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Chapter 12: That's An Order
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The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 13: The Things We Say Over Pie
"Stand up straight. Rest your hand against the corner of your mouth," Violet instructed.She was at the back of the palace giving Jasmine an archery lesson as promised. The younger girl was not a natural, but Violet hadn't been either when she first started."Like this?" Jasmine looked back proudly and let her arrow fly without aiming.The barb arched through the sky and landed in one of the bushes lining the range."Oops."Jasmine's frame drooped with disappointment."You just need to work on your focus," Violet encouraged.Jasmine went fishing for the arrow in the bushes. When she came back up her thick curls had welcomed a host of leaves. Violet chuckled and started pulling them free."You're not focused, either," Jasmine pointed out. "Are you thinking about the summit?"Violet couldn't help looking up at the palace, wondering what kind of decisions Eden and his council were making. Everyone was still reeling from Curzon's appearance at the masquerade the night before. News was spre
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 14: Promises Given
Two weeks.Eden would be married in two weeks. Chione would be queen and their kingdoms would unite, bringing together the other Monarchs against Curzon. As a citizen of Basharr, Violet should've been thrilled. This was exactly what the kingdom needed from its king.It wasn't what Violet wanted, though, but she couldn't say that. Everything she wanted to tell Eden had to be bottled up, set aside to rot unsaid."Congratulations."Eden let out a wry laugh. "You don't mean that.""Yes, I do. This is what your parents wanted for you. That's good, isn't it?"Something strange was passing over Eden. His face bore an expression Violet struggled to identify."I have spent my entire life dedicated to this kingdom," he said, slouching back in the kitchen chair. "Everything I possessed I poured into it without reservation. I never regretted it because I knew it was the right thing to do. Until now." He looked at Violet. "If this was any other way to save lives, I would do it, Violet, I swear.""T
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 15: Reasons To Stay
"What are you doing over here?" Jasmine whispered.She carried a tray of wine glasses for the banquet. Most of Basharr's nobles had turned up, from the lords down to the country barons, for the announcement and in order to be in a room together they preferred not to be sober."I'm guarding the king," Violet replied."From behind the orange tree?"Violet sighed, emerging from behind the potted tree. A dozen of them had been planted and wheeled into the throne room along with soaring bundles of golden wheat as symbols of the union between Basharr and Parvara."It's good cover," Violet said, trying to sound convincing."From who exactly?"Violet groaned. "Just go serve your wine, please.""You're fighting with the king again," Jasmine hissed triumphantly. "What is with you two and banquets?""I wish I knew.""Well, you can't stay here forever.""Why not?" Violet huffed."Because the king is headed this way right now.""What?"Jasmine darted off, wine sloshing, leaving Violet trapped betwe
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 16: Storm Battered
Someone's fist banged against Violet's door. One eye peeked open. Gray light filtered into her room. Whoever was out there clearly didn't know she was armed and grumpy.The knocks came again. Louder."Go away!""Open up, Violet," Eden whispered from the other side.She grabbed her pillow and tossed it at the door. Royalty or not, sleep was sacred."No!" she grumbled."Get out here."She groaned and pulled herself out of bed, curls tangled and squashed. She swung the door open and faced Eden."What?"He leaned against the door frame, looking exquisite. His long frame draped in pale blue trousers and a tunic loosely tied together, letting her catch sight of his chest and abdominal muscles. She fought the urge to reach up and ruffle his immaculate hair just to even things out a little. "Did you throw a pillow at me?""Sort of.""I'm your king."Her tongue sucked against her teeth. "Right now, you're a pain in my a*s. What do you want?"Eden pushed his way into her room. He scraped a pile
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 17: The Past Catches Up
The hour-long horseback ride to the palace took Violet to new heights of discomfort. The more they shared magic, the easier she sensed Eden. His steady breathing, his focused gaze, his stiff posture, all determined to stay away from her.She'd just trampled his heart, but at least he understood now. She couldn't remain in the city, maybe not even in Basharr. This was the best thing for both of them—Eden would be free to focus on Chione while Violet could move on from the Monarch."I have no idea how to do that," she muttered to herself, watching the king from behind.His hair was still drying under the cloudy sky. His linen clothes clung in wet patches to his skin. She could almost imagine him as another elf, not the Storm King, with no reason to marry someone he didn't want to. She smiled sadly at the thought. If there was one thing Eden could never be, it was ordinary.He pulled on the reins of his horse to slow down next to her. "I've been thinking where you can serve until the wedd
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 18: One Is All You Need
Violet tightened the straps on her quiver. The gold-tipped arrows seemed bland beneath the cloud cover. A storm loomed on the horizon—it had been there, threatening to drench the capital, since Chione pulled Eden into her wedding planning. But the dreary day matched Violet's feelings about sharing duties with Florian.They were in a cleared-out, three-story market, waiting for the royal procession to pass by. King Eden and Queen Chione were making their way through the capital so the people had a chance to see the couple firsthand. Violet and Florian were on hawk-eye duty, sequestering themselves on the roof while the streets below teemed with eager citizens.Violet watched Florian slip his bow into the sheath on his back. She hated sharing anything with him, but she couldn't deny his archery skills."So, you're really going to do this?" she asked.He ran his fingers through his hair as he turned to her, reaching down to lace his boots. "Get dressed? Yeah, I think I will.""I mean serv
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 19: A New Post
Queen Chione summoned Violet to her rooms the next morning. Violet's wrist was still hurting after the clocktower stunt but the swelling was down and she refused to leave her bow and quiver behind, especially when heading inside the palace. Each hallway felt jeweled with memories, waiting to blindside her with their brightness. She wanted to be armed against whatever she met.Thankfully, Jasmine was the first familiar face she crossed."Even when you move out of the palace, you're all this place talks about," Jasmine beamed, wrapping her arms around Violet."You heard about yesterday?" Violet guessed."You rescued the Queen! All the attendants think you're going to be promoted. Some of the courtiers think you'll move back in. I'm hoping you'll show me how you flew across the royal parade."They kept walking, Violet catching sight of some of the Lords. She gave a slight nod. They completely ignored her. Staying in the barracks did have some perks."The Queen summoned me," Violet whisper
The Elf King and His Bodyguard Chapter 20: Shots Fired
A crescent moon stood watch over the archery range. Violet looked up at the stars. Wispy clouds drifted across their light. A cool breeze rustled the trees. Her thumb ran over the arrow fletching in her hand.This was the one place where peace reigned supreme. Queens and kings met their match in Violet when she carried a bow. She hummed softly. The songs of Eloy marched through her mind, lending their melodies to the vowels her lips formed. She stomped her feet to keep time, letting the music slip between her heart and her wounds.Dried blood stuck to her uniform. A nasty cut on her forehead still stung. But her song took her away from the pain and anger. She kept humming, stringing an arrow.The target was small in the dark distance.She anchored her right hand to the corner of her mouth and let the shaft fly.Bullseye.Another arrow.Another perfect shot.She nocked one after the other, humming the whole time. The quiet cut by sharp arrowheads whizzing through the air. She strolled
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