Page 31 of Keeper of the Word (The Unsung and the Wolf Duology #2)

Chapter

Twenty-Six

ELANNA

E lanna fled straight to the haven of the Delara upon their return to Castle Sidra, which, true to Hux’s promise, was a surprisingly uneventful experience.

Hux could talk, that was for certain. When they’d approached the main gate, the guards—shoulder to shoulder in blocking their passage—Hux pressed Elanna forward, removing her cap to spill out her golden hair at the same time.

As their mouths hung open, Hux gave a pretty speech about hoping no one noticed if they barred their entrance.

And wondered aloud, “what would the sovereign think about all this?”

When one guard still obstructed their entrance, Hux leaned forward and whispered something in his ear. The guard, slack mouthed and cheeks red, gave the order to open the gate.

Hux winked at him.

The guards stepped aside; Elanna was all too keen that their eyes followed them across the outer courtyard. But she’d prided herself on not touching her throat, at least. Would she ever not feel prone to do so when eyes fell upon her?

Her heartbeat hurried her through the corridors, Hux and the others quickening their pace to keep up.

She no longer thought of the knights’ gaze nor how in stars’ name Hux gained them entrance to the castle; she pondered the witch’s eyes that had fallen on her.

They had pressed upon her like cold steel, scraped over her from where the hidden countenance stood in the shadow of the alley.

She had not told the others of the witch.

She’d simply strode away, frantic to put as much distance between her and the witch as possible.

She did not know if the others sensed her terror, but right now, she couldn’t talk, couldn’t explain, couldn’t breathe.

The stars. She needed the stars. The veil of daylight was naught to her. Elanna needed Light.

Flinging herself onto the white marble floor of the Delara after shutting the doors on the others, Elanna let her breaths escape.

A witch.

Witches were not supposed to exist in Asalle. They’d been banished long, long ago to the Skyward Mountains beyond the far south border of Grenden.

She did not realize that she’d been sobbing until she noticed the front of her gown was damp. Her heart continued to pound.

What shall I do?

The door opened, and footsteps padded into the temple. Elanna tensed momentarily from the hand that rested on her back. She sat and stared into Hux’s dark eyes.

“What happened?” he asked.

“We should have never gone into the city.”

“That is not it. What happened?”

“You should not be in here.”

“Your sobs were too great to ignore. No one who cries like that should be alone.”

He offered her a kerchief, and she wiped her eyes.

“What happened?” he repeated.

“I fear that I must sort it out before I may say. I must seek the stars and their guidance. I must See what becomes of the path before us.”

Hux shook his head. “That’s the future, Elanna. What happened in the square? You tensed like a hunted hoshefer.” When she said nothing, he added, “You’re allowed to be human. To have human feelings.”

Elanna jerked her shoulder from his hand.

“Take heed. I know that you hail from another land, but I am not like others. I am an ordained being, and I have no place to wallow in self-pity or fear or”—her head dropped into her hands as her sobs renewed—“or unease about what happened in Tam’s Ford. You must understand…”

Hux drew her into his arms and shushed her like she did with Maristel when the child was inconsolable.

“You are allowed to be human, Lady, because you are human. And what happened to you in Tam’s Ford was a heinous and vile thing.

I am quite surprised you haven’t fallen to pieces before now.

Shows your strength as a human. But”—he gently drew her away so they met each other’s eyes—“take heed yourself. Have your feelings. Because they may swallow you otherwise, and you may find trouble in your”—he scanned the height of the Delara’s ceiling—“duties.”

Elanna focused on Hux’s hand upon her shoulder.

She craved to be back in his arms. To be enveloped in the warmth of another soul.

But the sunlight streaming through the open ceiling was forging her aura once more, fading the dark gaze of the witch, which had carried along the memory of Tam’s Ford.

Elanna could bathe here in the brightness.

She could do without leaning on the dark-eyed Deogolian. Precisely as a StarSeer should.

She wiped her eyes. “As I said, you should not be in here.”

Hux narrowed his eyes and dropped his hand. A curt nod followed, and he exited, shutting the door behind him. She did not gaze back. She dared not.

The gaiety of the day dwindled into the background. Honeyed seeds. Examining fine cloth. Watching puppetry shows. How could Elanna have made the decision to leave the sovereign’s castle? What possessed her to make such a rash and ill-formed decision?

She rubbed a spot on the back of her hand, still sticky from the honey. There was no room for frivolity in Elanna’s existence. The only thing that mattered was her duties to the realm. She would not forsake those again .

Well after dark, Elanna picked herself up, her knees screaming in pain. She had ignored the floor pillow as a self-punishment. But calmness coursed through her. Even with the knowledge of the witch in the city. She would work out what to do. Nay, she would be guided on what to do.

When she opened the door, Joss and Barrett stood in the courtyard. They abruptly stopped talking and stepped away from each other.

“I am sorry to have kept you loitering here for so long. You must be famished.”

“You must be famished, m’lady,” Joss said, straightening and keeping her eyes forward.

“Where is Hux?” Elanna asked.

“He left some hours ago, m’lady,” Barrett said, “after he exited the Delara.”

“M’lady, I am most sorry I did not stop us from leaving the castle this morning. I forgot myself, and it shall ne’er?—”

“’Tis all right, Joss. Let us not speak of that again. Truly. I am well.”

“Very well, m’lady.”

The three walked to the Crown Hall.

“’Tis not far past suppertime,” Joss said, as they made their way. ’Twas clear she searched for something else to speak about.

