Chapter 7: Crossing Lines

Violet lay in bed, waiting for Jasmine's knock. She'd been awake for hours, replaying her carriage ride home with the king.

With Eden.

The Monarch's name was sacred, not a thing to pass the lips of a commoner without a title to protect it, yet he'd made an exception for her. She knew she'd been right to mark him dangerous when they met. With exceptions like this, who knew what lines he could get her to cross? She knew who she was, despite her magic: a girl from Eloy. Reaching for more than that was an invitation to trouble.

Her father's words still rang in her ears. "There is no place for an ungrateful upstart in my home. Take your power and go." Her mother didn't say anything, just clung to her father's arm as if afraid of Violet. As if she hadn't been their daughter for the past twenty-two years.

She would serve King Eden, but she would not allow the closeness of last night to happen again.

Jasmine's gentle knock came from the hall.

"Come in," Violet called.

***

With the rain rituals concluded for a time, the council was eager for Eden's attention on their agendas. Once again, Violet was present, irritating the council members, which brought an unmistakable grin to Petros' face.

Lord Lennox was in the middle of a speech. "And that is why leaving the palace broken is a symbol of the brokenness of our people's bond with their rulers. Allowing the repairs to halt is tantamount to sanctioning a rebellion!"

Petros cleared his throat. "Isn't it your estate that provides the harvested starlight the palace uses in their walls, Lord Lennox? After all, the skies are remarkably clear from your lands."

The older elf huffed. "What are you insinuating?"

"Nothing," Petros replied, giving a sly wink to Eden. "My lord, those diamonds at your throat are incredible. Are they new?"

Lennox folded his arms over his chest.

"What of the protections for our borders?" Eden asked, redirecting the meeting. "Curzon cannot continue crossing over without consequences. Nor can the rest of our enemies."

Lord Erris, an arrogant elf with eyes permanently narrowed in suspicion, unfurled a map onto the council table. "I have a plan, my king. There is reason to suspect the outlying villages of sympathizing with our enemies and helping them cross the borders. These are the same villages where blood elves have been welcomed into our country. I propose we move into these villages, detain the rebels, and cut off the Blood King's ties before they further infect."

Violet gasped at the outrageous suggestion. She knew blood elves in Eloy and they were farmers exactly like her family. They didn't drink blood because they didn't have any magic. Only the royal and noble blood elves drank blood. Lord Erris was dancing with ignorance like it was love at first sight.

The lords glared at her, but Eden ignored the outburst.

"Those people are part of my kingdom, Lord Erris. What evidence do you have against them?"

"My spies have reported rumors of a magic user born among the commoners," Erris answered. "They say she fled to Ipsit. Curzon could have her in his possession even now, ready to launch an attack. Who knows what other weapons the blood elves are lying in wait to throw at us?"

Fear wrapped around the throats of the lords. Violet wanted to melt into the darkened glass wall behind her. Petros stole a glance at her but Eden kept his gaze fixed on Erris.

"So, you have nothing but rumor and superstition. Neither of which I welcome at my court," Eden said. "Are there any real answers to our problem?"

"Your bodyguard is from the borderlands, cousin," Petros said. "Why doesn't she give it a go?"

If he hadn't been royal, Violet would've strangled Petros. As soon as the words left his mouth, all the lords took note of her as never before. Sizing up an enemy in their midst. Lord Erris most of all.

Eden didn't look pleased either, but he motioned for Violet to step out of the shadows. "You've already saved my life twice. What do you think I should do, Violet?"

Another line crossed.

Kings didn't ask for their bodyguards' opinions. Particularly not in front of their seasoned advisors. But Violet refused to let someone like Erris put her home in danger.

"The border villages have been protecting themselves for a long time, my king. We know the difference between neighbors and enemies." She locked eyes with Erris. "The nobles you've tasked with safeguarding the borders use their magic on subjugating us rather than protecting your kingdom."

"Liar!" declared Lord Lennox.

"Watch your tongue in front of your king!" Lord Gregor shouted.

Eden held up a hand for silence. "Let her speak."

Violet took a deep breath—she'd gone too far to be quiet now. "Make it clear to them—by royal edict so they cannot deny it—that their magic can't be used for anything besides the defense of Basharr and the aid of the commoners in their care. You have defenses in place already. All you need to do is use them properly."

The lords all began talking at once, clearly offended by her words. She knew the nobles she spoke of were their stooges, all eager for a hand-out from the king's mighty advisors whether money or magic. A royal edict would change everything for her village and the rest on the borders. Magic wouldn't be used to promote the powerful anymore—it would help those it was meant to.

If Eden agreed.

He sat there for a few minutes as the lords raged on. His royal mask was on. Violet couldn't read him at all.

Finally, the lords quieted down.

Petros, who'd been chuckling to himself the entire time, clearly amused with the bickering, spoke up. "Well, King? What will you do?"

Eden rose, his height towering over the rest of the room. "My father established the border defenses. He knew Basharr's commoners were its most valuable asset. If we don't protect them, we will all fall." He turned to Petros. "Cousin, draft the edict and have it ready by the morning."

"Gladly, cousin!" Petros grinned.

"My lord, you're going to trust one woman's story for a major policy decision?" Lord Erris asked. "She would say anything to further her own interest."

Eden's voice turned to thunder. "You forget I've just returned from the border myself. I believe her. You, however, I'm trusting less and less by the minute, Erris."

The third line crossed.

If he kept this up, Violet would be kicked out of the kingdom by nightfall.

Erris scowled and swept from the room. The other lords followed his example.

"You certainly have a way with people," Petros remarked before leaving the council chamber as well.

"I'll have mountains of papers to sign after this," Eden said. "Escort me to my quarters. We can talk more there."

Violet didn't know what to say. He wanted to hear more from her? She hurried to catch up as his long strides took him down the hall.

"My king," she said, matching his strides. "I think you should let your advisors do their job. You've already heard all you need to from me."

"I'll be the judge of that," Eden replied, nodding to some giggling courtiers trying to catch his attention.

Just the distraction she needed.

"My king, you should relax. It's been a trying week. Ever since I got here, really." Maybe she shouldn't have pointed that out. Oh well. "Those women are eager for your company and—"

"Are you trying to get rid of me, Violet?"

"No, of course not."

"Is there someone else you'd rather be with?"

"No! It's just—"

"What?"

"You're making me uncomfortable!" she exclaimed.

They both stopped, trapped in a narrow, deserted corridor.

Eden's expression furrowed with concern. "Please explain."

"You keep crossing the line," she said. "I am your bodyguard. Not an advisor or soldier. Certainly not a court lady. I have no right to call you by your name or tell you what to do. You are the king, yet you make it seem as if I have those privileges."

"If I'm the king, can I not bestow privileges on those I choose?" he asked.

"Yes, but it's upsetting those who have been by your side much longer than I have. I am near you, my king, but I am not your equal."

"Who told you that?"

"What?"

Violet was startled by the question. She didn't know how to answer.

"Who put these ideas in your head that you are beneath others? They deserve prison."

"I... I don't know... it's just how I was raised. To know my place."

"Well, you're grown now. Stop believing everything you were told."

"I'm not sure I can do that. At least, not right away."

He shrugged, starting to walk again, glancing back at her over his shoulder. "Then I'll remind you every day until you can."

Another line crossed, but this one didn't bother Violet at all.