Page 8 of Fallen Nocturne

Coral cowers against my leg and I look at her, this little creature pressing herself as small as she can go. Something hot rises through the fear in my chest. My wyvern took an arrow through her wing to protect me. When the capital was ransacked, she dragged me to the guards and refused to leave until they carried me to the healing house. Rainer told me she had stood between my broken body and the witch as though she could defend me from anything.

“Coral is my companion,” I say, finding my voice despite the knot in my throat. “She may not breathe fire or soar through clouds, but she’s saved my life more times than I can count.”

“How wonderful for you,” Alys replies, her tone suggesting it’s anything but. She moves closer to Landon, her hand brushing his arm. The ease of the gesture makes it clear she is familiar with him. “The commander saved my life countless times too. We’ve flown together for nearly a century. Haven’t we?”

I can feel Landon’s embarrassment through the bond, though his expression remains neutral.

“We’ve served together long,” he acknowledges, stepping subtly away from her touch. “As have all my warriors.”

He gestures to the rider of the dark wyvern who has been watching our exchange. “This is Eacharn. He rides Bloodthorn.”

Eacharn grins, revealing sharp canines. He’s lean and wiry, with dark hair that falls to his shoulders. “A pleasure, Your Highness. Though I’ll admit, harboring us wasn’t what I expected from the Elven Queen. We’ve done your people no favors over the years.”

“No,” I reply, meeting his gaze steadily. “You haven’t. Perhaps this is where we begin doing better by one another.”

Theo steps forward. His expression is grave. “You offer us sanctuary, and we are grateful. But I think it’s only fair to be honest with you, Your Highness.”

My stomach tightens. I know what’s coming before he says it.

“When our king brings his full force against your borders, will you expect us to fight our own brothers?” He holds my gaze, steady and unflinching.

I feel Landon tense beside me.

“The queen hasn’t asked for our swords,” Glenn says calmly. “She only offered us shelter.”

“Yet,” Alys adds pointedly. “She hasn’t asked yet. But surely that’s coming?”

She tilts her head, studying me with those ruby eyes. “Let’s be honest, shall we? Why else would an elven queen shelter fae warriors? Certainly not out of kindness. Perhaps she thinks sharing her food and fields entitles her to command us.”

Eacharn folds his arms across his chest. “It would be a clever ploy. Keep us close until King Eirik attacks, then place us between his army and hers.”

“Enough.” Landon’s voice cracks across the gathering so sharply that even the wyverns fall still. He steps forward, anger hardening every line of his face. “You are guests here. You will show the queen the respect owed to her, or you will leave Völundr before nightfall.”

Neither of them moves. The air grows thick with tension. I can feel the weight of their stares, their expectations.

“My apologies, Commander.” Theo gives Landon a brief nod before turning his full attention back to me. “And to you, Your Highness. I’m simply protective of my squadron.”

“I understand suspicion,” I say, straightening my spine despite how much I want to shrink away. “You’ve been betrayed by your own king. Trust doesn’t come easily after that. I’m not asking for it. I’m not asking for anything except that you respect the peace of Aelfheim while you’re here.”

The other warriors shift uncomfortably. Some, like Kieran and Theo, seem genuinely grateful. Others, like Eacharn, watch me with calculating eyes, weighing my worth. Alys looks at me like I’m a thief who’s stolen something precious.

“Some of us are grateful, Queen of Aelfheim,” Glenn says quietly. “But make no mistake. We will not raise blades against our kin.”

A low murmur of agreement ripples among the others. Even Kieran nods, his earlier warmth fading into something more serious.

I glance at Landon. He says nothing, but his jaw tightens just enough to betray his displeasure.

Coral presses closer to my side with a nervous chirp. I look around at these powerful warriors, their massive wyverns, and realize the precarious position we’re all in.

“I would never ask you to raise arms against your blood,” I say carefully. “That’s not a choice anyone should have to make.”

Alys laughs, a tinkling sound that would be pretty if it weren’t so clearly mocking. “How noble. But when your kingdom burns and your people die, will you still feel that way?”

She’s not wrong and we all know it. The strategic value of having Landon’s squadron on my side is immense. Their mere presence might give the Fae King pause. Without them, Aelfheim is vulnerable.

“I understand the position you’re in,” I say, meeting each of their gazes in turn. “You’ve been betrayed by the king you served. You’ve lost your home. The last thing I want is to ask you to lose your souls as well.”

I take a breath, feeling the weight of my crown. “But if you’re asking me whether I’ll demand you fight for Aelfheim, the answer is no. That choice is yours alone.”