Chapter 59
King Harvey cheerily hugs me as he laughs. “Elena! This power you are exhibiting is very advanced for new lunas and beyond the human capability.”
“Really?!” I exclaim. “I am surpassing new lunas?”
“Of course! I must believe it is your heart, Elena. Now, please tell me what you think of?”
At his kind words, I grin so hard my face aches.
“Thank you so much, King Harvey. I think of a painter painting, they do one section at a time. It is kind of like I am painting and highlighting my body parts that I want to be powerful and used.”
“You made yourself levitate, Elena. That is so impressive.” King Harvey whispers in soft awe. He smiles happily. “I am so proud of you.”
“Thank you, King Harvey.”
“I want to see if I can try this…” King Harvey mutters as he opens his massive palm. At one clench of his palm, he forms a healing red flame in his hand. “Lift me up.” He says to the flame.
Now, the intensity of the flame shines, a rich and velvet red. But nothing happens. There is no lifting of his hand or any of his fingers. Not even his wrist tilts slightly upright. He frowns and looks at me.
“Can I see you, do it?” King Harvey asks innocently.
My heart jumps in my chest and I hope I can.
“I-I will try.”
King Harvey squeezes my shoulder. “Do not worry about it too much, Elena. Do you not know you make me so happy no matter what? Try to think from instinct.”
Nodding, I stare at my feet and think of myself in the air like I was about ten minutes ago. Nothing happens. Waving my hands at my feet gives me a slight spark of red flames, and it wraps around my feet, but there is nothing.
Lifting my right foot, a bit, I try to ignite it with a flame. Thankfully, a flame flies out my palm as it itches and wraps around it. My foot doesn’t go up, but the laces of my boots do. They try to lift and fly off my boot.
The laces come loose and smack loudly into the stone wall in front of us. Exhaling, and feeling rather strange, I huff and lower my shoulders. What was that?
Not impressive.
“Take your shoe off, Elena. Perhaps you need to see it?”
“I didn’t need to see it when we practiced, King Harvey.” I inform with a groan.
This is really starting to make me angry. I want to do more.
“That is correct, Elena, but your mind was in fight or flight. This is more… safe practice.” King Harvey replies as he runs his hand down my back and soothingly rubs my back. “You are more than capable, Elena.”
“Thank you, King Harvey.” I have no strength to look into his eyes.
Defeat overwhelms my body and I sit on the floor. I just need a break; I need a minute. King Harvey sits beside me and pulls me into his lap to hold me. Taking comfort in him, I rest my head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat.
King Harvey covers my hand with his. The difference in our sizes awakens a fire inside me. I would much rather be with him in our bedroom...
King Harvey squeezes my hand comfortably and the warmth of his body melts me further.
“Elena,” King Harvey whispers in my ear. “Can you see your hand?”
I laugh at his silly question. “No, honey.”
“Excellent, my wife.” King Harvey warmly says and squeezes my hand again. “I have covered your hand with mine. It is painted as you say. Now, you shall cover my hand with a flame, thinking of your hand.”
My throat closes. “Oh. You want me to do that, you think I can?”
“You can.” King Harvey firmly reassures. “Try, Elena.”
Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I try to get myself in the mindset of summoning my luna powers. Eventually, my palm begins to itch and burn, and my hand begins to shake. King Harvey’s knuckles sparkle and crackle because of my powers.
Slowly, a flame blooms nonthreateningly out of the top of King Harvey’s hand. It looks more like a thin lotus petal standing upright and closed. It fades away in a blink.
I sigh. “Did that hurt you?”
My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach.
“It was very comforting, Elena. It was rather beautiful. Not a flame though.” King Harvey kisses me on the cheek loudly. “I felt the power surge through you. Strong, Elena.”
“I know, it wasn’t a flame.” I sigh again. “I am sorry.”
“No worries. You did do as I said. Some more training and you will be able to do it.”
Tears fill my eyes. “Did I upset you?”
“No, my love!” King Harvey wraps his arms around me tightly and rocks me in his chest as I twist to wrap my arms around his neck. “No, no, you are doing excellent! More than I expected.” King Harvey chuckles. “I did not believe you would marry me.”
“Huh?” This shock halts my tears. “Why?”
“You are human, and I am not, so it is an odd match… I wanted you but I didn’t know if you would want marriage. I was thrilled when you brought up your human marriage.”
“Thankfully you were wrong!”
“Thankfully!” King Harvey agrees as he picks me up. “I have left my cloak in our room. Listen closely, Elena.” King Harvey’s voice drops to a whisper. “Mother is here in our room; you shall hide in the bathroom. It has a cloaking magic so she will not sense you, stay quiet and listen. Understand?”
“Why do you want me around, King Harvey?”
I can’t help recalling my last meeting with his mother and the mess of the attack we had.
King Harvey senses my nerves and questions. He looks down at me seriously. “Elena, this is a show of trust, I want you here with me and always informed.”
“Oh, that is what I mentioned earlier to keep me in the loop.”
“Yes.”
In a blur and one fast kiss, King Harvey puts me in our bathroom and closes the door. I press my ear to the door and in less than a minute I hear his mother speak.
“Harvey. The human?” His mother spits. Her talons click with every word.
“My wife!” King Harvey shouts so loud I take a cautious step back. “Elena is my wife! After her luna exhibit you claimed to accept her.”
His mother sighs. “It is not easy to simply let go of tradition, Harvey. I shall do my best. Yet, my fears are being realized.”
“Fears?” King Harvey asks.
“There is a Fate Party to take place. This is for all the lunas and kings to meet to get to know one another. Sign treaties and powers.”
“Elena will not attend. Nor will I.” King Harvey replies coldly. “I do not need any gaze to land on my wife. I am aware they will be cruel. It is not safe.”
“You will single yourself out, Harvey.” His mother replies sadly as he growls. “As will Elena, be.”
“Elena already is, Mother. I will not put her in that position, a room overflowing with enemies.”
“Harvey. I understand you wish to protect your wife, but this will put the whole kingdom in danger!”
“I allow it.” King Harvey replies with no hesitation.
I can hear his heart pounding between every syllable he utters and my heart replies. My heart beats insanely in my chest. How can he be saying this? I am not worth his kingdom!
“Harvey! How dare you put your wife above your people!”
“I love her!” King Harvey screams with such fury that I can hear his voice deepening, the wolf inside him awakening.
After his mother huffs, she is gone. The door opens and slams shut, then she begins to scream in the hallway at her husband.
My husband pulls me out of the bathroom and into a hug.
“I am going to that party.” I say to him.
King Harvey freezes. “I forbid it.”
“I am not worth your kingdom.”
“I decide that!”
“I am your wife; you listen to me!” I yell.
