Page 119

You can do it. Essie held his hand in both of hers. She smiled, hoping he’d understand what she was trying to tell him.This is something to be excited about. You don’t have to feel ashamed or like you are betraying your family.

Farrendel braced his shoulders, though his gaze remained on the floor as if he couldn’t concentrate on his words if he looked at anyone else. “I applied for enrollment at Hanford University in Aldon to study magical engineering.”

Weylind made a choking sound, then coughed.

Rheva patted his back and looked like she wanted to roll her eyes but was too much of a dignified elf queen to do so.

“I have been working with an Escarlish friend who has a degree in magical engineering, and together we have been able to do things with my magic that I never thought were possible.” Farrendel’s words rushed out, as if he feared someone would argue with him if he stopped. “I would be able to take some of the courses via the mail while here in Tarenhiel, and the rest I would take while spending time in Escarland. Assuming I will be accepted.”

“You will be.” Averett’s mouth quirked, and he leaned back on the bench as if to get more comfortable. “Ever since you expressed interest, the professors have been counting down the days until they saw your application. Trust me. You will probably have an acceptance letter waiting for you when we return from solving this mess in Kostaria.”

“Magical engineering sounds...interesting.” Jalissa’s face remained smooth, except for a twist to one corner of her mouth.

Leyleira just gave another nod, but the glint in her eyes seemed like approval.

Weylind swallowed back his coughing fit, and he lifted his head to meet Farrendel’s gaze. “Will this make you happy?”

Leyleira gave a soft snort, and if she had been the kind to carry a cane, Essie was sure Leyleira would have thumped Weylind over the head with it. “Have I taught you nothing, Weylind Sasonsheni? That is not the right question to ask. It assumes that happiness is something fleeting to be chased and found in things or even in people. But true happiness, like true love, is far deeper than something so meaningless.”

Weylind opened his mouth as if to protest, but Leyleira held up a hand, and Weylind sank back into his seat.

Essie struggled to keep her smirk off her face. Only Leyleira could put Weylind in his place like that.

“Happiness, like love, is the choice to dwell on the deeper joy, deeper contentment. Some, like our dear Elspetha, are born with the ability to do this without a second thought. Some have to learn to do this through a lot of struggle. It is, after all, what Farrendel went to Escarland to learn.” Leyleira’s eyebrow lifted as she glanced from Weylind to Farrendel, and even though the piercing gaze wasn’t focused on her, Essie squirmed. “And did you learn it, sasonsheni?”

“Yes. At least, I am beginning to learn it.” Farrendel shifted in his seat next to Essie, as if he, too, was unable to sit still under his grandmother’s sharp gaze.

“Good.” Leyleira’s face lit with a smile. “Then the correct question to ask is if this degree will make you a better person. A better brother. A better warrior. A better prince. A better husband. And, someday, hopefully, a better father. If you believe that this will make you better able to fulfill whatever calling you are given in your life, and you obviously have thought through the logistics of your decision, then that is all I need to know.”

“Thank you, Machasheni.” Farrendel’s smile was genuine, even if Essie could see the hints of strain in it.

It was time to take the focus of the conversation away from Farrendel so that he could have a minute to gather his bearings.

Since Essie had known they’d have a long trip on the train, she’d kept the bag with the mugs with her. On the Escarlish train, she had spent the few hours before she had gone to sleep putting the packets of hot chocolate in each mug and wrapping the whole parcel.

Now, she pulled out the bag and grinned. “Farrendel and I thought it would be nice to give all of you a little piece of Escarland.”

Farrendel sank back against the bench, and through the heart bond, she could feel his relief. Yep, it was definitely time for her to take the attention onto herself.

While Averett crossed his arms and watched with a smirk on his face, Essie distributed the gifts. All the mugs had a large tree on the side, though each mug was a different color. They had a packet of cocoa mix and instructions in elvish on how to properly prepare a cup.

Leyleira inspected her dark purple mug with that approving gleam in her eyes again.

“This is lovely.” Jalissa traced the tree design on her light purple mug, a smile twitching her mouth for the first time that trip.

“Yes, thank you for your thoughtfulness.” Rheva gave Essie one of those soft smiles of hers as she held her light blue mug in both hands.

“Oh, and, Weylind, you seem to have left this on the table in the parlor, so I brought it along for you.” Essie didn’t bother trying to hide her smirk as she pulled out the green and white elf ear mug that Weylind had, indeed, left on the coffee table as if hoping to conveniently lose it. She held it out to him. “Here you go.”

Weylind gave the mug a sour glare and made no move to take it from her.

Rheva snorted softly and took the mug. “Thank you, Elspetha, for helping my forgetful husband.”

Weylind’s mouth worked, and he looked about ready to launch into another coughing fit. “Perhaps we can find some cupboard in our room to store this...thing.”

Rheva met Essie’s gaze over the rim of the hideous mug, her eyes twinkling even as her expression remained blank. “No, I was thinking a shelf in your study would show proper appreciation for the artisans of our esteemed Escarlish allies.”

Now Weylind looked positively green.