by E. L. Todd
Maybe I should just go.
No. This is your opportunity to grow your circle.
Did you see the way everyone dogged me on the way here?
Peony will vouch for you. Her heart is true.
Cora approached the garden and cleared her throat to announce her presence. “Wow, this is beautiful.”
All three of them turned to regard her.
As she suspected, the two elves were guarded.
Peony was the only one who possessed any warmth. “Hello, Cora.” She got to her feet and stripped off her gloves. “That’s very nice of you to say. A lot of love and attention goes into this soil.”
“I can tell.”
The other elves rose to their feet but kept their distance.
Peony came closer. “We’ve got the turnips here next to the carrots, the cauliflower right here, and then our mushrooms are here. We grow our rice in a different place because this spot is just too shady for it.”
“What about the vanilla and cocoa?”
“Just over here.” She gestured to the trees at the end of the line, where the beans were visible on the limbs.
“Can you eat it raw?”
“It’s edible, but…I don’t recommend it.” The male elf approached, so Peony made the introduction. “Cora, this is my friend Hawk. He helps me out sometimes.”
Hawk regarded her with a simple nod.
Speak.
He didn’t say anything.
You’re the one who needs to be liked. Not the other way around.
“It’s nice to meet you.” She gave a slight bow.
There was a long pause of hesitation before he reciprocated.
Was that so hard?
When you’re used to everyone hating you all the time, it’s kinda hard to put yourself out there.
People won’t stop hating you until you give them a reason to stop hating you.
“This is Lia.”
Lia gave a silent bow.
“Hi.” Cora did the same. “Peony brought me a casserole last night…it was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.”
“Then you haven’t eaten well.” Hawk had a deep voice filled with ancient tranquility. Peony seemed young in years, but he seemed old, despite his ageless appearance. “Because Peony thinks burning is the same thing as cooking.”
Wow…what an asshole.
Peony grinned and cast him a furtive look.
After a moment, he smiled back.
Oh…it’s a joke.
A poor one.
Elves don’t joke.
Neither do dragons, but I know a bad joke when I see one.
“You want to help us?” Peony turned back to Cora.
“Sure,” Cora said. “But I’ve never done this before.”
“I’ll teach you.” She handed over her gloves. “Come on.”
They gathered their harvest and carried it to the market, where it would be put on display the following morning. Then Peony invited them all to her tree house for dinner.
I just got an invitation to hang out!
Hang out?
You know, socialize.
What a terrible phrase…
Peony washed and prepared the vegetables while Lia took care of the cooking. There wasn’t work for more than two people, so Cora sat at the table with Hawk, both of them enjoying the green tea Peony made.
Was hoping for some wine.
Maybe another time.
Hawk sat across from her, but his eyes remained on Peony most of the time, even when she faced the other way.
All Cora could do was stare at the elf across from her, unsure how to talk to him. What should I say? Should I ask him a question?
Just pretend he’s me.
Pretending he’s a dragon king is not going to work.
Then whomever you deem a friend. Perhaps Flare.
Flare didn’t fit into that category. “Are you a gardener as well?”
He slowly turned back to regard her, showcasing intelligent eyes. “I serve in the army. That is my contribution to Eden Star.”
“General Callon is my—”
Careful.
Oh, you’re right. “Callon has been very kind to me since I arrived here.”
Hawk regarded her with a solemn stare. “General Aldon is a strong leader who will protect the forest with his life—but General Callon will always be the true general to me. If he needed to depart our lands, I know that it was for a good reason. I do not need to question his motives or loyalty. I speak for most of us when I say this.”
The throne is his to take.
But he doesn’t want it, Ashe.
I don’t care if he wants it. His duty is to his people—not himself.
He’s given more than enough to his people.
It will never be enough until there’s everlasting peace.
Is there such a thing as everlasting peace?
There was until the humans sailed to our lands.
Cora ignored Ashe. “He’s a very honorable man. You served under him?”
“For a long time.”
“So…the rest of the army was unhappy with the queen’s decision?”
“Extremely. But she is our queen—and we must obey.”
No, you don’t.
How would you feel if the dragons didn’t obey you?
They don’t obey. A true leader doesn’t give commands to be followed blindly. They lead by example, by inspiration. I asked for volunteers in this quest. If I expected any of them to obey, I would have commanded them all to join us. Subjects are entitled to free will. Entitled to opinions. Your queen is foolish for thinking otherwise.
“Since Callon has taken a vested interest in you, I will as well.”
Cora blinked as she met his look. If it weren’t for Callon, none of this would be possible.
A quality of a king.
“He speaks highly of General Aldon. Said he recommended him as a replacement.”
“I have no qualms about General Aldon. In the event of General Callon’s passing, I knew he would be chosen. But General Callon has been our general for millennia, and since we experience time differently than you do, it’ll take a very long time to come to terms with the loss.”
