“Well, I could make a comment about dwarves running their mouths off and spending all of their days hiding in the ground like grubby moles . . . but that would be beneath me,” Einan said slyly.
I pinched my lips together to hold back my mirth.
Within a few candle marks, we had made it to the outer wards of the Northern Woods. Snow no longer covered the ground. Winter had faded away, and the air was warm with the scent of spring. There was a long line of ash trees, and I knew we were about to cross over into the hidden realm.
My heart raced as I got excited at the prospect. I loved the hidden elven realm of the Northern Woods. Few humans ever got to enter because you could only find the realm and pass through the magic veil unless an elf accompanied you.
We drew closer, and the scouts before me all walked through the tree line. They shimmered and then disappeared. Einan held out his arm to me, and I politely placed my hand on top of his as he escorted me through the veil of magic.
My body tingled as magic kissed my skin, the feeling akin to butterfly wings racing over my face. The scent of plumeria flowers tickled my nose and my tongue tasted of sweet honey.
Everyone’s experience as they passed through the veil was different. Some could feel the warmth, others only got a hint of a faint scent. When I passed through the veil, my body drank deep of the magic and reacted differently. No other had responded to so many of their senses being triggered. Which made me another enigma.
As I stepped over to the other side, tears fell from my eyes.
Einan looked at my glistening face. His finger reached out and touched my wet cheeks. “I’ve never crossed with you before. Is this a common occurrence?” He held up his wet fingertips.
I didn’t hide the smile. “Always . . . every time.” I wasn’t ashamed of how I reacted to their magic. I loved it. I wished it were mine.
He seemed perplexed by my tears. The first time I’d passed over as a child, Lorn had thought I was sick because I’d immediately begun to wail and cry because I’d wanted to go back inside the veil.
I still cried with each passing through the veils, but not as dramatically as I had back then. I had gained control.
I took a deep breath and turned to face Northenial Woodfaelon Court, or, as the humans called it, Northern Woods.
We stood upon a cliff and overlooked a beautiful city made of glowing white stone, surrounded by rivers and streams that ran through it like watery tree roots. Elaborate natural-looking bridges made crossing the streams easy, and the air was always filled with the sound of a gently babbling brook. Across the city, a waterfall cascaded down from a mountain, and on either side, two great towers like half-moons arced toward each other, with the waterfall as the barrier between. There, the great council of elves met.
Einan and I crossed behind the scouts as we headed into the city. A trumpet blared, followed by a second and third, as they led a trail of waving blue flags up to the citadel where the council lived. It was always a thrill when the scouts returned. Many times they were gone for weeks on end, visiting the other three elven courts. Each of the elven courts settled where a ley line of magic erupted above the earth, creating what was known as a sacred hollow. The elves dedicated themselves to guarding the sacred hollow and hiding it behind a veil of magic. That was how the elven realms were created, and the families and clans protected them.
Northern Woods was run by a high council made up of ambassadors from each of the clan’s oldest families. Most neutral in their beliefs and training, they were considered the peacemakers.
Farther south in Sion were the southern elves of the Thornhaven Court.
Then across the seas, further than the kingdom of Isla, was the Lightwood Court. I’d heard Rulah brag many times about being the daughter of one of the council members.
Then there was the Wynterbrook Court; a gentle drove of elves high in the mountain’s eastern edge of the kingdom of Rya.
I was almost lost among the hustle and bustle of the crowds as we passed under another tree bridge and headed farther into the realm. It felt odd to be here without Lorn. Like I was trespassing. Over the years, the tree roots were nurtured and grew into the archways for homes. I passed Lorn’s, but the lights were dark within. Where was he?
One by one, as others peeled off and headed to their own trees, I turned to head into the smaller tree next to Lorn’s that had always been assigned to me when we passed through. I slowed to turn up to the path to my room and called out.
“Einan, there’s something I must speak to you about. It’s about an attack not far from here.”
“We’ve received word about the werewolf attack already, as well as others. It is quite troubling,” Einan responded, his brows lowering. “We believe the leader is the son of Allemar.”
“How? I mean, who told you?”
“I did.” Percy stepped out of the shadows, and my heart skipped a beat. His arm was dressed, and I could see blood marring the fresh bandage. “I felt it imperative to return and warn them.”
I nodded. Of course he would have notified them. He may not have been a scout anymore, but his training and loyalty were still evident.
“We are already adding more troops to our borders,” Einan said. “And Lorn has gone to seek council with the elders.”
“What is to be done?” I asked.
“Honor, this is not an elven matter. We know better than to interfere where we are not welcome, nor invited, because it can be seen as starting a war. But it is a growing concern, nonetheless. I will speak with the council and discuss our further actions regarding this threat.”
“What about Lorn? We must get word to him.”
Einan bowed his head. “I will see to it that your guardians are notified right away so they know that you are safe here with us.”
Guardians. A strange word indeed. Even though they were not married, I did consider Lorn to be my father, and Lorelai was my mother. I watched them fall in love, knew they cared for each other deeply, and wondered what held them back from declaring their love for each other.
“Thank you once again for your hospitality,” I said to Einan. “I will stay through the Affinity Ceremony, then be on my way. You can tell them that.”
Einan didn’t say goodbye—elves never did. He turned on his heel and headed to speak with the elven council. I knew they didn’t make decisions hastily. It could be days or weeks before they agreed on what the course of action would be regarding this new menace. They may not concern themselves at all. It was a human matter, for elves could not be turned into werewolves.
When Einan left, I was left alone with Percy.
“Honor,” he called my name softly. “I’m sorry I left. I had to return and get word to my brethren.”
“You don’t need to explain. It’s your duty as a scout. I did the same. I never looked for you, either. I took care of Polina and her family.”
Percy took a step closer to me, and we could almost see eye to eye. I was tall and almost as lean as some of the elven women. If it weren’t for my ears and unassuming hazel eyes, I could probably pass for one.
“We did our duty,” he said, as if trying to convince himself, but I could hear the guilt in his voice. He fidgeted with the leather bracer he wore on his right wrist as though it were uncomfortable. It wasn’t odd to see elves with bracers, except Percy and Ardax always wore them.