by E. L. Todd
Yeah…been there, done that.
Cora dropped her gaze, the guilt instant.
When everyone knows that you’re the one who saved the forest, everything will change, regardless how the queen feels about it. I’m not worried about it.
True. Ashe spoke. You will earn the favor of every elf that lives.
Even if that’s true, I doubt I’ll be able to convince Queen Delwyn to send her army to the Stronghold.
You can if Eden Star wants more allies. They already have the dragons, and now they’ll have the dwarves. Unless…you haven’t spoken to her about that either.
The right time has failed to present itself.
You still haven’t asked her? What have you guys been doing all this time?
Look, she hates me. Would you ask someone who hates you for a favor? That would be like me asking a Shaman if he wants to have brunch.
Rush gave a chuckle. Sorry, I pictured that in my head…
His deep voice broke through the laughter, serious as a cloudy sky. Our plan was to earn the affection of the elves through her communion with the dead. It’s been a slow process because we can’t simply announce her abilities without attracting the ire of the queen. But now that Cora has defended Eden Star, it should be much easier to accomplish this. She’s proven her loyalty to the elves, as have I. It’s also abundantly clear that King Lux has his destructive gaze on the forest. They have no choice—they must fight.
And they’ll need allies to do that.
Exactly.
Cora, I’m sorry for everything that Eden Star has lost—but this definitely worked out in our favor.
You’re right.
We’ll head to Eden Star. It’ll take us a few weeks to get there with all the obstacles in our way. Hopefully, the elves will be ready to return to the Stronghold with us by the time we arrive.
Alright, we’ll get to work.
29
The Queen of Corruption
The perimeter of Eden Star was untouched.
There was no disturbance in the brush or the wildlife, no sign there had been any struggle to breach. When Callon checked the secret passageway, there were no signs of entry there either. The watchmen were unharmed, completely bypassed, and the enemy had headed straight for the civilians.
It was a relief that his men had been unhurt—but it had cost the lives of those unable to defend themselves. The days were long, and the nights were longer. There was no time to sleep, not when he was responsible for the entire elven army.
“General Callon.”
With his arms by his sides, he stood on the balcony of the tree house, a perfect view of the terrain outside Eden Star. The blue skies were empty, the lands were quiet, and there were no signs of assault from ahead. “Yes?” He pivoted slightly to meet the soldier’s eyes.
“Queen Delwyn wishes to speak with you.”
He held his gaze for a moment before he left the balcony. “Fangorn, you’re my sword and bow in my absence.”
He gave a slight nod. “Yes, General.”
Callon departed the tree house and returned to Eden Star, heartbroken when the music wasn’t as serene as it once had been. The songbirds were quiet. The butterflies absent. Resilient as ever, the forest continued on—but it wasn’t the same.
He was tempted to deviate from the path, to check on Cora, but it would take far too long to locate her now that her home had been destroyed in the fire. His home was gone too—along with all his possessions. Weila’s recipes. Turnion’s watercolor portrait. All those heirlooms—burned.
The pathway through the market was different, all the carts and shops destroyed. Elves worked to rebuild, carrying the natural wood they scavenged throughout the forest. The Queen’s residence remained, one of the few things that had escaped the fire. But the steps were stained with the blood of those who died to protect her.
He stopped, examining the place where he’d fallen, where his sword had dropped because he’d been bested in battle. The damage to his mind had severed his connection to his body—and he’d become too weak to fight.
The shame was potent.
But the pride for his Sor-lei—indescribable.
He rose up the steps and entered the fortress where her throne stood at the top.
She was there, seated with her legs crossed, the crown of flowers perfectly placed on her elegant head. Her blond hair was in wavy curls, spread out across her shoulders, shining like the summer sun. She would be a beautiful sight to behold—if it weren’t for the scowl on her hard mouth.
Decorated in his queen’s armor with his sword on his belt, he held her gaze and waited for instruction.
Ferocious eyes met his.
“The perimeter is secure. The only soldiers that we lost were the ones stationed deeper inside the forest. After a thorough investigation of our borders, I’m unable to determine the enemy’s point of entry.”
Her fingers drummed against the wood, her long nails giving a distinct tap every time they made contact. “Ask Cora—I’m sure she knows.”
The foul accusation was like fire down his throat—and straight into his belly. “She is the reason Eden Star still stands.”
“Irrelevant when she’s the reason they marched on this forest in the first place. We’ve lost hundreds of elves—because of her. That girl is a poison. She’s soaked into the roots and rotted the trees. She’s destroyed Eden Star—”
“You draw breath because she took up her sword and defended you.” He stepped forward as he breathed heavily, his hand instinctively needing his sword as if battle had crossed the threshold. “You are her queen—and she protected you.”
“I wasn’t the one she cared about.”
