Elvi

Red Lips and Black Roses

Elvi pictured the water in her mindseye, flowing in a rapidly spinning ball in her hand. She growled in frustration as she opened her eyes to see the puddle on the floor. Why was water magick so difficult for her to learn? She was born of water. Moulded by the water elements and spirits, practising under the influence of Rán (r~aw~n,) and yet, water magick was proving to be the most difficult to learn. She had been told by the higher ones, ‘that which you are drawn to will be your biggest test.’ They, of course, were right. She focused again, staring at the puddle, and watched as the water began to ripple, slowly moving together into a tight circle. Her front door banged open, pulling her from her focus.

“What’s wrong with you?” Elvi asked, watching her brother storm into their lounge room.

“Nothing” he replied, throwing himself into an armchair.

“That was really convincing,” Elvi said, abandoning her puddle.

“I don’t get it, you know” Haydeon started. “After all the talk, all the promises of keeping you safe from him. Now High One Arryn (aa~rin) is suggesting you go with the King.” He spat on the stone floor.

“What?” Elvi sat down on the armchair opposite, staring open mouthed at her brother.

“Yes,” Haydeon grunted. “Decided to take it upon himself to stir up the masses. Reckons it will be safer for all of us for you to just leave, and keep the King away from the Coven.”

“But why?”

“You know he has always had a thing for Morana. I reckon he sees this as his opportunity to get you away from her and leave a spot for him. Disgusting.”

“What is everyone saying?” Elvi asked, her eyes darkening.

“A small group agree with him. Now that we have protection by law, they reckon you have done your duty and should continue it by ‘follow the King away from everyone else’. You know what he is like. He is a salesman of falsehoods.”

“He is…”

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Elvi stood and upon opening the door found the very man they had been speaking of. His face spread into a smile upon finding Elvi at the threshold.

“Good morning Elvi” he said in his silkiest tone. “May I come in?”

Elvi nodded but did not speak. Leading him through her house to the lounge room where her brother sat, she took her place, but did not offer Arryn a seat. His smile slipped slightly, understanding the slight.

“Elvi,” he began gently. “I feel it is my duty to inform you that there is a growing collection of Coven members, who believe that you should move on from here.”

“And who started that movement I wonder” spat Haydeon.

Arryn eyed the man carefully. He was notoriously protective of his younger sister, especially after losing their parents in the raids when they were children. Returning his attention to Elvi he observed her. She showed no outward appearance of shock or pain. He truly took in her appearance for the first time in a long time. She had the same dark hair, if somewhat shorter, pale skin and rosy lips of his Morana, but was lacking the blue eyes he held so dear. She was undoubtedly pretty, but she was the King’s problem now, and he was going to make sure of it. Choosing to ignore the man he continued.

“It is for the greater good of the Coven Elvi.”

“I think you mean your greater good, High One” interjected Haydeon again.

“I understand not of which you are speaking, young Haydeon, but I can assure you that my intentions have always been, and always will be, for the betterment of this Coven.” Staring daggers at each other in silence for some time Elvi stepped in.

“An admirable sentiment, I am sure, High One” she started coolly. “However, I fail to understand how me going to voluntary imprisonment with a murderer is for the betterment of the Coven, when yesterday, I achieved protection by the shifter’s laws for this Coven from further attack, from inside of the Coven.”

“The King will continue to come to our borders while you remain here child. He said so himself yesterday. How is this Coven to function as normal with such a threat watching in?”

“You, I am sure, heard him yesterday…”

“Oh yes,” began Arryn with amusement. “We all saw your… display… yesterday with the King. For someone who claims to feel no connection to him, you seemed rather entranced by his presence.”

Elvi stood from the armchair, stepping into the High Ones face. She found Haydeon’s hand on her wrist, tugging her back gently. Arryn chuckled to himself. Haydeon stepped even with his sister.

“We are done here” he said forcefully. “We will be going to Priestess about this.”

“Feel free young Haydeon. It is only a matter of time before she comes around to reason. Say hello to Morana for me,” he finished with a wink, before turning on his heel and leaving the house.

“Creep” Haydeon said, mostly to himself.

*

Elvi walked through the streets in a daze. What if Priestess really did fall in line with High Ones' plan? Would she be delivered like a caged animal by her own Coven? No. Priestess said that the Coven would be protected. Every member. That included her. She would warn Morana of the High One’s latest actions, but first she had to put in her agreed upon appearance. She could see him sitting in his regular place, quite alone, before she had even made it to the dome’s edge. He watched the farmland patiently. Taking a deep breath and exhaling it slowly she stepped through the barrier. This would be her first time with the King by herself. His face split into a smile when he saw her exit the dome. Standing quickly, he straightened his clothes nervously.

“I fulfilled my promise,” she said by way of a greeting.

“You did,” Rowan answered. Hardly blinking, as if she would disappear if he did. “I… I bought you something.”

Rowan turned his back momentarily on her, grabbing something from his spot at the tree. When he turned back around he produced a single black rose. She eyed it wearily for a few moments before deciding it was safe to take. Their fingers brushed gently, making Elvi withdraw her hand quickly.

“It is the same shade as your hair,” Rowan said quietly.

“Yes” she answered, keeping the hard exterior.

“Thankyou for coming, Elvi.”

He took a step closer to her as she absently spun the flower in her hands. Rowan watched her with bated breath, as she lifted the flower to her nose and inhaled the scent. Mesmerised by her, he watched her green eyes flutter shut for a moment, before opening again and meeting his. Without thinking Rowan outstretched his hand and took a small section of her collarbone length hair between his fingers. Her eyes widened in horror, before quickly stepping out of his reach.

“I’m sorry” he said rapidly, throwing his hands up in surrender.

Elvi turned and walked quickly back through the dome. With panicked breaths she ran home. Once safely inside her home, she slammed the door before sliding down onto the floor. She felt something sharp pierce her hand, before realising she was still holding onto the flower. She threw it across the entrance like it was poison. Tears rolling down her face she stayed on the floor until she couldn’t cry anymore. Elvi had felt the pull. She knew without a doubt that that was what the feeling in her chest had been. She didn’t know what she had done to the Norns to deserve this, but she would be forever regretful.