Her distant cousin had been silent all morning. She stared blankly at the hills coated in fog outside. Shadows lined her exhausted eyes, her complexion pale. Dyna’s Essence also seemed dim. Lucenna reminded herself to brew Azeran’s tea whenever they stopped.
Keena giggled with a trilling sound, drawing Lucenna from her thoughts. The fairy’s wings released a puff of golden pixie dust as she flew around the carriage. “Lord Norrlen sure knows how to woo a lady.”
Lucenna smirked. “He does bear a certain charm about him.”
“Do you have a beloved, Lady Lucenna?” Aerina asked her. “I see you have a lovely ring.”
“Oh, uh, well—” Lucenna stuttered, caught off guard by the question. She glanced down at the pink diamond sitting on her finger. It once shone brightly, but somehow appeared dull to her now. “I suppose you could say I am promised.”
The statement came out half-heartedly. She didn’t know what to call Everest. Beloved? Love-mate? None seemed to fit.
“She is to marry the Crown Prince of the Magos Empire,” Kenna announced cheerfully.
Lucenna shot the fairy a withering look.
Keena winced. “Oh … forgive me. Was it a secret?”
Crossing her arms, Lucenna slumped back in her seat. “I suppose not.”
Though she didn’t think sharing her story with Keena last night meant it would be shared with others.
“I see.” Lady Aerina’s brows rose high with interest, but she courteously didn’t press her further. She asked Keena, “Are you promised as well, princess?”
The little fairy’s hazel eyes widened, and she shook her head, making the gold beads in her dark hair jingle. “Oh no. I am not fond of such entanglements.”
“Have you ever been in love?”
“I am not sure I would recognize the feeling. Love is unusual for faeries. From what I have seen, I find it more trouble than it’s worth. Though it’s quite amusing to watch,” Keena added with a laugh that sounded like a tinkling of bells. The petals of her dress fluttered as she flew over to sit on Lucenna’s shoulder.
“I suppose it can be trouble,” Aerina said with a sigh. “You find yourself on this precipice where everything begins and ends with this person. Then every thought of them has taken over your life, and there is this incredible feeling inside of you. Passion and desire are only a facet in the deep well of affection that exists for them. When they are gone, it feels as if one cannot breathe…”
Lucenna watched Dyna carefully for her reaction to the turn of conversation, but she hardly blinked, clearly not listening at all. In truth, Lucenna wasn’t sure if she could understand love either. What she had felt for Everest didn’t seem to match that description.
Affection, yes, but passion and desire?
Lucenna had shared his bed once, and while an enjoyable experience, she realized now it was done only to please him rather than herself. Her young, impressionable heart had convinced her it was love. Would she even know what true love felt like?
Movement at the carriage window drew her attention to Klyde as he rode past with Tavin.
“The time Rawn and I had together was very brief,” Lady Aerina said, pulling her back to the conversation. “But each day was so wonderful.”
“Even when your marriage became too difficult to bear?” Dyna suddenly asked, looking up at her. “Lord Norrlen is a soldier. You, Your Grace, are a Princess of Greenwood. Your statuses are so far apart, you may as well be from two dissimilar worlds. Was it worth all the pain and backlash you suffered for loving him? For the disrespect and danger you still endure to remain his wife?”
Lucenna and Keena exchanged a glance. She may have had the same thoughts, but to voice them aloud…
Lady Aerina wasn’t offended. She smiled at Dyna, though it was a sad one. “When I married Rawn, I chose to bind myself to him completely. I saw my marriage not as a promise to love him so long as our life was perfect. But a promise to love him through every trial, for he is the one I chose to face this life with.” Lady Aerina looked down at the emerald ring on her finger. “They say the God of Urn tied each soul to their soulmate with a thread. This thread is to represent the bond between two people. It may stretch and tangle, but it will never break. Even if they are separated by distance, time, or obstacles, they will eventually find each other and fulfill their destined love. It is often used to convey the belief that true love is predestined, and that fate plays a role in bringing soulmates together…” Her voice wobbled and her eyes grew wet. “And if I am not meant to be reunited with Rawn in this life, I fully believe I will see him again in the next one … because he is mine.”
“Oh, you poor thing.” Kenna flew to her and patted her cheek.
Dyna heaved a breath and rubbed her face. “I am so sorry for my thoughtless question. I didn't mean to imply…”
“No, no, it’s all right.” Aerina laughed wetly and drew out a handkerchief from her dress to wipe her eyes. “I am quite emotional these days. Please forgive me for my endless bouts of tears.”
“Please don’t feel the need to hold up appearances with us,” Lucenna said, taking her hand. “You miss your husband, and you’re worried about him. You’re allowed to cry.”
Aerina’s eyes welled with fresh tears. “Thank you, but I … I must behave as a princess should. Each day is a burden knowing what he must suffer. I cling to the hope that my Rawn will make it home.” Her hand went to her chest. “I dread the moment I no longer feel him.”
They had a connection, Lucenna recalled. She had seen it in theEssentia Dimensiowhen helping Rawn with his tracking spell. Elves may not have bonds like Celestials, but they have their own form of a magical link, if only an awareness of their mate.
