The Mountains Blade

Chapter sixty

Chapter Sixty: Forget Not

As the counsel began to arrive at Goldmoon, Elwyn abandoned her books to change. She tucked them under her arms and slid into the hallway that led to her room. Her room was two long hallways over. On the walk, she ran into Dane. He made a disgruntled sound as he nearly barreled into her, rounding the corner. Elwyn stared up at him unflinching with a straight-lipped expression. "Sorry, I didn't see you."
Elwyn raised a brow. "Keen senses," she deadpanned, cutting around him to continue her walk to her quarters. "Will you ever forgive me?"
Elwyn stopped walking, the air in her lungs halting before she turned to look at Dane.
Dane, who was once her childhood best friend. Elwyn pressed her lips tightly together in contemplation.
Dane stood stark still, dressed in black, in gleaming armor that fitted him like a second skin. His gold-hilted sword at his right side, his hand atop trembling. The second her eyes zeroed in on the trembling, it stopped, quickly enough that it had felt like an illusion.
Elwyn looked up at Danes' face. He was seven years older, the boy who made her feel like she could be a princess like Avelina, who played the hero in their silly games when they were seven and eight. But he was also the man who held a blade to her throat and who stood idly by as she was dragged to a foreign kingdom.
Elwyn's jaw clenched, Danes' brows turned inwards, his mouth parting as he seemed to realize the memory that surfaced. "Wynn, I couldn't stop it," he said, his voice cracking in heartbreak.
Elwyn flexed her finger, looking at the claw marks her nails made into her palm.
She took in a deep breath and read his eyes, the glistening in them, the tired purple, and the hand that stretched out slightly before dropping.
"I know," she said. The sound of her voice was heavy in the silence. She didn't say anything else before turning to go to her chambers.

~
Two hours later, after her hair had been torturously curled and pinned to her skull with enough pins to keep her hair in place for a century, a stern knock sounded at her door.
Elwyn turned in the chair she currently occupied and smiled to the maid, nodding as she opened the door and left. The door remained open behind her, and a heavy booted thud sounded as Evander walked in. He stood in the doorway and blinked at her, roaming over the outfit she wore.
Elwyn felt a wave of embarrassment pass over her, but she held her head high and stood. "Is there something I can help you with?" she asked.
Evander's lips curved into a crooked smile. Elwyn felt her cheeks warm as he continued to look at her and advance towards her, ignoring the question at hand. He lightly placed his hands on her elbows and twisted her, and she turned, pausing once she faced him again to look at the male incredulously. "You look like the night sky," he said softly. Elwyn felt the air construct in her lungs as her heart hammered, a sound she knew the wolf king could hear. "I suppose you do as well," she breathed out, her cheeks turning hot. The king did, in fact, look like the night sky. He was dressed in a black silk shirt and dress pants, a sword strapped at his side, a pistol on the other.

Elwyn also resembled the night sky, filled with moonlight and stars. She wore a black, fitted dress that hugged her curved, muscular physique before loosening at her mid-thigh. It was a flowy, leather-like material. Strapped at her side was an adornment of blades. Her Auburn hair was pinned elegantly to her head, a black overcoat shielding her from the breeze that she would feel should they go outside. Beneath her dress were tight black pants tucked into black combat boots that held a small heel at the end.

"My parents used to dress me in pretty pastels and pinks, trying to pass me off as a harmless princess in waiting. They wanted that image so that when Avelina was queen, I would make for the most unexpected lethal protector."
Elwyn paused, chewing her lips as Evander watched her, listening to her every word.
"I guess that wasn't really what they were doing, but more of trying to hide my powers." Elwyn's shoulders sagged slightly as she thought of all the wasted time. Evander moved his hands slowly from her elbows to her arms, sending goosebumps through her. He carefully led her shoulder back to their original position and then laid a warm hand on her cheek. "It is because of this that you know what true strength is. But now you are not alone."
Elwyn didn't think her heart could ache so much from his words, but they did.

On the walk over to the council room, Elwyn tried to damper her nerves. Surely she had said to much to Evander and now here she was waiting for the council to balk at her.
And they did.
As the two opened the doorway, Elwyn straightened her spine, looking sternly at each person. She made herself calm her breathing. She would not be labeled a helpless doll. The council room was thick with people, their scents clashing together, overwhelming her newly heightened senses. She went down the line of individuals from the right of the table to the left. Claire, vampire, partner of Xavier, easily recognized as the queens sister. She had the same bounding curls as Avelina and Hope, only a lighter red blonde. When she smiled sharp fangs protruded but it was an rare occurance to see the green eyed womans teeth. She stared hard back at her, something remisnent of respect glimmering in her eyes as she looked next at Xavier. He was easily marked as a man in his thirties, with light black stubble and combed black locks. He, unlike Claire smiled with shimmering dark eyes. His skin while moon kissed was darker than Claire, almost tan ironically. Next, with pinned black strands was undoubtedly Kiandras granddaughter, her almond eyes studying Elwyn with emotion she couldn't place. She tapped her hand on the wooden table, rings and bracelets jingling in response.
Thalia, the shifter leader was missing, their chair empty, and beside the empty chair where Romans father used to sit was a girl not much older than Elwyn. The female smiled warmly, fluttering her fingers in greeting. She had vibrant brown hair with a black undertone and daring dark lined eyes that matched her hair almost perfectly. Elwyn continued her assessment, trying to appear unfazed by the unknown questions that she already had. Lastly there were two seats beside each other nearest to Evander and Elwyn. Opposite of them sat the king and Avelina. Markarious stood behind Avelina, Warren guarding the kings back. Each royal, or leader depending on what they went by, had their own guard standing behind them against the wall.
As Elwyn sat in her designated spot, Evander beside her, the doors closed and a tall, heavily muscled male stood behind Evander and Dane took the watch over Elwyn.