Chapter 28
Elise heard the Duke of Dornheim was back.
Her pulse quickened at the mere thought that she might see Kurt again. As she passed the potion tables, she noticed several fairies looking her way while murmurs about the duke traveled from one person to another.
Even Emery seemed interested as he approached while she waited for Fabian to give her instructions for the day.
“Are you excited to see him again?”
By now, the fairy knew a good deal about what had transpired between her and Kurt. Elise had already explained that she was quite taken with the duke’s charms, although with the recent rumors surrounding them, she wished not to encourage any further gossip if she could help it.
“I really don’t want to have any more problems here,” was all Elise said.
“Well, the problems seem to have found you without you enjoying any of the romance,” Emery said as he walked by with a playful smile.
Elise shook her head as she smiled back at him.
She waited a few moments longer for Fabian. The more time she spent thinking about Kurt, the faster her heart raced. It was becoming difficult to stay still when the desire to see him increased by the minute.
The matter of the rumors did not trouble her nearly as much as the question about Seth. For that she still needed to figure out what to say about the demon should Kurt ask again.
While Elise’s mind wavered between fantasies of Kurt and fearful thoughts of Seth, she spotted a pair of outrageous red leggings approaching.
She did not know whether Fabian owned hundreds of the same blasphemous design to wear every God-fearing day, or merely washed the same pair every night, but for everyone’s sake, she very much hoped it was the former.
“Elise!” Fabian called out in a nasal voice that immediately prepared her for trouble.
She swallowed hard. “Morning, Fabian.”
The fairy didn’t engage in any pleasantries. “The king wants a word with you,” he said dryly.
A collective gasp and hushed voices followed Fabian’s words. Everyone worked a hair slower, as if hoping to hear more on the matter. But to everyone’s disappointment, Fabian offered no further explanation.
“Are you deaf, darling?” he huffed. “Go, go, go!”
Elise glanced in Emery’s direction and found her friend looking as though he had just witnessed a miracle.
If Elise had not known this was related to Morgaine’s love affairs, she might have felt a measure of excitement herself. But knowing full well what the king wanted, she set off for the royal chambers with her head low and her spirits lower yet.
Outside the catacombs, Elise found a guard who escorted her to the king. She rehearsed what Morgaine had told her and hoped for the best.
They climbed several flights of stairs until they reached a high part of the keep. The halls grew more lavish with every step, gold shimmering from every direction.
By the time they reached the royal chambers, Elise found herself wondering just how much wealth would be required to decorate an entire palace in such a fashion.
“Elise,” the king called with a smile. He was seated high upon his golden throne and seemed completely at ease.
Elise bowed at once, and the monarch dismissed the guard with a wave of his hand.
She had worried the king might mistreat her for being associated with the very woman who had broken his heart, but the man seemed completely different from last night.
Elise was about to discover that when one possessed a face and figure like hers, life around powerful men could become a truly magical place.
“Elise,” he repeated. “Allow me first to apologize for my temper last night. I was so consumed by memories of Morgaine that I lost my senses.”
“There is really no need to apologize, Your Majesty,” Elise said truthfully.
“You are too kind,” the king said warmly.
Then, as though stirred by the memories returning to him, his voice took on a note of passion.
“You do not know what I have done trying to find Morgaine.” He swallowed hard.
Elise lowered her head.
The king continued, “A few years ago, she was spotted in town, and a guard told her I wished to see her, but she never came. I even sent men to knock on every door in Metz in the hope of discovering where she lived.”
Elise pressed her lips together, knowing the king was not going to be pleased by what she had to say.
“She doesn’t live in Metz, Your Majesty.”
The king moved closer to the edge of his seat, and a small smile began to form on his handsome lips.
He was a comely man after all, and Elise could easily see why Morgaine had been interested.
A shadow of beard framed the king’s exquisite jawline.
His dark eyes carried an authority that could undo even the most steadfast soul.
“Where is she?” he asked, concern creeping into his voice.
Elise hesitated. She was not keen on telling lies, especially to the man she served.
“I spoke with her last night, but you must know...she does not wish to rekindle your romance,” she said regretfully.
A flicker of pain crossed the king’s face as he leaned back.
“But is she well?” he asked.
“She is,” Elise replied. “In fact, she is in terrific shape. The years have not diminished her beauty. Other men before you have mistaken us for the same person.”
The king nodded, visibly relieved to hear that Morgaine was faring well. Elise could tell he was an honorable man. The news had hurt him, but he kept his composure.
Elise continued. “If it helps at all, it seems to me that she remembers your time together with the utmost fondness, Your Highness.”
“Sebastian. Call me Sebastian,” he said with a small smile.
Elise nodded. “Thank you.”
“I have heard about you, you know,” Sebastian said.
She gasped, suspecting Fabian’s complaints had already made their way to the royal chambers.
“You are the famous witch from Falaine, aren’t you?”
Elise nodded, thinking of using the opportunity to clarify whatever gossip the fairy might have brought to the king, but Sebastian was quicker to continue, likely noticing the worry on her face.
“Kurt told me about you. He was quite interested in seeing you take a post at the workshop.”
Elise felt she might faint at the mention of the duke. Her heart swelled at the thought of Kurt trying to help her join the fairies. A sudden desire to see him completely overtook her.
The king, apparently noticing Elise’s interest, added, “He’s one of the most honorable men in my court. As a matter of fact, I owe him my life. He’s a force of nature with the sword.”
“Is he?”
“He’s a good friend too,” the king said. “And above all, he protects those he cares about.” He paused. “Though that already proved dangerous for him in the past.”
