He breathed heavily, his chest pressed against mine, his body warm and alive, soothing my fears. Theht’s presence shied back, and I imagined I couldn’t even feel her there. He’d always had that effect on the goddess.
“I thought you might’ve been lost or worse. Why didn’t you return sooner?”
“I tried, but something is wrong with the portals. I suspect the asteroid is interfering with their magic. Plus, since I lost my mirror box, I wasn’t able to create a replacement that actually worked until now. I’m sorry I didn’t come back sooner.”
He nodded, still staring at me as if he couldn’t believe I was here.
“It’s been too long,” he said.
“I agree.”
I expected him to kiss me. Instead, he carefully placed my feet back on the ground and took a step away from me.
Rolf stared at us, and then he cleared his throat. “Hello, Olive,” he said with a nod.
“Hi, Rolf.”
“How are things in Earth Kingdom?” he asked.
“Fine, although I’m glad I finally made it back to Faythander.”
“Yes, we’re all glad you made it. And by all of us, I really mean Kull, because, you know, not everyone will be glad you’re here. In fact, I’m sure many people will hate that you’ve returned, especially considering—”
“Rolf,” Kull interjected. “That’s enough.”
“Oh, right.” He laughed nervously. “Yes, I should probably keep my mouth shut. I’ve got an awful bad habit of saying things when I shouldn’t. Bad timing and all that. You know, I was just about to head inside.” He gathered a sword and shield off the ground and grinned at us. “I suppose I’ll see you both in the castle.”
I watched as Rolf turned and walked toward the trail leading to the keep. As I turned back to Kull, I felt a hard knot form in my throat, although I wasn’t sure why. Was it just my imagination, or was he distancing himself from me?
“I’m glad you’ve returned,” he said formally, almost forced.
“Yes.”
After Rolf disappeared, he turned to me. “Olive, I need to discuss something with you.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
He took my fingers in his hand. “We’re feasting tonight in the great hall. It’s a tradition we take part in before long quests. And… there’s something I’ve been meaning to announce.”
“Okay. What have you been meaning to announce?”
“Our engagement.”
I eyed him. “You haven’t announced our engagement yet?”
He shook his head.
“Why not?”
“Well, it’s a bit complicated. To be honest, these past four months haven’t been easy. I was worried about you—worried you would never return.”
“I’m here now.”
He squeezed my fingers. “Yes, you’re here now. I suppose I shouldn’t have been so anxious, as I suspected something must’ve happened that prevented you from returning. There have been other strange happenings in Faythander, which may be the fault of the asteroid. Unusual lights in the sky at night, some of the magical creatures falling prey to illnesses, the weather patterns acting erratically…”
“That is odd, and it’s another reason we need to stop the asteroid from getting any closer.”
“I agree.”
An uneasy silence fell between us. “Kull, is something else bothering you?”
“With the engagement, yes. Walk with me to the keep? I’ll explain on the way.”
“Sure,” I said, wondering what he’d meant about our engagement as we gathered the weapons. Kull grabbed his discarded shirt and pulled it over his head. Part of me lamented his decision to wear it, but as he tied the leather ties at the top of the tunic, my stomach gave its usual flutter—the one I felt when I was near him. How had I ever survived without him?
We trudged toward the trail leading to the towers. When we reached the forest, under the trees’ shadows, Kull turned to me.
“It started with Euric,” he said. “As you know, the man began spouting treason a few months ago. After he was arrested by the elves, I’d thought the matter was settled, but since his release, he’s been traveling to Wult villages across the continent, telling half-truths and a few outright lies, but no one seems to care if it’s the truth or not. I’ve spent most of my time traveling to those same villages trying to undo what Euric has started, but with little success.
“I knew being king would be hard. I knew after my father’s sudden death that I wasn’t ready, but now, keeping the kingdom together is all but impossible. Nine villages have signed a petition to withdraw from our kingdom, and I expect several more to follow in the coming days.”
I wasn’t sure how to answer; all I knew was that I really hated Euric now. Well, more than before. What that man was doing was inexcusable. “Is there anything you can do to convince the villagers not to leave?”
“I’ve tried, Olive. I’ve done everything I can think of to keep the Wults united, but all they can do is remind me that I’ve lost the sword of my forefathers, and even if I did have it, I’ve got no lineage to pass the sword down to. Wults are obsessed with tradition and progeny. They say I’m an unworthy king because I’ve got no heirs.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“I agree. And to make matters worse, they’ve brought you into it.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Euric must have seen us together at one point. He says if I marry you, I’ll bring shame to the royal line, that our half-elven children should not be eligible to inherit the throne.”
“Technically, they’d only be one-fourth elven.”
“That doesn’t seem to matter. The sad thing is that he has a point. Wults pride themselves on lineage, and bringing elven blood into the royal line would pollute it, according to Euric, and there are plenty who agree with him.
“They’re hypocrites, too. None of them had a problem when I was engaged to the elven princess, but now, they’re suddenly enraged. Some of the
