A Clash Of Light And Thunder (War Of The Forgotten Lovers Book 1)

Where Past and Future Meet

"Hello, father," said the elf prince as he entered the royal family dining room. The moonlight broke through high open windows, refracting from the expertly sculpted moonstone chandeliers and illuminating his approach.

The elder king raised his head and straightened his form. A large elegant crown made out of gold and titanium weighed heavily on his silver head. "Good to see you have returned. I hope Lia fares well," Ollen spoke.

"She will recover," Elvin stated as he pulled on the black metal weaved chair next to the king. He placed his hand on the dark blue jadeite crafted table as he asked, "have there been any recent reports of trouble at the northern borders?"

His father took a sip of the fermented drink and ordered with a smile. "Have a glass and eat with me. You are so rarely around."

"There are matters we need to discuss." Elvin ignored the king's jolly words.

Sadness flickered through the king's melted metal orbs at his son's indifference. There was a time when the young lad would run to him, asking to play, and he had dismissed it. Instead, Ollen spent every fragment of time they could steal training his son. A sin the king felt he would pay for his entire life. "What is it?" Ollen asked.

"While recovering the antidote, I encountered a dead human in stealth clothing. I fear that a small force may have slipped through our lines."

"That is unlikely. Humans are loud and do not know the way of the land. Surely they would have already been discovered by our scouts." Silver eyebrows furrowed in thought.

"The body floated in the Elerian river, which stems and runs in our territory," Elvin rebutted.

"Humph," the king rubbed his long bushy moonlit beard. "We will send out trackers and scouts. If there are any humans around, they should be able to find them." He waved his hand, and a soldier appeared at his side. "Convey the instructions to the scout's leader and keep us informed of any developments."

The soldier bowed before rushing out of the dining room.

"There is something else I wish to speak of." Elvin took a chug of his fermented drink, preparing himself for the conversation to come.

"What is that?" The king asked as his knife carved the meat in front of him.

Elvin took a deep breath before he spoke, "it's about Aria. I would like to give her more freedom to move around the castle and the city without guards."

"No." The king dropped his knife, not believing the words that were entering his pointed ears.

"She is the reason Lia is alive," Elvin contended. Sparks of anger rippled through his veins at being so offhandedly denied. "I think that deserves a show of trust—"

The king's blaring voice cut him off. "There is still so little we know of this human, and you devise for me to let her loose in the kingdom?"

"I trust her." Elvin's resolve was unwavering. It was a trust built on the sacrifices that Aria had made for Lia. Its foundation would not be so easily shattered by his father's reproach.

"I didn't think you were a fool, son. Your vision is clouded by your mother's words. When will you stop trying to breathe meaning into her end? She fell sick and spoke of nonsense as her mind decayed. Move on, son. She is dead." The king's hand slammed on the table. His mate's death was final. His voice cracked in pain, "why must you keep reopening old wounds?"

His father's words stung Elvin in the heart and left a bitter taste in his tongue. "This has nothing to do with my mother's words. Aria has earned my trust. She valiantly and selfishly helped Lia; some gratitude is in order. Not to mention the High Shveera sings her praises every time I inquire of her progress."