Dante Elderys watched Calyx Archer Heron walk through the palace archway, leading out into the clearing before the forest. Lady Crystobelle stood upon the balcony with him. When she turned to him, she beckoned him forward to join her.
"She proving to be difficult," Lady Crystobelle told him as she once again turned to watch Calyx vanish within the forest. "She still refuses to take off that enchanted ring. Both Priestess Alethaliyah and Greer have foretold that Theodavian Sagedeluna is returning. It does not surprise me for he is a part of the prophecy after all."
Dante raised his eyebrow at that. "I did not know that."
"It is my own personal prediction," she confessed with a shrug. His Queen finally faced him and looked him directly in the eyes. "You are needed in these pending wars, Dante. Your part in this tale will lead from the beginning and to the very end."
He could not keep the surprise from her nor that he believed he ever could. Lady Crystobelle was a master at truth. She gave him a smile with a shimmer of mischievousness in her eyes.
"In fact, you and our young healer seem to be intertwined on the same path," she informed him then smirked. "Perhaps, intertwined in more ways than one."
When he looked away, he heard her chuckle. He sighed not even allowing himself to entertain such thoughts. "Seraphina is doing well in her trade here. I thoroughly doubt she would wish to leave."
"She is young." Lady Crystobelle's agreement with him caused him to once again look into her eerily inquisitive eyes. "But she is no longer a child, Dante. She will want to explore the world away from The Great Willow Tree and I am allowing you to accompany her if you decide to."
He frowned at that. "What do you-"
"There has been much treachery in my woods and I need a representative who will be my eyes, my ears, and my voice out there." She began to walk back into the palace and he followed her as she made it through the alcove. "I need someone who will be the one to rally my forces and my interests. You are my supreme councilor of justice here in The Great Willow Tree, but I also need you to become my ambassador throughout the Tempest Elysium, not just Elovaisus and Crystal Forest." She stopped abruptly to look at him. "Will you be what I need you to be when the time is right?"
Without a moment of hesitation, Dante bowed to her in acceptance and honor. The stoic expression transformed into one of youthful brilliance and she smiled mischievously.
"Wonderful. Just wonderful." She clapped her hands together. "You and your men have already agreed to accompany Seraphina to obtain the Lilies of Celeste for Calyx's herbal tonics, but you and your men will be needed as well for the Cause. You all are my most trusted and loyal warriors. Seraphina will also be Calyx's personal healer at Silverd. I entrust you to lead the Silverd's elvish warriors. I must impress upon the absolute need to keep a watchful eye on Lord Kilburn. His allegiance has been less than favorable as of late." She smiled at him. "Since you shall be departing soon, I believe you should prepare Seraphina with the proper attire for the journey."
With another mischievous look directed upon him, he then watched Lady Crystobelle turn from him and float away as if she made of air. He sighed as he decided to first inform the Heralds that after accompanying Seraphina on the journey to obtain those rare flowers, they would also be joining the Cause. He was quite certain that there would be no objections for all of them had voiced wanting to be a part of the fight.
~
Dante had been right in his assumptions, because all of his men looked pleased with the announcement and the path they were heading down.
Afterward, he headed to the marketplace to find the right attire for Seraphina to wear. He had chosen for her two long tunics with four slits to help with movement, two pairs of trousers, below the knee boots, and a leather belt with beautiful Elvish crystals. The shopkeeper hid her smile as she wrapped his purchases, but he knew that she knew that they were clothes for a woman.
As he made his way through the palace, he saw the plumes of smoke in the distance in the palace gardens. He passed the large fountain with the waterlilies upon the surface and threaded through the labyrinth until he reached the end to find Seraphina's cottage. When he drew closer, the door opened and Lady Vylot bounded out with Seraphina in tow. He held back a groan and forced a smile upon his face when Lady Vylot realized he was there.
He watched the way Seraphina flushed when Vylot whispered something in her ear before she glided over to him just like Lady Crystobelle had. Seraphina just stayed in the open doorway watching them as Lady Vylot stood before him.
