Heart Over Sword-Chapter 312: Something in the Woods

Sitting at breakfast, Evanna and Arawn kept exchanging glances, their smiles mostly hidden but not quite wholly. The servants and their friends around them watched, their eyes crinkling at the pair who were obvious in their bubble of newlywed bliss. The king sat, as usual, like a stoic statue, even as he entertained Princess Loraven by his side. She had been entertaining him in the time their children had been away; to the elven princess, she’d been merely catching up and enjoying his company. It had been a long time since she spoke with someone so similar to her thoughts.

Although they disagreed many years ago with her choice, it was apparent now he had changed his mind, most likely after accepting Loraven’s daughter as his daughter-in-law. Still, Loraven enjoyed spending time with an old friend and greeting others she had not seen in a long time, like the old man in the library. Now, with the cutlery clinking, voices low and the sunlight streaming into the beautiful breakfast room with Evanna’s friends, humans, fae and elves alike, Loraven’s eyes became misty. This was what Selvin wanted, and their daughter was on the same path whether she knew it or not.

"Loraven?" Thalinal whispered, some concern shown on his furrowed brow, the only emotion shown this morning.

Loraven waved him off, blinking away the tears and looking down at her meal. "*Tis nothing.*"

"*If you say so,*" Thalinal replied, though he was not convinced. He followed where her gaze had been looking earlier, wondering what troubled her thoughts. Evanna sat next to Arawn, and on her other side was Fiza, a very unlikely fae that she befriended. They spoke secretly amongst each other, even as Evanna’s hand remained interlinked with Arawn’s. His son was speaking to Garrett on his other side. The brute initially refused to sit by his side, wishing to stand for his duty as he should, but Arawn insisted.

Finishing their meal, Evanna sighed after Arawn bid her good day. His expression hardened as he turned away, Garrett speaking by his side. The prince had to check the forest around them. Though they’d had a grand wedding, one that others did travel to watch, Direwood truly was not safe. The faceless were walking among the other creatures in the woods, and they had to fight them off. The Flori were unaware of how many were left, but the more they killed, the better.

Evanna would join them, but Fiza was leaving, so she would spend her time with her. Surprisingly, Fiza had turned into quite an ally and, dare she say, a friend? The rest of the morning, the pair walked and spoke of fae magic in the gardens. Evanna provided an umbrella for Fiza, whose eyes were squinting too much because of the sun. The princess was curious about Fiza’s home, where they worked and lived during the night and slept during the day.

She was in the middle of imagining what it looked like until Fiza created a small image before them. It shimmered, golden sparkles swarming around the circular image that revealed a land in the night, flowers and trees luminous and fae, either as dark as night or with a purple, navy-hued skin crouching in the bushes, spears in hands, approaching a creature that must be their prey. They were hunting. Evanna’s eyes were alight with enjoyment at such a discovery.

All too soon, it was gone. "I must go now, princess. Next time, it won’t be free," Fiza winked, reminding Evanna how the fae worked. Nothing is for free, and never to be in debt to a fae.

Evanna began to sit up from her cross-legged position on the grass, but the fae shook her head. "Stay, enjoy the sun. Nobody else is here to ruin your alone time. Take it easy while you can, and you are not lured into the prince’s clutches again." Fiza winked. "I have a feeling you will not have such a lazy life soon."

Evanna burst into laughter. "Since when was my life so lazy? Alas, I will do as you say, oh wise fairy..." Evanna trailed off, her gaze landing on the man behind Fiza. freewebnøvel.coɱ

Fiza smirked and dipped her head before turning away. She was not one for goodbyes, yet Evanna knew she must have said farewell to Garrett. They might look as though they couldn’t stand each other, but she knew they had snuck off on her wedding day. Evanna shrugged it off; she thought the pair were quite the couple, if ever they announced it, that was.

Now, Evanna was faced with a man she hadn’t seen since she escaped the palace. "Cedric," Evanna greeted with a lopsided smile. He looked a little tired. "How are you fairing?" Evanna forced herself to stand from the ground. Cedric didn’t seem to mind and offered for her to sit once more.

The princess sat, her interest focused on Cedric, who kneeled before and greeted with his head bent down. "Princess Evanna Elion. My apologies for not attending your wedding... I was unable to make it because-"

"How is the babe, Cedric?" Evanna cut him off. She did not care for his absence.

Cedric’s head snapped up, his eyes brightening and crinkling at the mention of his newborn baby. "Beautiful. She is like an angel. It would be an honour if you and his highness could bless her."

Cedric’s smile was infectious as a grin spread along Evanna’s features. "You do not need to even ask. I would love to see her... what did you name her?"

"Ysara," Cedric informed her. "Fortunately, she looks like her mother."

Evanna’s lips parted, a protest on them, but she did not voice them. Cedric was smiling away. With his looks, he was an angel himself, and he had been an arrogant one, even. If he thought his daughter took after his wife, then she must be absolutely stunning, and who was she to fault it?

"A beautiful name. I cannot wait to meet Ysara," Evanna replied, then started to lie down, enjoying the sun and the rest Fiza spoke of. "Rest if you need to."

"I can do no such thing as your guard."

"You can and will. If I can survive in Lyvaria and Direwood without you, I’m sure a few noble ladies will be no issue for me," Evanna replied with a huff of laughter. Cedric followed Evanna’s gaze, which had moved to her swords by her side.

Since the wedding, Evanna had returned to the garments she’d travelled in. She found them more comfortable and ready for anything. The faceless were about, so it was better to be prepared just in case.

Cedric sighed but caved in, lying by her side but not close enough to attract unwanted attention. Neither wanted that. Prince Arawn would not be happy, nor would Cedric’s wife, whether the rumours were false or not.

While they lay there, Evanna connected herself to the ground and the forest. As she did so, the trees started chanting to her, but it wasn’t one of calm or serenity; no, their vibrations told her there was danger.

"Faceless?" Evanna murmured aloud, questioning the trees.

Their answer floated away with the rustling of the breeze through the trees, and the sound of the waterfall the palace sat upon filled her ears. The danger she felt from them faded away like that of a raindrop splashing in the water; it rippled for a moment, then disintegrated. So there was no danger?

Evanna frowned, hoping all was well with her love. She knew Arawn would be fine; he always was. The elven prince had many great powers, and Garrett was by his side.

"Did you say something?" Cedric asked. He didn’t sound sleepy; as a guard, he remained alert even if he was resting his body.

Evanna shook her head. "No..." Trailing off, her thoughts were full of the anxiety coiling in her stomach.

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