“Because of her courage and strength, the two of us speak this very moment. General Noose would have burned this forest to the ground—and done unspeakable things to you afterward. Cora is the daughter of a king, and she has proven her loyalty. The fact that you’re still unable to see past your own insecurities makes the fit of that crown questionable.”
The tapping of her fingers stopped when she rose to her feet, her white dress no longer stained with splashes of red blood. “I told you this would happen. I told you that our enemies would hunt her here. I would have exiled her from this forest, but you blackmailed me.”
“A queen can’t be blackmailed—not when she lives a truthful life. If you didn’t wish to conceal the truth and lie to your own people, then I would have been powerless to interfere with your rule.”
Her eyes were as narrow as the tip of an arrow. “As long as she remains here, we’re unsafe. A target has been placed on Eden Star—and we must move it. Our forest has never been breached, and yet, the first time it occurs happens to be when that girl is here. That speaks volumes.”
“We’ve always been at war with King Lux and the empire. This isn’t new.”
“But that war has never been at our doorstep. I knew she was death the first time I saw her—and I continue to believe it. We still don’t know how our enemy broke through the magic of our forest, and that’s not a coincidence. She had something to do with it—”
“Lies. This is a spun tale to get what you want.”
“Lies? I watched her kill six Shamans at once—with Death Magic. The magic of the forest must have eroded over time. Because she’s one of them.”
Callon stepped forward. “She is not one of them.”
“Then explain.”
His eyes shifted back and forth. “Spies reside within Eden Star.”
Queen Delwyn stared like she couldn’t entertain his suggestion whatsoever. “I understand your biological affection, but it is misplaced—she is not one of us.”
“She is.”
“She is what the empire wants. When we hand her over, his focus on Eden Star will end. He’ll get what he wants, and we will have peace.”
“Peace?” Callon moved up the first stair, unable to restrain his steps. “The only peace King Lux will accept is when all the free races of this world
are annihilated or subjugated. You’re a fool to believe otherwise. I can’t explain Cora’s abilities, but I can explain her heart. We are her people—and she will bleed for us. It would be wise to appreciate the asset that she is because her abilities are the greatest weapon we have against the empire. He wants to destroy her so she can’t be used against him—and you would be obliging that desire. Cora is our greatest potential for destroying King Lux and the empire for good. Our other crusades failed, but now we have a real chance. She can destroy the Shamans. She can wield a sword with the strength of a man. She can unite the most unlikely allies imaginable. Be worthy of the crown upon your brow—and do the right thing for us all.”
A stare as cold as winter ensued, greener than the forest around them. “It seems that you’ve forgotten who leads Eden Star. It is I, Queen Delwyn, not General Callon. You will carry out my commands without question because I decide what is best for us all.”
“Move against Cora, and I will tell everyone who she really is.”
Her hard face remained in place—subtly livid. “Then I will have to move against you as well.”
His jaw hardened as he clenched his teeth tightly together. “My mind was broken, but I still came for you. I knew my sword couldn’t defeat his, but I defended you anyway. I laid down my life for yours without regret.”
“Because that is your place—to serve me.”
“It is to serve an honorable ruler. But that is not you.”
She lowered herself back onto the throne, her hands gripping the edges. “You have served me faithfully these last twenty years. Served Tiberius for a century before that. I would take no pleasure in strife with you. So, stay out of my way, and there will be no strife.”
“General Callon.” An elf stopped his direction and gave a deep bow.
Callon continued on his way, his eyes scanning the forest in search of Cora.
Another elf stopped and gave a bow. “General Callon. Thank you for your service. Eden Star blooms because of you.”
“Not because of me.” He halted and stared at the elf he didn’t recognize. “It was Cora. She defeated General Noose in battle and killed the Shamans. If it weren’t for her, I’d be dead like all the rest.”
The elf straightened and met Callon’s look, bewildered. “Shamans can’t be killed—”
“Not anymore.” He continued, moving to the location where her tree house had once been. There was still debris on the forest floor, but most of the burned wood and ash had been discarded.
He went to his tree house next, but there was nothing left at all.
The tree didn’t survive.
What was once his home was now grass with pieces of ash caught between the blades. The home where his wife gave birth to his son no longer existed. The place where they cooked their meals and sipped tea at the dining table was gone. His home—the most special place in the world—had passed on. “Sun-lei…”
“Callon.”
He turned at the sound of his name. “Cora, are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Just exhausted from all the cleanup.” She turned her backpack around and opened the top to stick her hand inside.
“Let’s go. We need to talk.”
“Hold on… I have something for you.” She pulled out the green book, tattered and worn, one corner of all the pages blackened from fire. “I was looking through the debris of your house, and I found this.”
He stared at the book that he’d left on the kitchen counter, his wife’s elegant handwriting scribbled along the pages, all of her favorite recipes jotted down in one place. His breaths grew heavy as he stared.
“It’s a bit scuffed up and some pages are missing…but I thought you’d still want it.” She placed it in his hand.