“Do you think it’s possible for him to get the position back?”
He gave a shake of his head. “Queen Delwyn will not go back on her decision—unless General Callon does something to regain her approval.”
“What if General Aldon refused to lead?”
“Someone else would be selected.”
“What if everyone refused to take the position?”
He cocked his head slightly. “You want him reinstated.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because…he left Eden Star to help me. If he hadn’t, I would have died.”
His eyebrows remained furrowed.
“It wasn’t his fault. It was mine.”
“General Callon left his post to help an outsider.”
“I’m not an outsider.” Her temper flared like the light from a shooting star. Peony and Lia both turned away from the counter to regard them both. “If he thinks I’m worth saving, then you should all think I’m worth saving.”
“I never said otherwise.”
“Then don’t call me an outsider. I may only be half of you, but I’m still you nonetheless.”
A slow smile moved on to his lips. “You misunderstood me. Or perhaps I misspoke. General Callon abandoned his post to help an outsider—and that makes you an outsider no more.”
After a quiet dinner, Lia said goodnight and took the path in the opposite direction toward her tree house.
Cora and Hawk continued on the same path.
Hawk had the same posture as Callon, carrying himself like he wore heavy armor and his sword across his back. He kept a distance of several feet, his eyes straight ahead, the darkness of the forest lit by white candles at the foot of the trees.
“How long have you known Peony?”
“Was that with King Tiberius?”
“Yes. He also fell.”
She looked straight ahead.
“She pinned it to my chest and moved on to the next soldier—but I never forgot her face. Perhaps I was just afraid, but her touch brought me comfort.”
“You’re afraid of battle?”
“Aren’t we all?”
“I don’t know… Callon doesn’t seem to be.”
“Well, he has nothing left to lose—because he already lost everything.”
She turned to regard him, examine the side of his face. “Are you and Peony…together?”
“No.”
“Oh, my mistake.”
“No mistake, Cora. You perceive the truth.”
“I…I don’t understand.”
He continued his pace down the earthy path, his voice and expression hiding any trace of pain. “I declared my love—but she didn’t return it.”
“Oh…I’m sorry.”
“I hope in time she feels differently. In the meantime, her friendship is enough.”
“You don’t want to find someone who could return your feelings?”
“I have no interest.”
“But if she doesn’t feel the same way—”
“She made her feelings perfectly clear, and I respect her decision. I haven’t pursued it or mentioned it again. But it’s her company that I prefer above all others, and if that is under the condition of friendship, that’s enough for me.”
She let the conversation fade and looked ahead once more.
“My home is this way.” He stopped at a fork in the road. “But I can escort you, if you like.”
“Eden Star is pretty safe… I think I’ll be okay.”
Drop the sarcasm, Cora.
“I mean, that’s very kind of you, but I know the way.”
He gave a slight bow before he continued on the path to his home.
Looks like I made another friend.
Miracles do exist.
Oh, shut up.
21
Girl Talk
Callon stepped into her tree house, silent and swift like he was a spirit himself. His pack was on his back, his sword at his hip because he didn’t have to conceal it the way she did. Even if he wasn’t in the army anymore, no one would dare revoke his weapons.
She continued to pack her stuff at the dining table. “I’m almost ready.”
“I arrive at sunrise every morning, so you should always be ready.”
“Well, it’s pretty hard to wake myself up in the dark.”
Callon gave her his signature stern expression.
She continued to pack her lunch in the leaf container. “I met Hawk last night. Didn’t get his last name.”
“I know of whom you speak.” He stood in the open area near her bed, arms by his sides, his gaze out the window.
“He spoke really highly of you.”
Callon continued to stare.
“Said you’re still the general…to him.”
“A loyalty I don’t deserve—but appreciate, nonetheless.”
“He trusts that if you left Eden Star, it was for a good reason.”
“That wasn’t the case.” He turned back to her. “As we both know.”
“That’s not true, Callon. If that hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have met Ashe, and none of what I’ve accomplished would be possible.”
He looked away again, dismissing the conversation.
“He also said that since you have a vested interest in me, he does too. So…your popularity is really helping me out around here.”
“I’m glad.”
She returned to her lunch, putting it away along with some extra berries for the red cardinal she’d befriended.
Callon turned to the doorway.
Cora did the same and followed his gaze.
Peony was there, along with Hawk and Lia. “I apologize, Cora. I didn’t mean to intrude while you’re entertaining.”
“No, you’re fine,” Cora said quickly. “Callon is impossible to entertain.”
Callon turned and gave her a stare.
Peony acknowledged him with a bow. “General Callon. Mera-Nil-Weia.”
Callon reciprocated with a bow.
Lia did the same, bowing and saying those words. “Mera-Nil-Weia.”
Hawk was the last, giving the deepest bow to his former commander. “Mera-Nil-Weia.”
