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Chapter 22: Clouds of Gold Dust
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The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 23: Finally An Equal
Basharr's prison was carved directly into the sheer sides of Blackwood Mountain. It was known as the Forbidden Wing of the palace. It anchored the brilliant glass of the palace to the stone the capital was built on. Violet had never been before and now her first time was as a resident, with shackles around her wrists. She stumbled over the uneven rock floor."Keep walking," Dana growled.The captain had decided to personally escort her."I really don't deserve such special attention," Violet said flatly. "I would hope you had better things to do than put innocent people in cells.""You expect me to believe Queen Chione buried herself in a pile of gold. I'm not kind-hearted like the king—I have no tolerance for your stories.""I was defending myself. Don't I have that right, even if my attacker is royal?"Dana scoffed. "Even a borderlander like you knows assaulting a member of any royal house is forbidden. The fact you did it as The Eye lets me toss you in the deepest, darkest cell we h
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 24: Suddenly Vulnerable
Violet's day in court dawned laden with rain and wind. Sunlight barely made it to the earth, leaving a gray shroud over everything. The palace burst with noble guests from both Basharr and Parvara, setting the gossip off like wildfire through the halls.King Eden had changed Queen Chione's plan last minute, cutting off the gluttonous courtiers from their hoped-for meal by holding the trial in the council chamber. Only a select group of nobles would act as judges and witnesses to Violet's case, with the King and Queen having final say.Captain Dana walked Violet through the palace corridors, dozens of judgmental courtier eyes on her and her shackles."That's what happens when a commoner is raised above their station," tutted Baroness Helaine, fresh in from Eloy for the spectacle."Now the freak will get what she deserves," Odessa crooned, making a slicing motion across his throat as Violet walked by."I couldn't agree more," Dana hissed in her ear.Other courtiers stepped back when Viol
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 25: An Empty Throne Room
Dusk drizzled its brilliant sunset over the capital. Fiery oranges and blushing pinks melted into the star-touched velvet of night. Violet and Eden sat on the edge of the dais in the throne room, both watching the ever-changing sky.Such a peaceful finish to a day that threatened so much more.Wedding decorations surrounded Eden and Violet on every side. Empty chairs for guests that had all begun their journey home. Wilting flowers hung overhead; bruised petals littered the aisle. The festive ribbons Violet had grown to despise drooped lifelessly now."I'm so glad I'm not married right now," Eden sighed, fracturing the quiet."I'm glad I don't have to sleep in that cell again. My back couldn't take another night," Violet replied.They looked at each other before smiles erupted on both their faces."I know I just lost every ally I had and my bride betrayed me but right now I can't bring myself to feel anything but relief," Eden said."I can't wait to tell the girls at Darrow's that I ke
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 26: Dark Depths
The Storm King had declared Violet his sovereign. He relinquished his crown to her. She liked this newfound power. A magic made from the two of them alone.Eden's hand trailed up her thigh. His lips followed the curve of her neck, each kiss pressed deeper into her skin. He leaned against the foot of his throne as she straddled him, hands moving for the ties on his tunic.One by one she undid the strings. When she touched his bare chest magic rippled through her. Visions of soaring cumulus darkening to thunderheads. Their anvil shapes stacked on top of each other. Wind stirred the clouds, gathering them into massive funnels that sliced through the rain.Violet felt herself being carried away in the arms of the tempest."Violet," Eden's voice called her back.Her eyes cleared. His own returned to their calm amber. He'd moved her hands onto the safety of his shirt."I didn't mean to do that," she said quietly, embarrassment blooming red on her cheeks."Where do you go when you channel my
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 27: Practice Is Over
The noose Curzon stretched around Basharr was tightening. Neve, Buhen, and Basharr were all that stood between the Blood King and total conquest of the elven realms. She and Eden couldn't afford to practice their magic anymore—war beckoned them on."Are you nervous?" Eden asked.They were on the palace grounds, an entire squadron of soldiers recruited from the capital and the closest nobles' estates around them. They were setting out to defend the kingdom and meet with more soldiers along the way. Curzon had launched an assault on more of the border towns, overpowering the nobles there, and no one wanted to hide anymore."Better to meet Curzon head-on than wait here for him," Violet replied."My thoughts exactly," Eden replied, flashing her a quick smile.He got on his horse and rode off to coordinate with his new captain, a charming elf from Oro Valley, Eloy's neighboring town, named Augustus Boswell. A vast improvement on exiled Captain Dana since he didn't instantly hate Violet.So