“What do you mean?” Elise asked, perhaps letting her curiosity show a little too much.
The king hesitated. “He’ll tell you one day.”
Elise listened earnestly and didn’t inquire further. It was the king who steered the conversation elsewhere.
“I have yet to ask you. How is the new employment? I would hate to hear they are treating you poorly.”
This time, Elise did not know what to say. She didn’t wish to complain about Fabian, but she also knew that the worst thing to do in the face of evil was nothing at all, and the fairy was an evil that afflicted more than a few in the workshop.
“Fabian can be harsh. Though I was told he is like that with new workers. I believe he sees the workshop as his own kingdom,” Elise said.
“Had I known he intended to have me fetching things instead of brewing potions, I would have lowered my expectations beforehand. At least I’m thankful he didn’t follow through on his threat of having me clean the latrines. ”
The more Elise spoke about the fairy, the more horrified the king appeared.
“Who is Fabian? I thought Susanne was in charge of things down there.”
Elise went on to explain that Susanne had indeed been a blessing and that it was only because of her that she was currently working at the workshop.
“You would surely recognize Fabian by the red leggings he is so fond of wearing,” Elise replied after being asked once more who in heaven’s name was the man who sounded more deranged with every detail she provided.
The king promised to look into the matter. Elise repeatedly assured him that everything was fine, but he insisted.
Elise thanked him once more and thought the topic of Morgaine had been completely dismissed. That was until the time came for her to leave.
“Please do not tell anyone about me and Morgaine, Elise,” Sebastian said. “I am not ashamed of how matters ended between us. I simply still hope that one day they might take a different turn.”
Elise’s heart warmed at the candor of the king’s words. There was no doubt the man was still quite taken with the witch.
“My lips are sealed on that matter, Your Majesty...I mean, Sebastian.”
*****
After the meeting with the king, Elise felt as though the world were bending itself to suit her deepest wishes. Not only had she escaped punishment for being Morgaine’s ward, but it seemed her life at the workshop was about to improve.
Everything Sebastian had said about Kurt echoed in her mind. There was so much she wanted to know about him. She couldn’t help but hope to see him again.
Then, as though she had tossed a coin into a wishing well, her wish appeared before her, striding down the hall and drawing closer with every step.
It was Kurt advancing with the determination of a general.
Elise felt her heart swell. Her grin widened as she waited for him. He looked even more handsome than she remembered.
“Kurt,” she whispered.
He stopped before her, and all Elise wanted was to touch him again. That romantic notion, however, did not survive long. The duke’s expression quickly suggested he was living in an entirely different reality.
“Morning,” he said as he walked past her.
Confusion filled Elise as she watched him go. “Wait!”
Kurt turned, and for a brief moment she felt a measure of hope as his gaze softened when it met hers.
“I’ve been waiting to see you,” she whispered.
The duke swallowed hard but his expression remained cold. “What for?”
“I wanted to apologize for running away the other day,” she began. “It’s just that I…”
She drew a deep breath.
Kurt’s lips tightened. He merely hummed and stood still, his blue eyes fixed on the distance.
Elise couldn’t tell what was happening. She stood there confused for a moment.
“Are you going to see Sebastian?” she managed.
“Sebastian?” Kurt raised a brow. “So the two of you are well-acquainted.”
Elise smiled. “I only met him yesterday, but he has been most welcoming.”
Kurt nodded with a grimace.
“I bet.”
Elise was utterly confused, but she assumed Kurt’s mood had something to do with the war and his duties in the army. Somehow disappointed by his reception but happy to see him nonetheless, she made one more attempt at conversation.
“I’m glad to see you returned unharmed. Is the war going to continue for much longer?”
He gave a slow nod, his expression no less sour.
“It appears so.”
Elise lowered her head. “I have been wondering about the state of the lands along the border.”
Kurt hesitated. “Things are escalating. That territory already saw the worst of it. Some of the cities were destroyed and others were taken: Lainn, Versally, Noldrin—”
“Noldrin?” Elise gasped. “But that’s where I’m from.”
That remark finally seemed to earn Kurt’s full attention.
“The city fell some time ago,” he said quietly. “Our troops are preparing to march beyond it.”
Elise’s spirits sank at once.
“Are you well?” he asked.
“It is not news I wished to hear,” she said, fighting to keep her composure.
The duke, perhaps noticing the sudden decline in Elise’s spirits, finally softened. For the first time, he looked at her with genuine sympathy.
“It must have been difficult to leave everything you knew behind.”
Elise dipped her head.
If only Kurt knew there wasn’t much worth missing.
“In truth, Noldrin has a special place in my heart, but there’s little for me to miss.
The only people who ever showed me any kindness turned out to be the ones who hurt me the most.” She swallowed hard.
The last thing she wished to do was dwell on Edward or Lady Patrice.
Thankfully, Kurt seemed to notice her distress and gave her an excuse to clear her mind.
“I hope at least you are enjoying your time with the fairies.”
His words reminded Elise of another evil: the rumor about them, and she felt the need to warn him in case he was unaware of the gossip.
“I do not know if you heard, but I was assigned a room in the castle. Fabian seemed to think it was your doing.”
“I can assure him that was not the case,” Kurt said at once.
“I would appreciate the gesture,” Elise sighed. “I had better go before Fabian finds something else to complain about.”
Kurt gave a slight bow, and their eyes met once more.
For a brief moment, some warmth passed between them, and Elise knew her hopes had not been entirely imagined.
“Goodbye, Kurt.”
“Goodbye, Elise.”