He squeezed it between his fingers, the greatest possession that his wife had left behind. “Thank you…”
“I found this too.” She pulled out a picture frame with a painting inside. “Half of it is missing so it’s just part of his face, but I thought it was better than not having it at all.”
Callon took the picture, seeing half of his son’s face in his uniform. Like always, his heart turned into a fist and gave a squeeze. The loss never got easier, but sometimes his acceptance of the loss did.
“That was all I could find. I looked through everything before I let them take anything away. It seems like the fire got everything else. I’m sorry…”
“No.” He looked at both of the pieces in his hands, the two things he would have saved if he’d had the opportunity. “These are the only things that I care about anyway.”
30
Not a Moment Longer
They stepped into the clearing where they had their training, where Cora had slept every night since the attack to stay out of everyone’s way in Eden Star. The stream was as quiet and serene as ever, like a fiery assault had never taken place.
“What is it?” She dropped her heavy pack, her mobile home. It was weighed down by her armor and her wrapped sword. It gave a distinct thud when it hit the grass. “Did you see anything at the border?”
“Did you tell anyone of the secret passage?” He barked out the question, his eyes strained as they focused on her face.
“No.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes. Why?”
He studied her face a moment longer before the hostility waned. “Just had to make sure.”
“You think…that’s how they got in?”
“I have no idea how they got in.” He was still in his armor, working day and night for the past few days. His eyes weren’t as bright as they normally were, like he’d never had the option to sleep since the fires started. “We combed the border thoroughly and saw no signs of penetration.”
“Was there any sign of entry at the secret passage?”
He shook his head. “This mystery perplexes me.”
“Well, they had to get in somehow.”
“My best guess at the moment…the enemy resides in Eden Star.”
“What? That’s not possible…”
“Our forest is massive. I told you that the great majority of the population resides in the heart of the forest. But there are others that live deep in the woods, hundreds of miles in the trees.” He looked away, his gaze piercing the tree line as if he could see someone watching them that very moment.
She followed his gaze, as if she could see it too. “But why would they do that?”
“For elves, age isn’t a measurement of years lived. It’s a measurement of insanity.”
“What does that mean?”
He turned back to her. “The Spirit Ceremony allows an elf to pass from this life with dignity, to give a proper goodbye before eternal rest. As a child, it’s hard to understand the desire, but when you’re older, you’ll feel that yearning. But the few that never do…lose their minds. They retreat into the trees, never to be seen again.”
Her eyes flicked back. “That doesn’t explain the betrayal.”
“Their madness explains it.”
“Have you told the queen this?”
“Your question brings me to the purpose of this conversation.” He approached the stream and bent down to splash the water against his face, to let the cold drops cleanse the sweat that had accumulated over several days. “I informed her of my theory, but all she cares about is you.”
This woman fails to surprise me.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Let me burn her. We’ve wasted enough time with diplomacy.
Callon returned to her, drops falling from his chin. “I wish I were.”
“I saved her ass.”
“I know.”
“Not to toot my own horn or anything, but this forest is still here because of me.”
“I know that too.”
“So, what does she think? That I brought General Noose and the Shamans into Eden Star and then…fought them? That literally makes no sense. I know she’s a bitch, but she’s not a stupid one.”
“I agree. It’s just an excuse.”
“She’s doing all this because she thinks her husband had an affair? It bothers her that much?”
“You’re a threat to her power. That is the issue.”
She threw her arms down. “Could I just volunteer myself to be queen and take her throne? Does it even work like that?”
“Tiberius was the greatest king that ever lived. If the people knew that his daughter was among us, then yes, it’s possible they’d want you to lead instead of Queen Delwyn. Her reign has been unremarkable up until this point, but now that the border has been breached, people will question her ability.”
“She needs to chill because I’m not interested. Maybe if I tell her that, she’ll calm down. And I should tell her that Tiberius was literally poisoned into infidelity. Maybe that will help too.”
“Far too risky.”
“I think leaving her rampage unchecked is more risky.”
“That would require you to reveal that you can speak to those who are no longer with us. That’s something that should be concealed as long as possible.” The sun dried his face, his skin back to its natural state, his usual shadow now a thick beard because he hadn’t shaved in days. The dark color matched the pupil of his eyes.
“My crew is on the way here. They went to the Stronghold to initiate an alliance with the dwarves, but I guess it was overrun by these hideous orcs. There’s a clan of surviving dwarves trapped underground, but without aid, they’ll never escape.”
Callon watched her.
“And they have a dragon…”
“I don’t like where this is going, Sor-lei.”
“Rush made an agreement with the queen. They’ll return with an army to rid the mountain of the Fazurks. In return, they’ll release the dragon and pledge their alliance to the elves for the upcoming war.”
He gave a slight shake of his head. “Cora, that will never happen.”
“Well, I assumed that the queen would like me after I saved her…stupid me.”
“Tell them to turn around. They’re wasting their time.”