The Queen Walks Away

Synopsis

At the once-in-a-century Blessing Ceremony of the Sacred Tree, I stood on the altar beside Elena, a Wandering Fey I'd saved. As golden divine light gathered above the three of us, the entire elven nation chanted devoutly, urging the King of the Elves to kiss his future queen. I closed my eyes, heart full of joy. But Leonard Everwood reached past me, cupped Elena's face, and kissed her deeply. The sacred light shattered. Leonard's desire hadn't fully faded from his eyes. When he saw my pale face, he casually waved away the ripples of Arcane Resonance still lingering between them. "Sorry. Reflex from the Arcane Resonance. We've, uh, practiced together in the sacred springs way too many times," he said to me. Elena nervously folded the translucent wings that had just grown from her back. Leonard sighed and traced the Priestess Sigil on my wrist. "Your soul is too pure. I couldn't bear to taint it with lust. Elena's different. She knows how to please me. She's not so... restrained," he said. He looked at me like he was doing me a favor, his eyes both passionate and completely shameless. Then he added, "She gets the pleasure. You get the throne. That doesn't change the fact that I love you most before the gods." The backlash of Nature's Force shattered my consciousness. Pain tore through my organs. Under the watching eyes of the Seers, I looked at this so-called perfect couple. "Leonard. I'm giving the queen's crown back to the Council of Elders," I said slowly.