“Are not ashamed.” Elowyn finishes the familiar phrase with a smile. “I know. I am who I am, and who I am is enough.”
Mother pulls her close, her embrace firmer than Elowyn has ever experienced it. It’s comforting.
Soon, Pera strides toward them, and Mother lets her go as he wraps his own arms around Elowyn. Few words are exchanged. Few words are needed.
“I love you,” Elowyn whispers.
“And I you, my elfling.”
Arisanna emerges from Cerian’s chamber in her own clothing, and Cerian gathers his belongings.
Rominy steps to Elowyn’s side, compassion in his eyes as he turns to Elowyn’s parents. “We’ll walk you to the station.”
To Elowyn’s surprise, Rominy offers her his hand as they make their way out of the castle, and she clings to it.
Soon, he’ll be her only lifeline in her new home.
It’s All Gibberish
Episode 19
Onceagain,Cerianeyesthe locomotive with disdain. He’ll have to get used to it eventually, but today is not that day.
Arisanna stands near her parents and brother, saying her final goodbyes. Her one bag has been packed and loaded, and her horse is being led into a car near the back of the train.
Elowyn laughs at something Viala says, and Tharios pulls their sister into a hug. When Elowyn turns toward Cerian, part of his heart crumbles, though he’ll never show it.
All their lives, they’ve shared this destiny—to heartbind with the human prince and princess. It drew them closer, even closer than they already were. Few elves are so near in age to their siblings. To be separated by a mere two years is unheard of. They may as well be twins by the elf way of reckoning age and time.
Elowyn. His constant companion as she pretended to keep him out of trouble.
“There’s a princess in Nunia who’s depending on you not to die,” Elowyn would call out to him whenever she caught him doing something dangerous.
Cerian glances at Arisanna again. His human princess. She seems surprisingly stoic. Perhaps it’s a veneer hidingher sadness. It’s difficult to imagine she isn’t at all affected by this looming separation from her family.
His heart unexpectedly aches for her. Is that the heartbinding? He rarely grows close to people outside his family. His destiny in life set him apart. Made him different.
To grow to care for a stranger so quickly is a foreign feeling—it’s unsettling.
He looks back toward Elowyn. She may have pretended to keep him out of trouble, but their worst scrapes were usually borne from her ideas.
Elowyn smiles up at him. “Remember, there’s a human princess—”
“Depending on me not to die.” The corner of Cerian’s mouth ticks up. “I won’t forget.”
With a glance at the others, Elowyn leans toward him. “There is a place where you can die and yet live. Unfortunately, I am prevented from elaborating.”
He frowns. What does that mean?
She lifts her brows at him, and understanding dawns.
“The heartlanding?”
“You know I can’t say more. I’m surprised the magic let me say that much.”
“Did you go back last night?” Cerian asks.
Elowyn nods. “Didn’t you?”
