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 makeseverythingcomplicated. 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 yourcomplicatedlove.”
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 actuallycouldwork 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 intooutstretched 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.
