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Chapter 44: Unfinished Business
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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 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 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 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 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 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 1: Two Kings, One Girl
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
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 2: The Bodyguard Is Born
"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
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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,
