The Queen of Elysium

Chapter 13 - The Light of Elysium

Elissa wakes with a jolt, startling a servant who was gently trying to rouse her. Somehow, she must have managed to get back to sleep after that midnight madness. I need someone I trust to ask about elven souls.

"Go fetch Darish for me," she commands.

"Your Highness, his Majesty left strict instructions not to allow an unaccompanied male into your chambers."

"Very well. Send for Darish and Zane."

As the servant goes to argue again, Elissa holds up her hand to silence the woman and threads power into her voice. "That was not a request."

Watching the servant scurry away, she does feel a slight pang of guilt. Normally she is courteous to everyone, but just now she is starting to freak out. Worrying about last night is helping to divert her mind away from dawn and the impending meeting of the Royal Council of Elysium.

When the door opens, she looks up expectantly, only to find Talia and several servants entering. They flutter about, dressing her in a white gown and threading white flowers into her hair.

Sitting on the bed, she nervously glances outside at the lightening sky. Not long now.

Zane strolls in as if he owns the place, with Darish in tow. Talia reticently leaves, giving Zane an uncharacteristically stern look, before ushering out the servants.

Zane plops himself on the bed beside Elissa. "What is wrong, little one? You are almost as pale as your gown."

"In less than an hour I need to stand before the Royal Council and I still don't have a clue what I am supposed to do. Cosmos, being his normal evasive self, has been of no help whatsoever. I'm scared that I am just going to waste everyone's time." Elissa can feel the panic rising.

Zane responds by giving her a massive hug. "I have faith in you. You do not see yourself as others do; like a young queen in the making."

"But I don't want to get married just yet," she whines.

Zane smiles indulgently. "Dragonites are ruled by a queen who has no need of a king. Why should you be any different?"

She fiddles with her hands and plucks up the courage to ask Darish, "Can elven souls unite?"

Darish sits on her other side and takes her hand in his. "Elissa, if an elf finds someone who makes their soul sing, then it is possible for their souls to bond. However, it is a lifetime commitment and you are far too young to make such a choice."

"It's just that last night ... well things got a little heated."

Cogs visibly wheel in Darish's head and he blushes. "When a she-elf is ... is receptive, she emits a pheromone. The scent can cause elves to act irrationally."

Zane teases, "So Darish, does she smell irresistible to you?"

Darish responds with frayed patience, "Zane, do not be ridiculous. We have had this conversation before."

"Yeah, I mean I'm female." Elissa laughs and shakes her head at Zane. Her amusement quickly evaporates when Zane looks at her like she has grown two heads. Whipping back to check on Darish, she is alarmed by his wide-eyed look of horror. Oops.

"What is she referring to?" Zane asks, clearly clueless.

She mouths 'I'm sorry' to Darish, who nods with resignation.

"My preference lies elsewhere." Darish chooses his words carefully, but at Zane's continued bemusement feels he must elucidate. "With males."

There is a long awkward silence and Elissa bites her lip.