"I hear you are departing soon," she chirped and he nodded at her statement. She stepped forward and pretended to pick something off his clothes then straightened his garment. "If you feel the need for some warmth before you must leave, my bed is waiting for you."
Taking a deep breath, he gently pulled Lady Vylot aside and slightly away from the cottage. He glanced back at Seraphina, who immediately pretended to look elsewhere. He smirked at her overly curious nature, knowing she was too intelligent for her own good.
"Lady Vylot, you must stop this," he whispered, returning his attention to the Elvish Lord's daughter. "I had too much wine that night-"
"But we did have a... pleasurable time, did we not?" she huffed. "We are well suited. I think we would make a fine match. I am certain Lady Crystobelle will approve of it."
He sighed then shook his head. "There is nothing for you here, Lady Vylot. Please. This is merely a fantasy."
Lady Vylot scowled. "Plenty of men would love to be with me. Why must you be so stubborn?"
His heart belonged to someone else. That was exactly what he desired to tell her without the necessary politeness to address nobility, but he clamped his mouth shut. Instead, his eyes briefly glanced at Seraphina and once again she quickly looked elsewhere. He bit his lip to keep from laughing at her antics. The little one was definitely attempting to listen to their conversation. Unfortunately, his focus upon her drew unwanted attention from the siren in front of him.
She snorted, rolling her eyes. He gritted his teeth, because he knew she was going to say something disparaging and belittling.
"When you are finished playing with children and you tire of your conquest, come seek me out - your rightful match." Before he can say a word in Seraphina's defense, she gave him a glare, warning him that she wasn't done with her tirade. "It is not wise to mate below your station, Dante. I feel that I am being incredibly generous sharing you as such, but I expect your full cooperation after your dalliance."
With that, the delusional and haughty siren flounced off. He had to keep his sharp tongue from slicing her to shreds. Lady Vylot may have social status, but he could care less about status and diplomatic allegiance when it came to his heart. When he selected a mate, it would not be to be due to prestige nor class. No, it would be for an actual connection and intimacy.
His eyes once again went to the young Elvish healer gawking at him openly. The frustration and anger bubbled to the surface faded as the warmth of her eyes met his and he walked over to her. Anyone would be lucky to have this lady as a mate, because she had a heart of gold. She was more rare than just some fancy trinket.
"I am certain Lady Crystobelle has already discussed with you the journey."
Seraphina nodded. A nervous but bright smile lit her features. "I hope you do not mind. I would go by myself, but Lady Crystobelle feels-"
"Out of the question." His response was stern, but there was no way he would allow her to venture off alone without the proper companion. Seraphina was caught off guard by his abrupt interruption so he attempted to smooth everything over with a better and more pleasant explanation. "There is so much at stake, Seraphina. It just would not be wise for you to be out there by yourself especially with the dangers and perils out there."
Seemingly appeased by his response, she sighed. "That is understandable," she said. "I have never been out there save for when I was a child. I have no survival skills or fighting skills. It makes sense that Lady Crystobelle would request you and your men to accompany me. I just did not wish to take you away from more important things to watch over me."
"I have come bearing gifts." He watched as her eyes wandered, searching his body and realizing he was indeed carrying a bundle of parcels.
"Gifts?"
"Yes, for the journey. Proper attire. You will be dressed differently when you are out in the wilderness."
Wide eyed, Seraphina nodded in understanding as she ventured forward to help him with the parcels. "Oh, indeed."
"I hope you will not object to the trousers."
She shrugged. "If it is practical, why would I object?"
He smiled at her response. Most ladies, who are not accustomed to the hardships of traveling and the wilderness, were old fashioned and still wore Elvish gowns and skirts even when it was not practical to do so. Those certain types of women were that of the same class and mindset as Lady Vylot, who would not dare to be seen in such a way. Albeit, it was customary, but it was not unheard of for a woman nowadays to wear pants.
Without meaning to, his eyes wandered down Seraphina's torso as she led him inside her cottage, eyeing the light green tunic with a long skirt beneath. There was nothing revealing about her outfit. She dressed for ease and comfort.
"May I?"
Dante's eyes returned to Seraphina's face. "Of course. They are yours."