle of the floor?” It couldn’t have been there intentionally as the beautiful green flooring lies in shattered pieces scattered around the thick trunk.
The delicate leaves are a soft lavender hue that reminds me of Nueena, and my heart twists with longing to be reunited.
Leon’s amusement floods me. “That was Nueena’s doing.”
“What? Nueena was here?”
His laughter fades and a darkness replaces it. “When you were taken, she came looking for you here. She had seen you leave and thought you went after me.”
I stop him in front of the mighty tree, a monument to Nueena’s loyalty. “Everett had a servant girl from Adreania with hair like mine pretend to be me. He intentionally made it seem like I left with you so Nueena wouldn’t try and find me.”
Leon’s answering smile is amused. “I guess he didn't understand Nueena very well after a century of knowing her.” He stands very tall and attempts to sound like her. “Don’t play dumb with me, Your Majesty. I know Della is here. Now go get her and tell her she belongs with us in Ellova. She can come willingly, or I can sling her over my shoulder, but either way I’m not leaving without her. ”
Tears well up in my eyes, and when one falls, Leon is quick to wipe it away.
She came for me, after everything. Gratitude for her overwhelms me and he draws me into his arms. “I was so scared she was going to find out I was taken and try to retrieve me. I knew she would have. I know she is the most powerful fae in Ellova, but none of that matters in Adreania where we can’t use our magic.
I couldn’t be responsible for her death. ”
Leon cups the back of my head. “I’ll let her tell you the whole story, but I thought she was going to burn down Adreania when she found out you were taken. Let’s return to Ellova. There are many who wish to see you whole and well before them.”
I nod, pulling him into the thick, hollowed-out tree. One of his hands slips into mine, the other on the bark. His power connects with it and the traveling portal magic swirls around us. It only takes a few moments before bright light pours in.
Leon’s hand tightens in mine, his apprehension rising. As eager as I am to run into the palace, I need him to be at peace. “You have every right to be in Ellova.” I never told him about Nyvenah’s gift.
“When Nueena came to Kalvorn looking for you, I returned with her. It was…” He searches for the word. “…tense."
I imagine it would have been. Loyalty runs through my friends like their own blood. “Leon, they saw me die, and you brought me back to life. They all would have lost me if it weren’t for you. No matter their opinions of you before, you are my Zemra, and all will be forgiven.”
“Even by Lillian?”
Laughter rolls out of me. “Well. Almost all of them will be forgiving.” His answering smile warms my chest. "Actually, you do have every right to return to Ellova with me. Nyvenah had you recognized as a citizen of Ellova and an honored member of the Ellovian High Court. I have the scroll back in my rooms.”
He is taken aback. “You didn’t tell me?”
Hurt drips into the bond and I’m swift to answer, “I know. I am sorry. I was just trying to protect my heart, but we know how that turned out.” I let out a little laugh.
He scowls at my jest but nods. “That I can understand. Becoming your Zemra and an Ellovian in one day. What a wonderful privilege.” He leans down to kiss me quickly. Sensing my eagerness to see my friends, he takes my hand, and I follow him into the moonlight.
The expansive courtyard garden just outside the Ellovian throne room is hidden in the soft evening shadows, the blooms closed ’til dawn.
One honeyguard rushes inside as we approach.
Her fellow guards greet us warmly, opening the large doors at my return.
The long room is brightly lit with rows of encased crystals and columns wrapped in vines along the walls, fully decorated with banners and flower garlands for the coronation tomorrow.
Nyvenah sits at the driftwood table just before her throne. The navlue flowers are about to fully bloom, the plump fruit hanging low on its branches.
The woman who raised me gives us a kind smile as she stands. “Before you run off with my dewling again, Leon, since you did not knowingly break the Zemra law, I will not punish you for it.”
I smirk at him as the trepidation lingering within him fades and he lets go of my hand.
“Nueena has filled me in on the events of the past few days.” Nyvenah holds out her arms to me, eyes glossy. “Welcome home.”
I rush into her embrace, clinging to her. “Is Nueena okay?” I am desperate to be reassured of my friends’ well-being.
“More than okay. She has much to tell you.” Nyvenah pulls back to search my face, hand on my cheek, and I find sorrow on hers. “Did they hurt you? I never thought Everett would betray us like that.”
I lean into her touch. “I’m all right now. Grateful he is dead. Is she ready for tomorrow?”
