Chapter Twenty-One
“YOU’RE STARING,” SAID Kade, not even looking up.
Killian was leaning in the doorway to the lesson room. He had a perfect view of Kade from the back. Despite the color, the apprentice robes fit Kade well, the way that they stretched over his broad shoulders and sinfully hugged his tapered waist.
It was lucky for Killian that Kade had the apprentice station closest to the door, though the younger elf often complained about it. He liked watching Kade work, and would sometimes pop in for a few minutes while on patrol to check in. Treat himself to the view.
Kade hated it, said it was embarrassing. That the others already gave him shit for having such an overbearing older brother without this added element. His entire face flamed adorably every time he saw Killian lingering in the doorway, but there was always a secret smile on his face.
Hokda hated it too, for different reasons, but Killian didn’t give a shit about that.
There were still times that Killian began to doubt that Kade was really there and not still back in Turell, like all these months had been a dream or a trick of the mind.
In those moments, he was compelled to make the trek across the palace filled with a burning need to see Kade with his own eyes. He couldn’t relax any other way.
“So?”
“Stop.” Kade added what looked like dried beetles to the herbs he was grinding.
Killian shivered. Disgusted.
“Why?” Killian asked. “I’m not bothering you. Just pretend I’m not here. I’ll be quiet. I promise.”
Kade frowned. “I can’t focus with you watching me.”
Killian grinned. “Do I distract you?”
The grinding stone hit the table with a dull thud, abandoned as Kade turned around. “What do you want, Killi?”
Killian raised his hands. Alright. “I thought today was your day off.”
“It is.”
“Why are you here?” Killian gestured around the lesson room. It was still early, barely midmorning, but it was clear that Kade had been there for hours.
Kade shrugged. “You’re working today. Where else would I be?”
That delighted Killian. It shouldn’t, the idea that Kade would base his schedule around Killian’s should be sad and depressing. Didn’t Kade have friends? Instead, it warmed him immeasurably. Selfishly, he wanted to hoard all of Kade’s time and attention.
“Well, you’re in luck,” Killian said, propping his arm on Kade’s shoulder. He lowered his voice to a whisper. “I have an errand to run in the city and you’re coming with me.”
Kade’s eyes bugged. “Today?”
Killian nodded.
“Now?”
Killian nodded again.
Kade’s smile looked like it would split his face. He grabbed Killian’s wrist and started tugging him towards the door, his project completely forgotten. “Let’s go then. Come on.”
“No.” Killian pulled them to a stop. “Go change first. I’m not being seen with you in that.”
“You’re such a snob,” Kade laughed. Then, he turned and ran out of the room to do as Killian said.
When they’d made it outside the palace gates, and were walking the short road from the palace to the city limits, it finally occurred to Kade to ask, “What exactly is this errand you need to run?”
“It’s nothing exciting. I just need to pick up some of the king’s favorite tea cakes. The vendors are only in the city occasionally and they just arrived for the festival.”
Kade kicked a rock. “So you’re the king’s errand boy now?” His voice was teasing, but it held a bitter edge to it.
It was a slippery slope, one they had slid down many times since Kade had arrived. Kade’s distaste for Fyar was as strong—if not stronger—than ever. It made it hard for them sometimes, considering how big a part Fyar played in Killian’s day-to-day life.
Killian refused to avoid the subject, Fyar was his friend and his confidant and his king, and he wouldn’t pretend otherwise. He could only hope Kade would warm to Fyar someday, even if it took centuries. They had time.
“I am whatever the king asks me to be.”
Kade scowled, his mood tanking.
Killian threw an arm around Kade’s shoulders and pulled him close. “Lighten up! Today is for fun!”
The streets of Ingara were bustling with life, merchants from every corner of Netyere and beyond had traveled hundreds of miles to be there. To cash in on the opportunity of a lifetime. One month and thousands new customers. Who could resist?
A week in, the festivities were in full swing, drinks flowed endlessly, music drifted through the air, and elves danced in the square.
