Elodie of the Sea
Page 24
Something is wrong, very wrong.
My eyes meet his, and they lock. We’re both wondering, but neither of us is ready to question it out loud.
“I’ll try it,” I finally whisper.
Needing no explanation, he hurries to a side table, to an earthen picture by the window, and pours a new cup of water. Silent, he offers it to me.
My fingers trembles as I accept it.
It will burn—it will make me ill. And if I can’t tolerate the sea water any longer, what will save me?
But I need to know.
Hesitant, I bring the cup to my lips and take the tiniest sip, testing the fresh water. It’s crisp, refreshing. It tastes clean and cool. I swallow, waiting.
Waiting.
But nothing happens. I meet Bran’s eyes and subtly shake my head.
“Elodie,” Bran breathes. “What did you do on the island?”
I shake my head. “I gave you my magic.” I pause, something startling dawning on me. “I gave you my magic.”
“Freely,” Bran says, following my train of thought.
“That’s the difference,” I say, excited and awed.
It’s an amazing realization, astounding. All this time, all these centuries, our queens have died because their magic was stolen from them, but if they’d given it freely, as a gift, it wouldn’t have torn them apart, wouldn’t have caused an invisible, fatal wound there was no healing from.
The realization is sad, tragic even.
“So, without your magic, you’re simply…” he catches my hand, unable to finish.
I squeeze his palm, realizing that I’m no longer on the brink of death. My magic is gone, and I am whole and healthy.
“Bran,” I say, trying not to laugh. “I think it means I’m human.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Bran
The great hall is packed. I recognize many friendly faces—and some not so friendly ones. To say the peacocks are displeased is perhaps an understatement.
My parents sit with Dristan and Rosie, and I smile at my mother as she bounces Belle on her lap. They arrived back in Triblue two days ago, just in time for the gala. They never encountered the attacking sea dragons and were shocked when Dristan filled them in on what they missed while they were away.
Marigold and Teagan are safe as well, as they didn’t leave the islands for Lestonia until it was time for my parents to return to Triblue.
There will be dancing after the official announcement is made and we complete the promising ceremony. Elodie stands to the side of the room, speaking with Pippa, Anwen, Rosie, and Audette, waiting. She wears a gown of aquamarine, a color that complements her eyes and lovely light hair.
When she catches me watching her, she offers me a smile. She’s radiant, the picture of health.
“How do you feel?” Irving asks, coming up next to me. The king is well. Thankfully, he didn’t suffer any lingering effects from the bubbling pool in the labyrinth.
“Content.” I eye him, craning my neck to look up at him. “Are you sure you haven’t grown taller?”
He grins in a knowing way but shakes his head. “I don’t believe so.”
“It’s time,” Father says, rising to join me. “Are you ready to make the announcement?”
I nod and walk up the steps to the platform where my throne sits and turn toward my audience. Slowly, the room falls silent as people give me their attention. It’s still difficult to have their eyes on me, but it’s getting easier, starting to feel a little more natural.
I clear my throat before I begin. “As promised, tonight I will be choosing my bride—Triblue’s future queen.”
The crowd waits, most eager for the news to be confirmed. Irving joins Archer, Lionel, and Galinor toward the front. The four look as if they’re dying to heckle me, so I bite back a grin and avoid them, staring into the faceless crowd instead. Deacan and several of his gypsies stand to the side, looking pleased to be in attendance.
We’ve agreed upon the Bandolian people’s plot of land, and Triblue is now on excellent terms with the once-wandering entertainers.
Elodie’s family is here as well, standing slightly apart from the rest, perhaps unsure how they will be received in this human gathering. They look happy though, and her mother cries silently as she smiles. I will do everything in my power to ensure that they always feel welcome and safe, that no merfamily will ever fear for their daughter’s life again.
My new elite knights stand at the back of the room, watching. They are young, eager to make names for themselves, but I think they will do nicely.
“Elodie of Isle Milayle,” I say, extending my hand to my future wife. “Please join me.”
The crowd murmurs with excitement, and most look at Elodie with curiosity instead of the contempt they first showed her.
I meet Elodie’s eyes and smile before I take her hand. The people cheer and clap, and my father joins us, preparing to do the promising ceremony. Mother stands by his side, holding the silver ribbon.
I stand in front of my people, ready to offer Elodie my promise. In several months, we will be married, and I will gift her Isle Milayle, her childhood home.
The once-hidden island is in Triblue’s care now that I defeated their ruler, but it belongs to the merpeople. I will protect them as a province, guard them as if they are my own, but Elodie alone will govern them from her seat at Castle Calland. They deserve a mermaid on their throne, even if she no longer can shift.
Eventually, many years from now, one of our children will claim Milayle’s crown. Perhaps they’ll even carry magic in their blood.
Together, in front of our loved ones, Elodie and I make our promises, declaring our formal engagement.
When we are finished, Elodie sets her palm over my hand, and Father ties the silver ribbon around our wrists.
“The promise is binding,” he says, and the crowd breaks into riotous applause.
We join our friends and family, accepting their congratulations. It’s an exhausting affair, wholly wonderful. Somehow, the day I dreaded most in my life has become one of the happiest.
Later, after we break away from the chaos of the gala to walk through the royal garden, I ask Elodie, “Will you miss the ocean? Miss spending hours below the water?”
“Yes,” she says, clasping her hand in mine. “But I will never regret spending the rest of my life on land. With you.”
I stare into her eyes, content for the first time in more years than I can count. My future as Triblue’s ruler lies before me, and I no longer face it with dread, and all because she will be by my side.
“I’m glad you washed up on my shore,” I tell her, pulling her close.
She laughs and stands on her tiptoes to kiss me. “As am I.”
What happens when a feisty adventuress, a lord looking to make his own way in the world, and a handsome sea captain set out to find Kalae’s rarest and most valuable flower?
Trouble—and lots of it.
Moss Forest Orchid
Silver & Orchids, Book One
Available Now
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About the Author
Shari L. Tapscott writes young adult fantasy and humorous contemporary fiction. When she's not writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, making soap, and pretending she can sing. She loves white chocolate mochas, furry animals, spending time with her family, and characters who refuse to behave.
Tapscott lives in western Colorado with her husband, son, daughter, and two very spoiled Saint Bernards.
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Books:
Silver & Orchids
Moss Forest Orchid
Greybrow Serpent
Wildwood Larkwing
Lily of the Desert
/> Fire & Feathers: Novelette Prequel to Moss Forest Orchid
Eldentimber Series
Pippa of Lauramore
Anwen of Primewood
Seirsha of Errinton
Rosie of Triblue
Audette of Brookraven
Grace of Vernow: An Eldentimber Novelette
Fairy Tale Kingdoms
The Marquise and Her Cat: A Puss in Boots Retelling
Contemporary Fiction
Just the Essentials
Glitter and Sparkle
Shine and Shimmer
Sugar and Spice