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Yesterday, Ellie had helped him scout for a suitable area on the map and now she was helping him survey the landscape. He wanted to build a village. The first of many, to replace all those he’d destroyed.

Rion knew it wasn’t much—anyone could build—but the occupation of it was something he enjoyed.

Ellie stopped in the middle of a field and he followed her eyes. “This ought to be as good a place to start as any.”

The land was mostly flat save for one hill that rose to their left. He might be able to keep it and use it for farming.

The trees were sparse, yet large enough that he would be able to use their timber for construction.

Rion leapt from his horse and patted its strong neck. He pulled the reins from around its neck, then unsaddled the creature, allowing it to roam free and graze on the tall grass. Ellie did the same.

“You realize this is going to take forever by yourself, right?”

Rion eyed her. “It won’t be as hard as you think.”

She shrugged, then pulled a blanket from her pack, unfolded it, and spread it across the tall grass. “Here, I brought you some lunch.”

Rion stared at the long wrapped sandwich before taking it. She plopped down to unwrap her own. “Kirian made them himself. He doesn’t want to risk anyone poisoning me, either.”

She took a bite, closed her eyes, and chewed slowly, savoring it in a way that almost made Rion laugh. Rion was fairly certain Ellie would choose food over gold if she were ever given the option.

He sat across from her and eyed his sandwich. He should trust her. He wanted to trust her, but he had wanted to trust so many others, too. She had been meeting nonstop with the council since their arrival. She functioned as Móirín’s ambassador. If she had finally decided he wasn’t worth keeping around—

“Really?” she said, seeming to follow his train of thought. Ellie sighed and swiped his sandwich before he could reply and took a large bite. Her face contorted and she shuddered before swallowing it quickly and handing it back. Rion just stared at her.

“I don’t like tomatoes. Arianna said you do, so of course your stupid sandwich has to be loaded with them.”

At that, Rion laughed. Arianna’s little sister had to be the most authentic Fae he’d ever met. She voiced exactly what she was thinking and faced the world without fear, demanding it bend to her will.

Ellie looked out over the area. “So what’s our first move?”

Rion finally bit into the sandwich and followed her gaze. He swallowed before saying, “I’ll clear the trees and level the ground.”

She scoffed. “Oh sure, no big deal. We’ll just move the landscape around like it’s nothing.”

He laughed. “I guess there are some advantages to this magic.”

“I’d say so.” She glanced around again. “Just don’t drop a tree on me.”

***

Once they finished lunch, Rion quickly uprooted the trees and piled them off to one side. Ellie located a spring and he shifted the dirt, packed it, and placed rocks inside to create a sturdy well. He tilled one section, preparing it for crops, then marked a space where he’d build a pen for animals.

“You really plan to build an entire village by yourself,” Ellie said.

Rion used his magic to work on the first tree, blasting away the bark before carefully splitting it down the middle.

“A few villages. As many as it takes.”

She shook her head and watched as the two pieces lowered to the ground. He split them in half again. “Well, I’ll make time to come help whenever I’m free.”

“I’d appreciate it.”

She spread her arms. “We’ll get the whole gang out here. It’ll be nice to change things up a bit and get some fresh air.”

“I thought you enjoyed the royal life.”

“I like the food,” Ellie admitted. “But they’re all a bunch of old bastards who whine when one little mishap inconveniences their day. They’re downright irritating. Although,” She added before he could respond. “I’m having quite a nice time snooping around their things.” She crinkled her nose. “Mostly.”