***One Month LaterGarlands of olive branches and daisies swept through Basharr's palace. The animated statues played music constantly. Courtiers and attendants hustled to brush gold leaf across the palms of every visitor. It was meant to show the prosperity all elves would share under Eden and Violet's reign.The grounds were filled with eager eyes, ready to glimpse the coronation of the new Monarchs of Basharr and Ipsit. The other elven realms like Eilon, Neve, and Kash had already signed treaties to join their lands to Basharr as allies. The throne room sat waiting, draped in swathes of white lace and linen, with orange and olive trees as a backdrop to the two thrones now on the dais.Violet could hardly believe one was to be hers. But she'd watched the workers bring it in herself. After they left Eden had shown her the secret release on the side where her bow and quiver could be kept."I know my queen can't be without her favorite toys," he teased."You know me well, my king," Viol
All of Basharr and Ipsit seemed to have packed into the capital. And all the other kingdoms had sent representatives to the coronation, turning the city into a rainbow of celebration. As many of those people as possible now crowded into the palace and grounds, packing the corridors and throne room.Violet stood next to Eden. He wore matching white silk trousers and tunic. The robe over them was edged with the same colorful streams of fabric Violet wore on her gown. His white hair hung loose over his shoulders, slightly brushed back from his face, leaving a few wisps of short hair dangling in his eyes. He was gorgeous, as always. But the crowd captivated Violet even more. Every face looked up at her. Without meaning to, she realized this was the life she'd been reaching for the moment she entered the capital. To find acceptance, love, and power. She'd fought hard, putting everything she had into the search and now—as she looked out at her people and looked across at her love—she realiz
Flashes of red and silver through the trees caught Violet Bellerose's eye. Horse hooves thundered through the forest underbrush. Startled deer and squirrels bounded ahead on either side of the riverbank. The punt kept its lazy course on the water."Faster!" she commanded the captain.He looked her dead in the eye and pulled the steering pole from the water. The small boat ran aground as horses emerged from the trees. Their riders bore the emblem of Ipsit—the neighboring kingdom to hers, Basharr.Violet reached for her bow, but the captain thrust the steering pole to her chest. "They'd rather you alive than dead, but I get paid for delivery either way.""You knew who I was this whole time," she guessed.He nodded, greed plastering his face. "News travels fast, especially when magic is involved."A new rider, tall and broad-shouldered, parted the sea of horses. His blue eyes shimmered in the sun, fixating on Violet with a hunger she knew only a blood elf could possess. His dark hair fell
"You live in a palace made of glass?"Violet stared up at the grand building, piercing through the clouds ensconcing Basharr's Blackwood Mountain. The rest of the city sprawled out below the palace, tucked safely behind great walls of black stone."It's perfectly safe. That glass is stronger than iron or stone and has housed my family for generations," Eden replied."At least my ancestors knew about privacy," Violet muttered, urging her horse forward.They made it to the gates. The black metal swung silently open, and Violet saw the courtyard for the first time.Colors burst from every corner. Wisteria trees draped the paths, offering a pastel canopy to the courtiers wandering about. Wild roses sprung from the edge of a small stream. A golden eagle perched in a cottonwood tree."Nothing is pruned or controlled," Violet noticed, dismounting to brush the painted face of a pansy flower."I control the rain, not what my land does with it. This way," Eden replied.The horses were taken to t
Violet and Eden ducked into a side entrance of the palace. Cries of terror echoed through the halls. Blue powder streaked the glass walls and hung in the air."Cover your face," Eden commanded, pulling his collar close. "Get the people who aren't infected out."Violet tugged the cream scarf from her hair and tied it around her face. Her curls cascaded down her back in a sea of onyx.Eden started to leave but Violet stopped him. "What are you going to do?""Find the assassin. Kill him.""Doesn't the assassin want to kill you? I mean, why else would they spread this mania through the court? And you want to go straight to them?"He met her gaze. "Can I trust you, Violet?"She nodded, pushing her lies out of her mind—they didn't make her less trustworthy. She hoped. "Yes, my king."He handed her his bow, eyeing the full quiver still strapped to her leg. "Keep the people safe. That's all that matters."He headed for the depths of the palace.Violet nocked an arrow to her bow. Carefully, she
"You can't wear that," Jasmine chided. "Try this."The maid had taken her rescue at Violet's hands very seriously and asked to be assigned to her to help Violet adjust to court life. If Violet had known she'd be turned into a frosted pastry in the process, she'd would've said no.Violet took the lavender silk with all its lace and pearls and tried not to grimace. "Jasmine, this is very kind, but I can't be a bodyguard in these dresses. I need trousers and a tunic. Like the men."Jasmine couldn't hide her disappointment. "Very well. I finished the black trousers last night. There's a matching black shirt. It might be tight fit—I couldn't get your measurements after you fell asleep."Violet dug the pieces out. "You made all this last night? Jasmine, you're amazing."The younger girl grinned. "They didn't have a uniform for a woman so I figured it was the least I could do." She took a step toward Violet. "You're still going to teach me how to shoot, right?""A promise is a promise," Viole
Fields of lavender stretched out on either side of the road. The soothing scent wrapped around the wheels and filtered through the open windows. Violet took a deep breath. She sat in the royal carriage, across from Eden who was consumed by a book on the origins of Basharr's drumming songs. More than one bookworm in the family, clearly.Petros had returned to the city, leaving Violet and Eden on their fifth and final visit to the villages. "Have you travelled much outside of Eloy?" Eden asked.Violet smirked. "Is it that obvious?"He closed his book. "I thought you were going to stick your head out of the window like a wild dog when we passed that field of roses."She laughed. "Anything to get rid of the stench that broccoli field left on the carriage."Both their noses wriggled at the recollection."I enjoy seeing the kingdom through fresh eyes," Eden said. "What has been your favorite part so far?""That's easy," Violet replied. "Every time the villagers put an instrument in your han
Violet and Eden stayed the rest of the day at Catalina, cleaning and talking with the villagers. There were fallen trees, waves of dried mud against the homes, and hail damage on every roof. Violet needed to rescue her arrow from the side of the tavern, too. Eden had left his crown in the carriage after the storm had blown it through the mud. Even without it he looked regal, too handsome to be chopping fallen trees."Now I understand why Catalina was never on the royal tour for rain rituals," Eden remarked to the village leader, Tamsen, taking a break on one of the split logs.He chuckled, clearly a bit nervous. "We did think it odd, my king, but who am I to question your edicts?""I appreciate the respect, but I'd always rather know the truth, Tamsen," Eden said, looking straight at Violet.She sighed and scraped another shovel full of mud from the side of a home. She couldn't believe Eden had the nerve to be mad at her when he was the one refusing to talk. All afternoon, he'd avoided