I wonder what that means.
Must be a gesture of respect. When a dragon wishes to honor me, they bring me a kill.
That’s…touching.
Peony addressed Cora. “We were going to the market to have breakfast, but maybe you can join us another time.”
More like never.
“She can join you now.” Callon stepped aside and turned back to Cora. “I was just leaving.” He gave her a curt nod then departed her tree house, moving silently down the vines even though his pack was full of supplies for a day’s journey.
Cora abandoned her pack on the table. “Looks like I’m free.”
They went to the café Callon had taken her to before, and while there were cold stares from every direction and a bit of hesitation from the waitress, Cora felt far more welcome than she ever had before.
They enjoyed their coffee and tea as they waited for their breakfast to arrive. Cora ordered blueberry pancakes and a vegetable crepe with cashew cheese melted on top. The café air wafted with an appetizing smell, orders passing by and being delivered to other elves at other tables.
Peony sat across from her. “I realize it’s none of my business, but…are you and General Callon—”
“No. Yuck. Gross. Ew. No.”
Peony gave a chuckle. “Alright, then.”
“Besides, he’s like… I don’t even know how old he is. Like five thousand years old? I don’t even know.”
“Age is irrelevant when you live forever.”
“Well, I’m in my twenties, so I’m pretty much a newborn to you guys,” Cora said. “Gross.”
Peony sipped her coffee and gave another chuckle.
“How old are you?” Cora asked. “I mean, you don’t have to answer that. Didn’t mean to be rude.”
“You’re fine,” Peony said. “I’m less than a hundred. A child like you.”
Cora shifted her gaze to Hawk. “I’m guessing you’re a lot older than that.”
He gave a slight nod. “A bit.”
“I’m young like Peony,” Lia said. “Just a bit older. We’re the children of Eden Star.”
“So, there are no actual children in the forest?” Cora asked. “You’re the youngest elves?”
“Well, technically, you are,” Peony said. “But yes. There have been no children for a while.”
“I’m surprised,” Cora said. “After all the lives that were lost in the wars…”
The waitress arrived and delivered the hot plates, but didn’t depart before giving Cora another cold look.
When Cora looked at the deliciousness placed in front of her, it was as if that glare never happened. “Oh man, this shit looks goooooood.”
They all stiffened.
Cora.
“Shit. I mean…” She slapped her own forehead. “Sorry.”
Hawk was the first one to crack a smile.
The other two seemed amused as well and carried on with their breakfast.
Why is it so difficult for you not to speak crassly?
It’s language. It’s stupid to censor words because we deem them inappropriate.
It’s called class, Cora. You clearly don’t have it.
Because I’m real. What you see is what you get, alright?
Clearly.
“What you said to Callon, what does that mean?” She took a bite of her blueberry pancakes, and it took all her strength not
to turn crass once again. The warm blueberries gushed in her mouth, the maple syrup so sweet in its freshness.
“Mera-Nil-Weia?” Peony asked. “May the beating heart of the forest protect yours. It’s a sign of respect toward those who have earned the collective love of the elves as a whole. Very few have earned it.”
I can’t remember anyone saying it to the queen.
Quite telling.
“And Rein-Lei-Vu?” Cora asked.
Peony’s eyes softened, like she knew where Cora had heard it. “I love you.”
Lia was the first to go, and then Hawk followed shortly afterward. Just as Callon did, he was required to serve his rotation at the border for days at a time. That left her and Peony alone as they sipped their coffee with the dirty plates between them.
“If there’s nothing romantic between you, what is your relationship?” Peony held the small cup of green tea between her hands, the steam rising toward her face because she’d recently received a refill.
Cora glanced at her coffee before she answered. “Queen Delwyn was very harsh toward me, and I think Callon took pity on me. He’s taken me under his wing ever since. I know he lost his son, so I think it’s just natural for him to be fatherly.”
“That’s how you see him? As a father?”
She nodded. “Yeah…I do.”
“That’s sweet.”
“He’s a good man. The best I know, really.”
Peony gave a nod in agreement. “He’s sacrificed everything for his people, and he keeps going. We acknowledge his sacrifice. My mother served under him and always said he was the greatest general that ever served in Eden Star. I’ve never met another warrior who has said otherwise.”
“I hope he can get his position back.”
“As do I. But I also understand if he doesn’t want it.” She looked down into her tea, a splash of almond milk swirling on the surface.
“So…Hawk is a pretty good-looking guy.”
Peony raised her chin, distressed eyes locking on to hers.
“I asked him if you guys were together on the walk home last night.”
“Oh…”
“He’s just not your type or what?”
Peony’s eyes dropped back to her tea. “Hawk is a suitable life partner. He’s highly respected by the elves. He’s a great swordsman on the battlefield, and he has a gentle kindness when he’s home.”