Page 78 of To Kill a King
“Elessan? Elessan Svialto?”
He frowned as a bolt of energy jolted through his muscles, wiping away the events of the morning like an ethereal cobweb.
What was she doing here? Jumping out of bed, he threw on his trousers and stumbled over something on the floor but didn’t bother to look to see what it was.
“Tsara?” Elessan crossed the living room in three long steps and drew the ivy strands covering the door aside.
Tsara Enorathil, princess of the sun elves, beamed at him as she sauntered inside. She perched on a bench and grabbed a strawberry from the abandoned tray.
“Imagine my surprise when my best spy goes incommunicado for two weeks, even cutting off our conversation in Westcliff, only to scry me five days ago to say he needs strings pulled so he can enter Filathas. But, of course, he won’t tell me why.”
“Tsara, I—”
She pointed the half-eaten berry at him. “Save it, Svialto. I haven’t told my father about your lack of reports, so he thinks this is just another boring diplomatic meeting. But I can’t keep covering for you. What gives?”
A mound of cloth caught her attention. She picked it up, raised an eyebrow, and held his shirt out to him. “I know it’s been a long time, but I never thought I’d see the day where you left your things lying about.”
Heat flooded his face. At least his skin was dark enough she likely wouldn’t notice. He reached for the fabric, but she pulled it out of his reach with an admiring appraisal of his torso.
“Well, um…” He snatched the tunic from her fingers and yanked it over his head. Sitting on the bench on the other side of the fruit tray, he shrugged, selecting a berry of his own.
“Elessan, this isn’t like you at all. What’s going on?”
“I’m sorry about my lack of reports. Things have been—” he swallowed— “interesting lately.”
“Interesting in a ‘I should probably report what’s going on to my superiors, like I’m supposed to’ kind of way?” She crossed her arms. “We are at war, you know.”
Valek. He studied his shoes. “No, nothing like that. This is personal.”
“Personal? It’s not your mother. She’s still living her quiet little life, awaiting word from you.”
Ouch. He winced. Yeah, it’d been a while since he’d contacted her.
“There must be a girl,” Tsara said, her eyes sparkling.
He flinched again.
“Wait. It is a girl?” The princess laughed. “No way! You?” Her eyes went round as she took in his rumpled shirt and her eyes did another scan of the room. “Oh…” She craned her neck. “Is she still here? Did I interrupt something exciting?”
“Tsara.” Thank Abaddon Aliya had left so early. He waved his hand in front of Tsara's face to regain her attention. “Nothing so sensational. Enough about me. Maybe we should go talk elsewhere?” If Tsara realized who he was here with, she’d package Aliya up and deliver her to the sun elf king without a second thought.
The princess gestured toward the door. “Very well. Have you seen the gardens they have here? They’re just a five minute walk to the east.”
Minutes later, Tsara led him through the flawlessly maintained landscape which even he had to admit was quite stunning. Plots of sand broke up the space between mounds of greenery and flowers. Cultivated waterfalls added a pleasing background noise to drown out the sound of their whispers. Best of all, the area was empty of any who would overhear.
She guided him over to a grass-covered hillock backed by a wall of willows. Sitting down, she crossed her legs and patted the ground in front of her. He joined her, knee-to-knee.
She leaned forward. “So, tell me, what’s the situation in the human lands?”
Complicated, in more ways than she’d ever imagine. “Are you heading straight back home once you leave?”
“Yes, but I brought my scrying mirror. Father will receive any info you give me by the end of the day.”
This was perfect. Talking to her directly would afford him time to linger here with Aliya. “It’s still early in the season,” he said, “but the farmers are concerned the devastating fires in the southern region last fall may have burned too hot and damaged the soil. If that’s the case, the whole country will be facing a grain shortage come harvest. What food they do produce will be diverted to the army, leaving the people to starve. I’m sure your father can make use of that.
“I also procured a map back at the house detailing recent troop movements and supply lanes. It includes where I think they’ll shift everything should the famine hit. I’ll give it to you when we get back to my room.”
The princess nodded; her intense gaze drilled into his as she filed the information away.