Relief flooded through me as well. As fun as it would have been to travel with Elden, I was grateful not to spend too many nights roaming the woods in the company of roving wolves. “Sounds lovely,” I smiled. “I, for one, can’t wait for a hot bath. Though I am a bit sad that we will not be seeing Scarlet, Tabitha and their families again. They were such a help to us.”
They’d welcomed us into their homes with warmth and kindness, sharing their food and traditions. Would I ever see them again? I tried to keep the burning from my eyes. All of this felt like some kind of goodbye, and I wasn’t ready to say it to this enchanting world.
Elden nodded, as if he, too, were saddened by the thought.
We gathered our things, cleaned up after the horses, then made our way to King Theronvere’s chamber. I offered a silent goodbye to the ethereal palace of Winterthorn, to Queen Elayna.Thank you for allowing me to thaw my heart, to grow a budding love here.
“And we just walk through?” I asked for the tenth time as I stood before the portal with Sapphire by my side.
Elden chuckled. “Yes, it is perfectly safe. But if it makes you feel any better, we can send the horses through first. Just like the Evergate, any who enter the portal must have the blessing from the king directly. And lucky for us, the king is pretty easy to find.”
I smiled, even though nerves danced along my stomach. We’d been on this sweeping adventure only having each other to lean on. With him returning to his kingly duties and mine as baker, would things between us remain the same once we were back in Elkhaven?
My heart squeezed. This was it. After I stepped through the portal, things would be different. New. What would my life look like on the other side? Would Elden go back to the cold leader he was before? Or would he stay the warm, loving elf I knew himto be? And how would Elden honor his promise of reuniting me with my mother and sister?
Elden held my hand as we stood with our horses before the portal. The heat of his hands warmed my entire body. I shivered, looking up into his beautiful golden eyes. Would I ever get used to the way he made me feel? Elden opened his mouth and wove an intricate elvish phrase through the air. I could almost see the golden words as he spoke them, melodic in nature, tinkling like tinsel, though his voice was a deep baritone. White sparks flashed at our clasped hands. My mouth popped open in awe at the exquisite beauty.
It brought to mind the moment before the Evergate as the king held my hand. He’d looked at me then, truly looked at me, and I felt as if he could see within my heart, no matter how I tried to protect it.
I’d hated him then, but now my heart sang with a knowing warmth. I loved him.
“You and your horse have been granted passage through,” Elden said, hands lingering on mine. “I will follow straight after.”
I raised my chin, gripping Sapphire’s reins, and stepped through. It was as if I were walking into a pool of water, but I remained dry. My clothes clung to my body as I was pinched and squeezed. My foot hit the floor, my ears popped, and I stepped out onto the other side—all in one long stride. I listed forward, almost falling on my face. Sapphire shook her mane and flared her nostrils, clearly as pleased by the strange sensation as I was. I coughed, though I had no reason to, then shook my body out, smoothing down my traveling clothes.
I was in an altogether different kind of bedchamber, this one belonging to Elden. I could tell by the forest green tapestries and cream linens, and from the embroidered stag antlers of Elkhaven to the curved mahogany furniture. Dozens of plants ingolden pots lined the walls and hung from the ceiling. Several rare plants I couldn’t name were labeled and protected inside cloches. It suited him.
Moments later, Elden followed, his hair flying in a wild white mane as he stepped through.
I smiled and took his hand, planning on planting a giant kiss on his smiling lips when a loud call sounded through his chambers.
“Majesty!”
Both Elden and I spun to see his bodyguard, the austere female Serrina, emerge from the well-lit hallway connecting his rooms to the outside chamber. She looked us over with an expert eye, searching for any signs of damage on the king. Probably hoping for some on me. I was happy not to oblige.
“Serrina.” Elden inclined his head. “I am pleased to see the wards are still up.”
“I was notified as soon as the portal was disturbed, majesty.” Serrina bowed, her blonde braids grazing the smooth stone floor. “I am relieved to see you. It has been a most eventful week.”
On that, we could agree.
“What news?” Elden asked openly.
Serrina eyed me with thinly veiled apprehension, then said to the king. “There are several matters I wish to discuss. One of urgency and one that requires delicacy. I wish to speak to you in private.”
Was this the moment I would be pushed aside? Would this be the end of our shared trials?
Our journey on the same path?
Elden turned to me, then kissed my hand. “Whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of Noelle.”
My heart flew at the trust. I nodded and smiled. My mother and father had shared everything. The burdens and the joys. I was grateful that Elden felt the same way as me.
Serrina inclined her head, but spoke, “I regret to inform you that your father has passed beyond this world.”
Elden flinched, and I pulled him close to me, offering whatever paltry comfort I could with my arm about his waist.
Serrina continued, “Prince Aldaar had found his way into the chamber where we kept your father and?—”
