He took a deep, shuddering breath, nodded, and then straightened.
She could only let the silence reside another minute before she burst out, “But was it there?”
“Was what there?” He arched his eyebrow.
“In the Moonscript. The Darkness’s sole goal was to read the Moonscript so he could find a way into the Higher World. Was he right? Is there a way?”
Errance’s expression remained fixed in place, his brow still quirked. Then he closed his eyes and turned away. When he looked back, his face was gentle but reproving. “That,” he said, “is only for me to know.”
Oh. She blushed. Of course.
The magpie gave an unexpected cry and dove from the railing to Errance’s shoulder. “What—” He drew back, his arm reaching out to cover Tellie, when a musical bugle filled the air.
Swooping up from the city below them, The Daisha spun into the sky, her wings sending a current of air that nearly knocked Errance and Tellie to the ground. Circling around, she swept to the terrace railing and hooked her front paws over it, her hind legs resting against the wall with a thump.
“Here’s a happy meeting!” she said, grinning at their ruffled state. With a thrust of her wings, she slid over the railing and sat in the terrace with them.
“Tellie, there you are!” Kelm sat atop The Daisha’s shoulders, looking very comfortable and pleased with his current position in life.
Brushing back her mussed hair, Tellie frowned at her friend indignantly. “Fine time to drop in,” she said. “What are you doing here?”
Laughing, Kelm exchanged a mischievous glance with The Daisha. “Why, I’m here to rescue you, of course,” he said. “Sweep you off to safety on my fine steed.”
Tellie looked between their amused expressions and recognized where the conversation was headed. “Oh no, you don’t,” she said, backing away. “I am not riding The Daisha. You know I’m terrified of heights.”
“Rubbish!” The Daisha sniffed. “Flying is a remarkable experience. I carried you once already. I promise it will be much more comfortable up on top.”
“Aw, come on, Tellie,” the boy begged. He scooted backwards. “Look, you can even sit in front of me, so you have something behind and in front of you.”
She hesitated. If the ride was gentle and slow enough, perhaps…
Strong hands encircled her waist, lifting her from the ground, and set her upon The Daisha’s back.
“She’s all yours, Kelm,” Errance said.
“Errance! You traitor!” she squealed, plastering herself to The Daisha’s neck.
“It’s awfully nice he came along,” the elf king said, mimicking her earlier tease. “He’s very handsome. And very sweet.”
Ignoring Kelm’s chortle, she pertly stuck her tongue out at the elf king. “Oh, fine.” Taking a deep breath, she took a tight hold of her mount’s fur. It was reassuring to feel Kelm’s arms securing her waist. The sooner they flew, the sooner she’d forget about blushing. “If we start off slow—”
Her sentence was lost in a scream as The Daisha dove off the terrace. But that scream of terror melted into a laugh of delight as the creature swept up again into the sky.
The young king listened to the bell-like laughter of the children as he watched them dance above the mountains, the meadows, and the star-kissed streams. He watched as they rose into the vaults of the night, where the moon shone brighter than ever before.
And he smiled.
“So,” Rendar said, sighing in contentment. “We have come to the end.”
“The end?” said the One. “No. It is only the beginning.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It has been such a journey to this point, so many people along the way who have helped me stand where I am today. Firstly, my parents, who gave me the teaching and support I needed to turn from a bookish fangirl into an aspiring author. They encouraged me every step of the way. To my brother and cousins who always had to listen to my storytelling ventures and were so patient and kind! To my loving grandparents, who believed in me. All my family, you are the best.
To Anne Elisabeth who encouraged me to choose ONE writing project to complete and guided me with her experiences and the inspiration from her own wonderful books.
To my Alpha readers, my dear friends! Yes, those who read the drafts at various stages and helped me figure out what was working and what wasn’t…Clara, Beka, Jill, Allison, Jacob, Hannah, and Bryn—
—Bryn, who took such an interest that she became my constant writing partner, bolstering me to develop the world, characters, and series in a way that stretched my mind beyond its previous limits.
And then all you lovely people who have been waiting for this story for over seven years….thank you for your patience, for your enduring interest, and now this story is here for you.
From the beginning, H. S. J. Williams has loved stories and all the forms they take. Whether with word, art, or costume, she has always been fascinated with the magic of imagination. She lives in a real fantastical kingdom, the beautiful Pacific Northwest, with her very own array of animal friends and royally loving family. Williams taught Fantasy Illustration at MSOA. She may also be a part-time elf.
FAIREST SON was her first venture into the publishing world, a novella to teach her the ropes.
She is also an artist and has long dreamed of illustrating her own books, a dream realized today. You can check out and follow William's art page over at hsjwilliams.wordpress.com
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THE ARTISTS
Cover Art by Salome Totladze
@morgana0anagrom
Map Art by Noverantale
@noverantale
Part I, II, II Art by Hannah Rogers
@inscape.studio
KINGS OF ASELVIA
COLLUSION
Currently in Development
Moonscript (Kings of Aselvia Book 1) Page 48