Elara Thornveil's Arc

Chapter 2 of 6

The golden bloom still glowed in Elara's hand when the knock came. The vines gripped every chair in the hall. No one could sit. Tomorrow's court was not ready, and the manor doors were not yet open. Then the heavy front doors swung wide on their own. A woman in a regal blue gown stepped inside. Gold swirled across her sleeves. A crown sat high on her brown hair. She looked at the bound chairs, then at the dust, then at Elara. Queen Cordelia Ashworth did not smile. "I heard this manor had wild magic," she said. "I came to see it myself. I see you cannot even seat a guest." Elara's cheeks went hot. She wanted to welcome people, not shame herself before a visiting queen. Celestia stepped close and spoke low. "She can spread word to every kingdom. One bad report and no family comes to your door." Elara looked at the tight green loops on the furniture. She could not cut them free in time. She would not win Cordelia with a fight. So she did the only thing she knew how to do. She smiled and bowed her head. "Welcome to Plumeria Grand Manor," Elara said. "You came early, so you caught me working. Let me show you the gardens while the hall is set." Cordelia raised one brow. She said nothing, which Elara took as yes. The puppy trotted ahead, sparks flying from its coat. Elara led the queen out among the plumerias. Pink and purple blooms climbed every wall. She told the queen her plan. A kingdom with room for every family. Flowers in every yard. A queen who knew each guest by name. Cordelia walked slowly. She touched a petal. "Pretty words," she said. "Most royals give me pretty words." She turned sharp. "Prove one." Elara did not have a chair to offer. She had the bloom in her hand. She held it out. Its golden center lit Cordelia's face. "This flower caused my trouble inside," Elara said. "But it is the first bloom of my court. I want you to carry it home. So you tell the truth about us. The wild part and the sweet part both." Cordelia stared at the honest gift. For a long moment she did not speak. Then her mouth curved, just a little. She took the bloom. "You are either foolish or kind," she said. "I will decide which when I report." She swept back toward the doors. "I will speak of your gardens. Your chairs, I will forget." The front doors shut behind the queen. Elara let out a shaky breath. Celestia touched her shoulder. "You won her good word," Celestia said. "But you gave away the bloom." Elara's smile dropped. Without the golden bloom, she did not know how to free the chairs. And now more travelers would come, drawn by a queen's report, to a court where no one could sit.