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 28: Spending The Night
"Don't even think about turning around," Florian said, as Violet sat on her bed facing the wall.He was taking off his uniform to sleep in his underclothes. It was the best deal they could come up with, given what a tight space they were in."Trust me, not a problem," Violet replied, legs crossed and hands holding her ankles. "Are you done yet?""What's the rush? Do you miss my face already?"Violet fought the desire to roll her eyes. "Yes, Florian, your incredible face is all that gets me through the day. Such beauty.""Knew it," he chuckled.She heard some rustling then the other bed creaked under his weight."Finished," he said.She turned, hanging her legs off the side of the bed. Florian was laying down, one arm behind his head, shirtless with his eyes closed. The sheets hung low to his waist. His brown hair gently framed his face. Violet raised her eyebrows—she had no idea he looked like that under the uniform."You done yet, Bellerose?"She removed her gaze from his tan skin and
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 29: Ambition And Desire
The bed of a king felt good.Violet woke slowly, stretching her arms out from under the blankets. One foot hung off the edge of the mattress. Pale light streaked the floor, skimming the curtain edges. She sat up, expecting to see Eden's lanky body in one of the chairs. They were both empty.But a hot breakfast rested on the table in between. She walked over on her tiptoes, avoiding the cool floor on her bare feet. Fresh bread and butter with eggs waited for her. The steam filtered through the morning air.Violet tore off a piece of bread, wiping away the butter from her chin. She went to the window, pushing aside the curtains to open the glass. Below, some soldiers were already up, tending to their horses and eating outside. Two were practicing their sword skills. The familiar twang of a bowstring drifted up to her ears. Florian had set up a makeshift target and was coaching five soldiers.More arrows found the target while Violet munched on her scrambled eggs. Two of the maids hovere
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 30: Greet Your Dead
Eden dragged a thunderstorm behind him.Violet watched the clouds build, swelling with rain. Their dark underbellies marched across the land, overtaking everything. Ahead of the squadron a wall of thick smoke barred their vision. Violet knew this area—they were entering the borderlands—but she hardly recognized it.An unnatural mist, one that Eden couldn't control, wove through the trees, undercutting the smoke and eating the sunlight. Farms sat deserted. Sheep and cattle wandered, abandoned in the panic of Curzon's attacks. Violet wanted to run from it herself—something about the mist stole the breath from her lungs."What is all this smoke?" Violet asked.Eden's face was grim. "Curzon's dead have a habit of torching homes on their way back to Ipsit. The nobles defending the border haven't been able to douse the flames—they think the dead have brought it with them from the grave.""So their fire is as undead as they are?""It looks that way," Captain Augustus said.The three of them r
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The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 50: The Coronation Vows
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
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 49: One Last Thing
***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
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 48: Dispelling the Dead
It was time to head home. Basharr was waiting.Eden and Violet set out with Chione, Hestia, Olivia, and Raegan in tow. They took the southern bridge, devoid of life and burnt, to honor the four soldiers that fell before the resurrected Monarchs.A few moments of silence reminded Violet how many more had been sacrificed by Curzon on the altar of his pride. The elven kingdoms wouldn't heal overnight from so many losses. She looked over at Eden—it was their job now to make sure those who remained felt safe in their homes whether they were blood or high elf."There are dead ones at the end of the bridge," Eden said quietly, nodding toward the gathered pale figures. They blocked the end of the bridge and filled the streets into Ipsit's capital. Some were spirits; others were living blood elves hosting a spirit. They were armed but all of their swords hung loose from their hands. They looked weary."They want to go home," Violet said, getting off her horse.She walked up to the waiting spir
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 47: To Be Loved
Curzon's death was quiet.The Bastion didn't crumble. The dead didn't disappear. No one knew the war was over. Violet, Eden, and their allies weren't free of Curzon's deeds yet.But in that still moment with the sun streaming on her face and Eden beside her, Violet let the victory wash over her. Every muscle, each bone, deserved to know that he would never touch her again. He could never harm her or the people she cared about. She approached Eden who still stood near Curzon's body. He hadn't stopped staring since he bit the Blood King.She touched his arm. "Eden?"He startled at her voice and backed away from her, his expression dark. There was blood all over him—his hands, his tunic, even specks on his trousers. He looked like he'd been dragged through carnage. "Don't get close to me," he said."What do you mean? Why?""I—I'm a Blood Monarch. I fed on him.""You saved Hestia and Olivia—you saved all of us," Violet answered.He searched her face, confusion etched on his brow. "You do
