I still did not understand how I’d come to possess magic, but it was a part of who I was. Just as this new love I felt for the Elf King was a part of me. We’d both been cursed and forced to travel the land for the cure, but it was our love, the love between our two peoples, that was the cure all along.
Elden’s bright gold eyes met mine from across the room. He smiled widely at me. “The curse is broken. Time to go home.”
And for the first time, my mind went to the alabaster castle of Elkhaven at the word “home.”
But one glance at my face had Elden knitting his eyebrows together. He inspected me flopped out on the large red couch, exhaustion and excitement running through me in discordantwaves. “There is no rush. We must rest after all that has occurred.”
I must really look haggard. “I am only human.”
“Yes, and thank the stars for it.” Elden beamed.
The deep red couch was large enough to accommodate my entire family and Elden’s. Elden sat beside me on the fluffy furniture and sighed contentedly. He held the saucepan of potion that I made to cure his ailments, to cure the curse. But it hadn’t just been my magic, it’d been my love.
“Here, you must try your new concoction.” Elden held the pan of warmed chocolate out to me.
“But I am already healed.” I pulled back my stocking to expose my bright, clean leg. The scars of the shadow beast remained, but were faint, fading into thin white lines.
“Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this new delicacy.” Elden smiled. “It is divine.”
I tentatively took a sip. Nutty, warm, sweet and cozy. It traveled down my throat and into my stomach, spreading warmth and comfort through my entire body. It was absolutely incredible.
Delicious. Scrumptious.
My eyes flew wide, and I sat up on the edge of the couch. This flavor, this chocolate…What else could I make with these nibs? My mind filled with frostings and tarts and pies and cookies and breads. The possibilities had no end.
“Ah, I can already see your mind working. I think this one beverage could cure all manner of illnesses.”
Oh, that smile. I melted at the sight of Elden’s bright white teeth and side grin, my stomach twisting in all kinds of knots. We passed the saucepan of hot chocolate back and forth as we snuggled side by side. Elden laid his hand on mine, and I thrilled at his tentative touch as we stared at the mural on the wall, of the first Elf King and his human bride.
My stomach growled, and I wrinkled my nose. “I think I need a little more to eat than hot chocolate.”
“I as well.”
“Any idea where the kitchens are?”
“I have a little bit of an idea from my study of the map, but there’s an entire enchanted castle all around us. Would you care to explore it together?” Elden’s wide smile caused my heart to pound wildly. But he stood and held out a hand, which I took gratefully. He pulled me close to him, his breaths rumpling the brown curls about my forehead.
“Let’s go.” I blushed at the Elf King’s closeness. At the tension in the air. This was all so new, but all I wanted was to pull Elden to me and kiss him until I couldn’t remember my own name.
Elden smiled, his eyes twinkling, then tugged me along. We wandered around the ancient palace like giddy school children, reveling in the castle that was lit up like a Christmas tree with brilliant gemstones and polished floors. Every room immaculate, waiting to be enjoyed. So at odds with the oppressive dark of the palace before when all we had to light our way was the singular gemstone and the knowledge an ancient beast roamed these halls.
“It’s basic palace ownership,” Elden said when I mentioned how clean and dust-free everything was for it being left abandoned for centuries. “The first thing you do when you build a place like this is add several dozen enchantments.”
“Basic palace ownership?” I teased, gripping his strong arm.
“Oh yes.” Elden’s voice echoed through the vast hallways. “Well, there’s the dust free charm, and the magic to keep the floors constantly in a state of high polish, then there’s the glazing of windows and mirrors…”
Elden went on like that for several minutes while I gaped. “And it just…stays like this?”
“At least for six hundred years, give or take.” Elden squeezed my arm, and I just shook my head.
After several wrong turns in the lush, colorful palace, we came upon an immaculate kitchen. Gemstones glowed from golden pillars illuminating the spacious majesty of the work room. Gleaming cabinets, large stoves, immense sinks galore, though the pantries were empty of food. King Theronvere’s servants must have cleaned out the place when they were sent away.
It was a beautiful space, but empty. Quiet. Almost melancholy.
“The cakes and cookies I could bake in here.” I ran my hand along the side of the copper pots arraigned artfully.
Elden came up beside me and wrapped his large arm about my waist. “It would do my heart good to see this place bustling with life once again.”
