Elvi

Desperate Connections

Elvi knocked hastily on the door and waited impatiently outside. She heard the sound of feet coming down the stairs before the lock and then the door handle turn. As soon as she saw Morana she kissed her deeply, walking backwards inside until they hit the wall opposite. Morana slowly eased the kiss before breaking it entirely. She raised her hand to Elvi’s face and brushed her thumb back and forward along her jaw, staring into her eyes.

“What happened?” Morana asked gently. “What’s wrong?”

Elvi broke away from Morana, heading to the toilet on the ground floor. Pushing the lid up she vomited into the toilet. Retching at the thought of her experiences that morning. She heard Morana come into the room and kneel next to her, placing a comforting hand on her back, rubbing up and down. Elvi sat back on her feet, wiped her mouth with toilet paper and flushed. Morana helped her stand and led her to the sink to wash her mouth out.

“Arryn is trying to get me to go with the King so he can take you. He has started a movement against me, convincing Coven that it is the safest thing for everyone. He all but told me he was doing it to get me away from you.” Morana stood in silence, arms hanging limp at her sides. “He doesn’t care that I got us protection by law. He is telling everyone that the threat of the King will never truly be gone while I am here, and the King is waiting at the border for me.”

Elvi rushed to the toilet again, retching at the thought of her connection with the King. She couldn't handle the thought of actually having an emotional connection to that monster. Tomorrow, she would walk outside the border, make sure he saw her and then walk straight back in. No communication. No chance of physical contact. No connection. Morana rubbed her back as she washed her mouth out for a second time.

“I have to tell you something else,” she confessed.

“What is it?” Morana asked, leading her upstairs to her bedroom by the hand.

“When I saw the King this morning…” She sat down on the bed, breathing in and out slowly, trying to compose herself. “I felt… I felt the pull.” Elvi burst into hysterics. Morana sat next to her, placing her arm around her shoulder. “I don’t want this. I don’t want him. I want you.”

“I know, Elv. I know. We will find a way out of this. I promise. And I will die before I have anything to do with Arryn.”

*

Rowan sat at his oak desk, pouring over the growing stack of papers. He had neglected his duties since finding Elvi, and he was now paying for it. He had made the decision that each morning he would go to the border and wait for Elvi, and after seeing her, he would return to the castle and perform his duty as King. As of yet, the general public were unaware of the reason for his absence, and until he had organised how to bring it to light properly, with minimal personal damage, it was going to stay that way. He refused to bring Elvi into his life in a way that may bring her harm. A knock at the heavy door stayed his hand.

“Enter” he said roughly.

Rowan watched as the daughter of his second walked in. Her long brown hair was in an elegant series of braids today. He had once mentioned to her that braids looked pretty on her, and since that day, he hadn’t seen her without some form of them. Her thigh length skirt swished playfully around her legs as she turned around. She closed the door quickly and sat down opposite him without invitation. He raised an eyebrow at this but stayed silent. He waited for her to speak, not encouraging her time in his office. She had become more insistent on spending time with him recently, and if he was honest with himself, it was beginning to get on his nerves. However, he had to keep the peace, for Alarik’s sanity if nothing else.

“My King, I have not seen you in four days. I am beginning to think you don’t wish to see me” she pouted.

“That isn’t the case Asena (a~see~na.) As you are aware I have been away on important business.”

“I know, Daddy told me. But he also told me that you have been returning every night, and not once have you come to see me” she whined.

Rowan sighed, wishing to push her out of his office. He stood pointedly and walked around the desk. He gently grabbed her by the elbow, getting her to stand. She misinterpreted his intention, and stood close to him, curling her opposite hand into his shirt, pressing her chest against him.

“I have missed you, My Lord” she said in a would be sensual tone. “I don’t mind if you come to me late in the evening…”

“As I said” Rowan began, cutting her off and pushing her hand away from his chest, “I have been busy, and remain so.”

He walked her to the door and closed it pointedly behind her with a sharp snap. He was going to need to make sure he was not left alone with her again. She seemed to be becoming more and more desperate by the day. He sat himself back at the table, unable to focus now. Elvi’s hair had felt so soft when he had it between his fingers. He had scared her, but it seemed to be for entirely different reasons this time. Why did he touch her? He was being stupid. Of course she wouldn’t want him to touch her. He had to move at a glacial pace with her. She wasn’t like Asena, one of the women Elvi had mentioned in her letter. She was already with someone and was of the demographic he despised. No, tomorrow he was going to have to keep some physical distance between them, as to not scare her again, if she even came to him. Turning back to his papers he blinked away the vision of her green eyes as they met with his. Thinking about her right now was going to get him nowhere.

*

A second knock on the door bought Rowan’s attention back to the world and away from his papers. He groaned to himself fearing it was Asena returning to him. Pushing the file to the side and closing the cover he made himself comfortable in his chair.

“Enter” he said with a clipped tone.

To his surprise it was Delroy (dell~roy), his fourth. Rowan motioned to the chair in front of him and waited for the man to speak. Rowan appreciated Delroy. He was a very quiet and reserved sort of person. He didn’t often seek conversation, so whatever he had to say must be of great importance.

“My King” he started in his gravelly voice. “I must speak to you about Elvi.”

“What is it Delroy?”

“There are rumours, My Lord. Many of them. Most of them false of course, but there are a few that are worryingly close to the truth.”

“Do you think someone is talking?”

“I do,” he answered plainly. “I believe you already know of who I speak. I think you will have many higher subjects at the castle by week’s end, to discuss this rumoured mate, and your reasons for daily absence from the castle.”

Rowan sat forward in his chair, arms resting on the table. He had known it wouldn’t take long but he was hoping to have more time. The initial month was a planned absence, but the men had all returned. It was odd for the King to be gone so frequently and for such lengths of time, and by himself.

“Thank you, my friend. I will have an answer for you by tomorrow evening on how this will be handled.”