Chapter Five
Ellie
Ellie sprinted across the open rocky terrain, the wind whipping her hair across her face. She breathed in the crisp scent of the ocean in the distance and smirked in delight as she leapt over rocks and ducked under stray branches, diving into a thinly wooded area.
Sure, she was late, but given the staggering number of tasks she was assigned on a daily basis, it couldn’t really be helped. He knew the council members were far too long-winded anyway, not that they didn’t have a reason to be these days.
Ellie smiled again. Days. They had days, weeks, months. An infinite amount of time to finally just exist in this spectacular world.
The trees faded slowly, opening into a wide open plain. Ellie paused, breath heaving as she looked out over the expanse, searching for—
Kirian.
The half-breed she’d fallen for sat atop a large boulder, back straight, staring out over the sea of tall grass. He appeared far too pensive for her liking, but that wasn’t something that could be helped, either. They were all taking things one day at a time.
Ellie searched the rest of the field. Her father’s guards were here somewhere. No one was allowed this far from Levea without an escort, especially her.
The wind must be in their favor today. She couldn’t scent them.
She was thankful they’d agreed to keep their distance, just to give her and Kirian some much-needed privacy.
She didn’t need a group of Fae at her father’s command rushing back to tell their High Lord everything his daughter said and did.
Especially when it concerned a half-breed her father didn’t approve of.
Ellie placed a finger over her lips; then again, maybe it would be best to remind said guards they’d be serving her one day.
She could use the advantage to keep her personal life private.
Ellie sighed. She’d practically had to beg to come here today. It was only after whining about being trapped in her own city that her father had finally relented, under the condition that Arianna and Rion accompanied her, of course.
She scanned the forest again. They should be arriving anytime now. She was thankful they’d agreed to come, too. They had their own trials and a relationship they were rebuilding after the atrocities they’d overcome.
Shadows of the war danced through her mind, but Ellie shoved them away. She’d already given herself a pep talk. Not today. Whatever haunted her could wait a full twenty-four hours before plaguing her again.
Right now, they were alive.
Right now, they were free.
Ellie leapt from the trees, the fresh grass bending beneath her feet as she crossed the vast space toward the one male who knew her better than anyone else. Well, aside from her sister, that was. Sisters held secrets no one else could ever carry.
She plopped down beside the male, her breath pleasantly ragged as she held up a bag in triumph. “I know, I know, I’m late. The council was a pain, as usual, but at least I didn’t forget this!”
Kirian didn’t move.
Her smile faltered for half a second before Ellie recovered and began rustling through the bag.
She couldn’t expect everyone to be able to keep the darkness at bay.
Rion said she possessed an uncanny ability for positivity and that the others fed on it.
If her light was what they needed, then she’d shine for them all, for however long it took.
Ellie fished a pair of sandwiches from the bag, laying hers beside her hip before reaching to place the other before Kirian. She pulled a set of pastries out next, then two loaves of freshly baked bread.
She’d made the sandwiches herself, something that Kirian usually did. She’d wanted to take the initiative this time. He was always the one surprising her. Since baking wasn’t in her skill set, she’d simply snatched the other items from the kitchen.
Her heart beat just a little faster as she stared at the small gift wrapped at the bottom of the bag. She’d purchased it in Ruadhán, but she’d never worked up the courage to give it to him. Right now seemed as good a time as any.
It was a promise that she’d be his forever once they were old enough to talk about forever.
She recalled all the males she’d seen get down on one knee, but somehow, she wanted to be the one to do it.
She was a future High Lady. She wanted Kirian to know how much he meant to her and that status held no place in her heart. She’d love whoever she wished to love.
Instead of reaching for it, Ellie wrapped the bag up and placed it on her other side where Kirian wouldn’t be able to reach it.
“So, since the council has me constantly doing things these days, I wondered if you’d like a desk beside mine.
We’d be working, but at least we’d be able to spend some time together.
Maybe then you could use that brain of yours to help me sort through all the crazy piling up on me.
The gossip between the council members is outstanding, by the way. ”
Her father was taking her future role very seriously. If they hadn’t all just fought for their lives, she might have resented such things. But her father was tired, even if he wouldn’t admit it. She’d do her part to take some pressure off his shoulders.
School wouldn’t resume for a few months. Shelter and food were still their primary focus; that and rebuilding and learning to work with their neighboring nations. Arianna and Rion had taken their rightful places as monarchs. The world was changing fast.
She glanced up at Kirian when he didn’t respond. He still hadn’t moved. Wind blew through his copper hair, the slight curls brushing against the shell of his ear. His very human-looking ear. She wouldn’t dwell on what that meant, either.
“Kirian?” She tried, hoping to pull him from his reverie. He wasn’t normally so stoic.
When he still didn’t respond, Ellie moved their sandwiches to the side and scooted closer. Her voice lowered to a near whisper. “Kirian?”
“I love you.” Her heart skipped at his tone. The way he said those words—emotion swelled through her chest.
It sounded too much like a goodbye.
Ellie swallowed the lump in her throat, fighting to keep her voice steady. “No need to get sentimental on me.” She took his hand and jolted at how cold it felt. Nearly lifeless. “We’re fine now. Everything is over.”
“I love you.” That same tone echoed through her again, spearing through her chest, pouring salt in a wound she hadn’t even realized was there. Her hands began shaking. Her voice, too.
Ellie took him by his shoulders and forced him to face her. “Kirian—”
His eyes locked with hers and breath left her body. “I love you,” he repeated, his breath ragged. “And when you wake from this nightmare,” his body jerked. “Know that I forgive you.”
Tears filled her eyes as he leaned forward, lips ready to brush hers in a kiss that never made it. His head hit her chest, then darkness engulfed her world.