The Summer Court

Chapter Sixty-Three

Elsine's fingers were sweating as she was led up to the dais. It was time to send a prince home and she was more worried about offending him than anything else. The party stopped after the king's example of the monster that had tried to hurt her. By the glazed looks and worried brows, it had affected everyone in the room.

She sat as the king stood. He turned to their guests. "Tonight marks the end of the first segment of The Summer Court. First, we would like to extend our gratitude to the courts of Ealdun, Alvar, Aurum, and Brael for their generous gifts to Summer. There is nothing more sacred than the heart and these four sons of our allies have come to offer theirs freely. It is no small thing in service to the crown." 

Elsine swallowed the lump in her throat as she watched her father command the room, his crystal eyes like shards even though he smiled. They softened as he turned to his daughter and held out a hand. Taking it, she stepped up beside him. She made sure her shoulders were squared, and her chin held defiantly higher. If there were more villains in the room, she hoped they would second guess their plans now that they had seen the strength of her court and her heart.

"Bow before your future queen," Ulrich boomed, his voice hostile. It was commanding and challenging to anyone who dared cause them harm. Daring them to defy the king blessed by Titiana. The entire court obeyed, their foreheads almost meeting the floor as they bowed deeper than they ever had.

Elsine took a deep breath as her father nodded to her. Calling for her to do as tradition demanded. He took his throne and a horned fey with dark curls and a long whip-like tail approached. They handed the princess a square, velvet cushion stuck with three pins. Each was crafted from gold, shaped into a laurel wreath, and encrusted with diamonds. She focused on her breathing and tried to ignore the fact that she had thousands of eyes on her.

"Kannon of Ealdun."

She wasn't sure how she mustered the loud, commanding voice. It sounded foreign to her ears, and she was sure she saw more than a few surprised looks cross the features of her subjects. The lamb has fangs. The princess steeled herself against the voice. She watched as the prince with emerald eyes came out of the crowd to stand before the dais. A shadow of a smirk tilted his lips now that the court was watching. She realized that it was his favorite mask. Elsine didn't smile, though she wanted to for how her heart swelled seeing him. He had fought for her; he was kind as he was cunning. He crossed an arm over his heart and bowed his head, keeping his eyes locked on hers, just as he had the first time she had met him. Elsine never broke his stare as she announced, "I present this badge as a token of my heart. A promise to pursue yours."

He moved up the steps, staying on the one just below where she stood and lifted his chin. Elsine could see a smile hidden in the warmth of his eyes. She set the pin on the front, right side of his emerald vest. He bowed again and then he went back to stand at the bottom of the dais.

"Ander of Brael." 

He came to stand next to Kannon and Elsine picked up the next pin. "I present this badge as a token of my heart. A promise to pursue yours." She pinned it on the front of his shirt and waited until he had positioned himself next to Kannon before she picked up the third.

"Conor of Alvar." 

She felt her fingers shaking as he approached. She wished she could send him home to Inara now, but she had a plan. Staying longer meant being more renowned, and perhaps then, he and Inara could find a way to be together if he was revered. Conor gave her an encouraging smile when he was close enough that the subjects couldn't see. She wished she could have hugged him because there was some sadness on his face. "I present this badge as a token of my heart. A promise to pursue yours."

When he stood next to Ander and Kannon, she took a breath. "Hamish of Aurum." 

He looked resigned as he approached, knowing his fate. After all, there were only three pins. She wished she didn't feel so guilty. He paused at the step below hers, his eyes were the only thing that gave away that he was disappointed. 

"A badge I cannot give you, nor a promise besides this― Aurum will see nothing but wealth in trade from the crown. You have proven your loyalty to Summer and that you are a valuable friend. May Titiana bless you and yours abundantly." She couldn't help but smile at him then, hoping he knew she meant the part about being a friend. A small smile tilted his lips as he picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. Surprisingly this kiss was not sloppy as most of his others had been.

"My Queen, may you find the love you seek," he spoke only to her and then bowed. His gracious response made her feel relief and guilt at the same time.

"Stay and revel or go home to your loved ones. You are always welcome." She waved a hand as she had once seen her mother do in that regal way she had, "Let us toast to the loyalty of these four men and then let the revel continue long into the night!" There were cheers around the room as wine was passed around the room. Once the princess had her goblet, she raised it as her subjects did and they drank. And as they drank the room felt as though it started to spin for Elsine when the realization struck.

King Ulrich raised his goblet and announced in a faraway voice, "Let The Honor Test, commence!"

When the music picked up with chatter and laughter again Elsine put her goblet down on a table and excused herself out the doors behind the dais. It wasn't until the doors shut behind her that she leaned against the wall and clutched her shaking fingers to her middle, taking deep, ragged breaths. She took a minute to compose herself and, finally, her breathing became even and the wild buzzing in her fingers calmed. 

Elsine had realized two things while standing on that dais. The first was that the Puca had to have been watching her for a long time to know which prince she would sneak away with. Which meant someone was watching Kannon as well. The thought made her sick to her stomach and her eyes burn. What if they had attacked him instead? She wouldn't have been able to save him. And that feeling― the panic of losing him― was what had brought on the second realization.

The door she had come through opened, and the king stepped through, his face drawn in concern. "Elsi? Are you alright?"

The princess looked shocked even as she said it out loud, "I think I'm falling in love―" Her throat closed in on her before she could say the rest. Because she had only felt the sinking in her stomach― the curling dread of losing someone at the thought of Dare walking away and then now. At the thought of what might have happened to Kannon. I'm falling in love with them both.

**Edited Kylie R. Trask 2022**