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 46: Having It All
The great chamber filled with black storm clouds. Wind picked up, blowing out the candles and tearing at the wooden paneled room. Lightning danced from cloud to cloud. Eden stood beneath it all, robed in mist. His gold gaze pierced through the tumult.He brought down lightning strike after strike down on Curzon. The Blood King smoked. His body thrashed under the electrical current and Violet heard him gasp for air. Eden brought down the fifth strike and Curzon lay still. His eyes were closed and he didn't seem to be breathing.Eden descended the dais, aiming for Violet, but Curzon's eyes flared open and he jumped to his feet. "I'm the King of the Dead," he crowed. "You cannot kill me."He stood between Eden and Violet while Violet faded away. Reigniting Eden's magic had been too much for her. The little bit of strength she possessed was with him now. Eden saw her struggling."Step aside," he commanded Curzon, lightning twisting around his arms up to his shoulders.The gold never left
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 45: Not What We Planned
Smoke filled Violet's lungs.Fire lashed The Bastion, leaving behind charred shadows.Violet felt empty. Magic had left carefully carved basins inside of her since she left Eloy, etched by pieces of royal souls. Eden had excavated her the deepest, but Raegan opened entirely new possibilities. Scratches of Chione, Dalyla, Caiphas, and Rabiah would soon wear away. Curzon had tried to forge her in his own image but failed.As Violet lay in a pool of her own spent power, she wished for one more chance to feel Eden's ancient storm power. To feel the rain beat against her skin and the thunder rumbling in his voice. It was the only resurrection she needed.But she was alone and her heart struggled against the rest of her body's desire to finally sleep.Her mind wandered as metal creaked behind her. The thought that someone might be there occurred to her but she was too weak to care. Too far gone to notice the sun rising on her left."Violet Bellerose, you waited for me."Curzon appeared befor
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 44: Unfinished Business
Raegan shifted into her falcon form with a flash of golden light. Her screech sent shivers through the dead horde. The moment of distraction gave Violet the chance to draw two arrows and fire them into the spirits. At the same time Raegan flew through the dead ones, her razor-sharp gold wings slicing at their faces.A sliver of a path cleared through the dead ones and Violet took it. She dodged two blades. Tucked and rolled between the legs of one spirit. Dalyla was ahead of Violet, overseeing her fellow dead from The Bastion's gates amid the flames Rabiah had left behind.A soul stepped between Violet and her goal."You," Violet fumed, recognizing the same enormous brute who kidnapped her at Toreva. "We have unfinished business."The hollow eyes remained unresponsive, but he raised his sword and tried to strike Violet. She jumped to the side, colliding with another dead one. She tried to stab Violet, too. Three more joined in, surrounding Violet.The moment of distraction was over. V
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 43: Meet The Shifter
Violet tipped two of her arrows into the fire burning out at her feet. "You four keep them distracted," she commanded the soldiers across the bridge. She turned to Hestia, Olivia, and Sky, "You three with me."The eight attacked. Violet launched her arrows at Rabiah. They turned to ash when they got close to the Queen. The four soldiers went down with terror at Caiphas' hand, writhing on the bridge.Dalyla's hands were covered in familiar cobalt powder with her gaze riveted to Violet."Don't let her touch you!" Violet declared."The powder will turn you manic," Sky said before Violet could.The boy picked two small knives from his waist and flung them at the queens. Rabiah melted the blades with a blast. Hestia and Olivia charged the queens, their daggers flashing.Sky was about to join when Violet pulled him back. She was about to ask how he knew about the powder but her hand brushed the bare skin of his collarbone and Violet felt magic rumbling beneath the surface. Something was diff
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 42: Fighting On All Fronts
Toreva had become the headquarters for what remained of Basharr's fighting force. The western edge of the plundered town swelled with tents, horses, and soldiers all under Captain Augustus' command. Despite the devastation, it was still the easiest pass between Ipsit and Basharr and had to be defended. Florian brought Violet, Hestia, and Olivia to Augustus."He's the senior officer," Florian explained. "You've convinced my men, but we can't abandon Augustus. If he gives his permission, then we'll follow you into Ipsit.""I understand," Violet replied, searching Florian's steady gaze. "It doesn't seem I've convinced you, though."He shook his head and sighed. "I said I would go with you. Let that be enough."Florian moved to guide her up the hill to Augustus' tent but Violet stopped him, done with the game they kept playing with each other. "You're angry with me. Why won't you just say it?""How can I be mad? We don't owe each other anything," he answered."I'm aware of that," she said,