Wagons and carts and tents packed every spare inch of the city limits, each filled to the brim with bright colors and exotic goods, trinkets and treats from lands far away. Vendors shouted and waved, inviting curious customers into their stalls.
Far in the distance, along the outskirts of the city, were lines of massive floats, with dancers high in the rafters swinging gracefully like angels.
Even from where Killian stood, he could see the elaborate costumes and the trailing fabrics of red and orange and gold the performers and their creatures wore.
Each float seemed to be illuminated by their own personal sun, lanterns of multicolored lights drifted around them, casting the perfect spotlight for the acts.
Kade had come to a grinding halt once the massive crowd had come into view, his jaw slack with awe.
Killian had nearly run into him, almost toppling them both over.
Pressing closely to Kade’s back, Killian’s arm snuck around to press against the center of Kade’s chest. He could feel every breath and beat of the younger elf’s heart. “Not good with crowds?”
“I’ve never seen this many elves in one place before,” said Kade, breathless.
“No one in Netyere can pass up a good party. Overwhelming, isn’t it?”
Kade nodded. He looked frazzled.
Having been thrown into this life as well, Killian understood what a big adjustment it was. Turell was barely a blip compared to Ingara on a good day, and this was an entirely different beast.
Killian was glad that he could be Kade’s guide. That he hadn’t had to miss this because he was stuck at work.
“Stay close to me,” Killian whispered in Kade’s ear.
Kade turned his head to meet Killian’s eyes. “Always.”
Grinning, Killian caught Kade’s hand and led them into the masses.
They picked their way through slowly, stopping at every stall that caught Kade’s eye.
Killian was free with his coin, gladly ridding himself of it in exchange for everything Kade picked up.
The small collection of items Kade was carrying had begun to grow, as did the spark in his eyes with every bundle of herbs or trinket he gathered.
Killian filled his own bag with treats, savory snacks and desserts and drinks. For later.
After they had spent hours in the markets, Killian broke the moment. “My errand.” Kade’s smile wavered. “The vendors are close. It’ll just take a moment.”
“You go. I’ll stay here.”
Killian hesitated. He wasn’t sure that was such a good idea. It was so easy to get swept away in the crowd..
Seeing Killian’s dilemma, Kade rolled his eyes and shoved him away. “I’ll be fine! I’m not a child.”
“Stay on this block, Kade. I mean it.”
Kade groaned. “Gods, just go.” Killian made it two steps before Kade threw himself after him. “Wait! Give me some gold before you go.”
“Greedy.” Killian liked it.
Kade was in heaven. There was so much to see, so many new scents and sounds. Elves and humans and dwarves mulled together in ways he’d never seen before.
The music grew louder the more he wandered towards the heart of the square.
He couldn’t quite place the tunes, but they sounded familiar somehow.
Perhaps he’d heard them in Sila’s tavern when wandering bards would often pass through Turell on their way further south, singing of their travels and their adventures.
Drawn to the shops of trinkets pushed to the sides and down alleyways, some no more than a mat strewn on the ground, Kade stopped when he saw specks of gold out of the corner of his eye.
Magic.
En.
“You have good taste,” the young merchant elf said when Kade knelt to get a closer look at what he was selling.
There was a drawl to the way he talked, a subtle slurring of his vowels.
The boy wore a beaded shawl and matching headband, the patterns much like the ones that were braided into the charms that he was selling.
He had sharp features, his jaw and nose were both long and pointed, with big golden eyes.
His ears were longer than the elves of Netyere, they stuck out, nearly reaching the back of his skull. “A good eye.”
“Where are these from? They don’t look like they’re from Netyere.” Kade picked up a charm, it had orange and black beads woven into the leather braiding. He could feel the magic coming off of it in waves.
“They’re not,” the boy said proudly. “They’re from Valle. Blessed charms from the priestesses at the temple of the goddess Sorena.”