They reached an intersecting corridor; arguing voices halted them in their tracks. One voice was that of King Rian.

“Your lack of trust in me is maddening,” another voice returned. Prince Dashiell.

“Quiet. This is entirely inappropriate. Let us speak after we’ve dined. In the solar where there aren’t prying ears.”

The three exchanged looks.

“If you trust me, why are you hastening the wedding to the Prodigal Moon?” Dashiell continued, ignoring his father.

“’Tis better this way. Then you may have the rest of the summer season to honeymoon.”

Dashiell’s response was low and indistinguishable .

“’Tis your duty, son. This day was your fortune’s path from the moment you were born.”

Whatever else Dashiell said was indiscernible. The conversation ended and the Great Hall’s doors opened, spilling out the murmur from within. Footsteps approached them.

Joss’s eyes widened as she scanned the corridor as if searching for a place to hide. But Elanna proceeded walking and, at the corner, let Dashiell collide into her.

He flinched. “Stars in heaven! Oh, Lady Elanna.” He inclined his head. Three knights appeared around the corner behind him. His guard, evidently.

Strange, Elanna thought. Dashiell didn’t have guards upon my arrival. And where is Karro, his man-at-arms?

“Your Highness. ’Tis good to see you.”

Dashiell regarded her without fondness at first, but transformed into a diplomatic smile. “And you. Are you well? Enjoying your time at court?”

“I’ve hardly been at court, Your Highness. The Delara is where I spend my time.”

A picture of Dashiell kneeling beside her in the Delara flashed before her. “Do you e’er find yourself in the Delara, Your Highness?”

“Not frequently, I am sorry to admit to a StarSeer.” He gave a carefree laugh.

“I am often there,” Elanna said. The words were odd in her ears. She had not meant to say them. “I would enjoy your company on the morrow if you have the time.”

Dashiell examined her curiously. “Mayhap. If you’ll excuse me, m’lady.”

Elanna’s eyes trailed after him and his guards, the calmness fleeing her. ’Twas nothing, she reminded herself. Dashiell had agreed to the wedding. The conversation they’d overheard gave no indication that she should fear anything. But?—

“Well, what do we make of all that?” Hux said, emerging into the corridor, ’twould seem, from a place of hiding.

“Where did you materialize from?” Barrett asked in an effort to conceal his alarm.

“From a place of many talents.” Hux winked. “But, in earnest, what do you make of that, Lady? I noted that your demeanor transformed in the middle of your conversation.”

“Did you?” Elanna asked, meeting his gaze. She’d been told ’twas near impossible for others to sense when StarSeers recalled visions from the stars.

“Aye.” Hux stared at the end of the corridor where Dashiell had disappeared. “Right, then.” He nodded at Joss and Barrett. “You two have everything from here? I shall make an effort to meet you all later at our site in the gardens.” Hux headed in the direction the prince had gone.

Joss muttered under her breath. After his stunt today, Elanna couldn’t blame the dame’s hostility. Besides, her concentration was on Hux’s behavior.

“What do you make of Hux’s sudden appearance?”

“M’lady, I would hate to speculate.”

“Pardon,” a voice called. “Have you seen—” He ceased speaking when Elanna turned.

A Warin stood there. He was tall and muscular. His sandy hair peeked out from his uniform cap, and his stiff silver-colored tunic formed a formidable image. He was one of the new Warins, as evident by the yellow band wrapped around his left arm.

“Elanna?”

Though she scarcely believed it, Elanna would recognize her brother anywhere.

“Daved? Daved!” She closed the gap between them but stopped short of embracing him. He put his hands on her shoulders.

“Oh my stars! Elanna! I heard the report that there was a StarSeer here, but I’d no idea ’twas you!”

Joss and Barrett joined them, probing Elanna with inquisitive glances.

“Joss, Barrett, this is Daved, my brother.”

The three greeted each other warmly.

“Knights of the Order of Siria?” Daved asked .

“Nay. Joss is knight-captain to the Earl of Askella, and Barrett is one of his highly-ranked knights.”

“Askella?” Daved shifted his stance. “Elanna, what is going on? Only the Order of Siria is supposed to accompany StarSeers if there’s need for travel.”

Elanna crossed her arms. “You may be my older brother still, but I am a grown woman now. And, as you mentioned, a StarSeer. I’m not often questioned.”

Daved’s face went slack. “Elanna, you misunderstand me. I’m not seeking to question you. Merely understand. The Wolf has only recently been welcomed back into the realm, and now he’s…guarding you?”

“Aye.” She left it at that.

Joss glared in defense of her earl.

“Very well. I shall ask no more. Stars, ’tis been an age. I’ve never ceased thinking of you or asking myself if I made the correct decision that day when I took you to the constable.” He dropped his head. “I only knew that I wouldn’t be able to care for you. And with father…”

“You did make the correct decision, Daved.” Elanna took his hand. “I am where I am supposed to be. And stars in heaven, you’re a Warin?”

“Only just. I’m at the end of my training. I hope. But, aye.” His chin rose. “I worked my way through the ranks—first through that of the Mara, then the realm’s military—and earned my recommendation to High Commander Dirk.”

Elanna beamed. “’Tis most wonderful to see you.”

“And you. I can scarcely believe you’re here at Castle Sidra. Stars! I must go. I’m expected at the council chambers.” He strode away, saying, “I shall find you again, Elanna, when I’m off duty.”

How curious . The stars had never shown that her path again crossed with Daved’s.