Chapter 312: Something in the Woods
Sitting at breakfast, Evanna and Arawn kept exchanging glances, their smiles mostly hidden but not quite wholly. The servants and their friends around them watched, their eyes crinkling at the pair who were obvious in their bubble of newlywed bliss. The king sat, as usual, like a stoic statue, even as he entertained Princess Loraven by his side. She had been entertaining him in the time their children had been away; to the elven princess, she’d been merely catching up and enjoying his company. It had been a long time since she spoke with someone so similar to her thoughts.
Although they disagreed many years ago with her choice, it was apparent now he had changed his mind, most likely after accepting Loraven’s daughter as his daughter-in-law. Still, Loraven enjoyed spending time with an old friend and greeting others she had not seen in a long time, like the old man in the library. Now, with the cutlery clinking, voices low and the sunlight streaming into the beautiful breakfast room with Evanna’s friends, humans, fae and elves alike, Loraven’s eyes became misty. This was what Selvin wanted, and their daughter was on the same path whether she knew it or not.
"Loraven?" Thalinal whispered, some concern shown on his furrowed brow, the only emotion shown this morning.
Loraven waved him off, blinking away the tears and looking down at her meal. "*Tis nothing.*"
"*If you say so,*" Thalinal replied, though he was not convinced. He followed where her gaze had been looking earlier, wondering what troubled her thoughts. Evanna sat next to Arawn, and on her other side was Fiza, a very unlikely fae that she befriended. They spoke secretly amongst each other, even as Evanna’s hand remained interlinked with Arawn’s. His son was speaking to Garrett on his other side. The brute initially refused to sit by his side, wishing to stand for his duty as he should, but Arawn insisted.
Finishing their meal, Evanna sighed after Arawn bid her good day. His expression hardened as he turned away, Garrett speaking by his side. The prince had to check the forest around them. Though they’d had a grand wedding, one that others did travel to watch, Direwood truly was not safe. The faceless were walking among the other creatures in the woods, and they had to fight them off. The Flori were unaware of how many were left, but the more they killed, the better.
Evanna would join them, but Fiza was leaving, so she would spend her time with her. Surprisingly, Fiza had turned into quite an ally and, dare she say, a friend? The rest of the morning, the pair walked and spoke of fae magic in the gardens. Evanna provided an umbrella for Fiza, whose eyes were squinting too much because of the sun. The princess was curious about Fiza’s home, where they worked and lived during the night and slept during the day.
She was in the middle of imagining what it looked like until Fiza created a small image before them. It shimmered, golden sparkles swarming around the circular image that revealed a land in the night, flowers and trees luminous and fae, either as dark as night or with a purple, navy-hued skin crouching in the bushes, spears in hands, approaching a creature that must be their prey. They were hunting. Evanna’s eyes were alight with enjoyment at such a discovery.
All too soon, it was gone. "I must go now, princess. Next time, it won’t be free," Fiza winked, reminding Evanna how the fae worked. Nothing is for free, and never to be in debt to a fae.