Valle, the human kingdom that shared Netyere’s border. There once was a long standing peace between the kingdoms, a bond built on trade and longstanding respect. It wasn’t unheard of for elves to leave Netyere in favor of settling in Valle.
King Numar’s war had ended that.
The relationship, though strained, was healing. The current kings building and repairing the bonds that were lost, though Vallean goods were still rare within Netyere’s borders.
The boy continued to speak. “Each has it’s own purpose.
They will attract blessing and goodwill.
Luck and victory. There is one if you need help in academics, another for good health.
This one is for luck in love.” He paused, then pointed to the one in Kade’s hands, and smirked.
“That one is for blessings in fertility. Are you trying for a little one?”
“No.” Kade dropped the charm like it was a hot piece of coal. His eyes traced over the other charms, catching on one in particular.
The boy noticed. “Ah. You’re in love then. Ellewe can see it now. Ellewe knows.”
What an odd way of speaking.
Blushing, Kade grumbled, “It’s complicated.”
“Is it complicated or are you making it complicated?”
“It’s complicated.” Kade sighed. “He makes everything complicated. It can never be easy for us, can it? Too in his head, the fucking coward.”
Ellewe hummed. Then, unceremoniously shoved the pink and red love charm into Kade’s hands and waggled his eyebrows. “Don’t worry. The goddess Sorena helps even the stupidest elves. I’m sure she can do something for you. You can feel her magic, can’t you? It calls to you.”
It did. Even thinking of walking away without the charm felt wrong. Which was dumb. It was only a charm. There wasn’t enough luck in the world to help Kade. Not with this.
Though if he were being honest, it wasn’t only Killi who was the coward. Kade certainly had his moments.
As if he could sense that Kade was having a hard time letting go, Ellewe gave one final push. “It can bring you courage in your complicated love.”
Wordlessly, Kade dug into the pouch of coins that Killi had left.
Taking it and slipping it under his shawl, Ellewe leaned forward. “You know. If you buy the fertility charm too, you’ll be all set for after the goddess blesses your love.”
Kade blinked. “That’s not necessary.”
Ellewe shrugged, then gave him a mischievous smile. “Then, I wish you luck with your coward.”
Pushing to his feet, Kade chuckled. He felt strangely happy after meeting the weird little elf, like maybe things actually could work out for him. That he wasn’t doomed.
Kade was raising a hand to bid farewell to Ellewe when cold fingers wrapped around his wrist. He let out a pained gasp as sharp, talon like nails sank into his skin, drawing blood.
Whipping around, Kade came face to face with a…human? No, that wasn’t right. It was an elf. Her age showed on her form; long gray hair hung limp and matted around a face weighed down with wrinkles, large unseeing eyes bore into him. Her gift of slowed aging having been stripped from her.
A cursed one.
Kade’s skin crawled just being near her. “Let go of me.”
“You must not listen,” she hissed, her voice gravelly and grave. “Beware the man in the west. He will lead you to ruin. You must not listen.”
Flinching, Kade stepped back when she tried to get even closer, her rancid breath fanned over his face. She rambled on, saying the same thing over and over and over again. Her voice desperate, and her grip inescapable. “Beware. You must not listen.”
Teetering, she released him and began stumbling her way down a dark alley beside them. The shadows quickly swallowed her retreating form.
Kade’s ears rang. His blood was pumping. He was cold with fear. He’d never seen a cursed one in person before. An elf who the gods had turned their backs on.
He held his wrist to his chest, red welts had risen where she had touched him. Gulping down huge lungfuls of air, he tried and failed to calm down.
There was a shift in the air around him, someone was approaching. He jerked, ripping away from the one who took his arm, expecting the cold flesh of the cursed again.
Instead, he was met with the familiar onyx eyes that had always been home.
“Killi.” Without waiting for a response, Kade melted into outstretched arms. Dropping his forehead onto Killi’s shoulder and nuzzling into his neck. Fingers threaded through his hair, and down his back as Killi shushed him. Comforted him.
Ellewe clicked his tongue. “Doesn’t look so complicated to me.”