“Yes. Waiting for you, of course, but everything will be perfect for the coronation,” Nyvenah says, pride in her voice.
We exit the throne room and follow her down a long, well-lit hallway and up to the royal west wing.
With every step closer, I grow more and more excited, running the last few steps to the doors that open at my arrival.
In a rush of movement, Viella launches herself at me, crying.
Leon is instantly at my back, so I don’t get pushed over and take her down with me.
“Della! Ellova’s grave! You had swords sticking out of you! It's going to haunt my dreams.” Her face is tear-streaked when she pulls away to assure herself I’m uninjured.
Lillian comes up behind her. “We really need to work on your defense in combat. The swords are meant to stay out of our bodies.”
I laugh, knowing that is her way of saying she was worried about me. “Thank you, both of you, for coming after me. I am forever indebted to you.”
Viella waves her hand. “What are friends for if not to run into danger to save your ass?” she says with a sniffle.
A gasp cuts through the air.
Nueena is there in her doorway, a jarring guttural sob breaking from her.
She holds Farren, who whines when he sees me.
We bolt towards each other. My chest tightens painfully and I’m crying uncontrollably, too, as I reach for her and my precious fox.
She hauls me to her, Farren snug between us, licking my face.
She looks regal with the crown glittering on her head and a matching golden gown.
I kiss her cheeks as she laughs. “I thought you were dead!”
“Well, it wasn’t a lack of effort on Grayden’s part, but I’m here now.” I pull them both tighter against me.
When we finally do pull apart, she turns her anguished expression towards Leon. She opens one arm, welcoming him to join our teary reunion. He leans into us, his lips brushing the top of my head in a gentle kiss.
I stand between them as they hold me, safe in Ellova, soothed by Farren’s soft purrs, and the last week washes away in a cascade of emotions, the fear and anguish flushing out of my soul, Leon ever-present within me.
“That bastard stabbed you,” Nueena whispers into my ear.
“Death will need to wait a little longer now. Fate has blessed me with a Zemra who possesses healing magic.”
She rears back in delight. “Let me see your stone!”
We separate so I can reveal my exquisite glowing emerald.
Nueena turns hopeful eyes on Leon. “What of your enervation death?” she whispers to him.
His smile to her is as bright as morning sunshine. “She has both my magic and our shared powers, so she used it to heal me completely. Her lifetime is tied with mine now, so she will not part from you until I do.”
Nueena makes a noise that’s half laughter, half sob, a warm, broken sound, as she squeezes me against her.
I am no longer bound by a half-mortal life.
A fae lifespan with Leon at my side.
I have a lifetime ahead of me with my Zemra and the family I forged. To see Nueena rule Ellova for centuries.
My legs give out but they both catch me easily and we all sink to the floor as one. The warmth of pure happiness radiates within me, dancing with Leon’s own happiness.
Thundering footsteps race down the hallway into the room.
Tavien slides on the floor to us, wrapping his arms around the three of us. “Excellent work not dying, Del!”
“We have Leon to thank for that,” I say, smushed between them.
When we all finally stand up again, I present my emerald to him. Tavien shouts with joy, extracting me from our Zemra, my feet leaving the ground in a crushing hug.
“Welcome to the family,” he exclaims to Leon. The two of them embrace like brothers with hardy pats on the backs.
Soft arms slide around my waist; a head pressed to my back. For a moment, I think it’s Viella, but red hair is the first thing I see.
Cyanna.
She weeps while I hold her. My sweet, sweet cousin. “Della, I’m so sorry I went back. Kalvorn was just so wonderful. It just broke my heart knowing I could bring more children to Leon’s estate. I had no idea about the elixir or that Princess Erenia would help those in Beggars’ Row escape.”
I would never expect anything less out of her heart. Of course she would go back, thinking death still had its clutches on the Row, leaving new orphans in its wake. How could she possibly know we were working to save them with the elixir?
The past few days have been horrible. I need her to know how terrible I feel, too. “I’m sorry you were so mistreated in Adreania and they used you against me.”
We stay like that for a while, gently swaying. The memories of her trapped in the castle with me are a knife to my gut.
She finally pulls back, stepping away from me, wiping tears from her eyes. “Seeing Leon kill Grayden was worth it, though, and the crown choosing Nueena was spectacular.”
I turn back to Nueena. “Are you okay?”