Page 1 of Journey to the Elderoak
1
The cry of gulls pierced the salty air, wind whipping Ava’s braid down her back as she walked through the picturesque port on the coast of Monterre. The sun had just made it over the cluster of wooden buildings lining the cobblestone streets, painting the seaside town with a warm glow.
“Nervous?” Raine asked from beside her.
Ava gave him a flat look. “What do you think?”
His blue-gray eyes danced. “You’ve been living here for almost six weeks now. It’s about time you do something princess-y.”
“Right,” she said with a sigh. “And training my ass off every day for the Elderoak journey isn’t enough, so the king thought to send me to speak to another kingdom without him?”
“Your brother wouldn’t have sent you if he didn’t believe you were capable,” Casimir said as he walked on her other side. “Besides, we know the queens well. We’ll guide you.”
“It’s good practice, dainty human,” said Raine, using the nickname he had given Ava upon her arrival in their realm of Eorhan.
Her thoughts caught on Raine’s last word. Human.A month and a half after arriving in Mosshaven, the capital of her kingdom, she was still human. Training to prepare for a harrowing journey to a magical tree where her true fae abilities would be unlocked. Because she was the sole person with portal magic running through her veins who could banish the daemon queen, Deidamia, back to her realm. The daemon queen she hadn’t even known existed until everything fell apart months ago back on her grandfather’s farm.
She was still in disbelief that this was now her life.
“At least I get a break from that awful obstacle course,” she said, glancing at Casimir.
“You still have to complete it when we return.”
Casimir, the general of her kingdom’s armies, had created a grueling training routine for Ava. She’d spend the morning running laps and working her way through a horrific military-style obstacle course she was still struggling to complete. Then, she’d work on weapons training—swords with Casimir, daggers with Quinn, one of the army’s captains and second in command, and archery with Raine, another one of their captains.
They rounded a corner, passing a tavern, clothing repair shop, and an inn. A lively market thrived in the square and the shouts of merchants selling their wares cut through the upbeat music winding its way through the tavern’s windows.
They ventured closer to the docks, preparing to board the ship sailing for Saxumdale, the stone kingdom. Ava’s stomach was in knots at the thought of meeting with the queens, asking for their help to fight Deidamia and her daemon armies. This would be her first attempt at diplomacy since learning she was the lost princess of her kingdom.
And she was terrified.
“Are you hungry?” Casimir asked, always seemingly concerned with her nutrition.
“I’m fine.” But her stomach growled with betrayal.
“You’re a terrible liar,” he chided. “Wait here.”
Ava stopped and looked at Raine.
He pushed his platinum hair behind his shoulder and smiled. “Do you two still argue all the time?”
She rolled her eyes, hands on her hips as she looked up at him. “A little. But we’re friends now.”
“Friends?” Raine raised a brow, waiting for her to elaborate.
“Yes.Friends,” she emphasized.
And they were. After their initial arguments upon her arrival in Mosshaven, Casimir had apologized, surprising her, and they’d worked through it. Though he still got irritated with her on occasion, and she with him, he seemed to be amused rather than upset.
Casimir returned, handing Ava a paper wrapped pastry. He then held up a bright orange fruit unique to their kingdom. “They had your favorite, so I got this too.”
Her eyes brightened as she took the fruit in her other hand. “Thank you.”
Then he would go and do something like that. Remember her favorite fruit. Say something kind. Tease her. And her heart would do a somersault in her chest.
“Why didn’t you get me anything?” Raine interrupted.
“You didn’t ask.”
