Chapter Seventy-Five

Avery and King Zale stood simultaneously and reached out, gripping each other’s hands affectionately. It was the final day that Avery had to spare in the Pale Seas, and the two had convened for their last ‘official’ conversation of his stay.

“Thank you, my friend. I did not realize that my kingdom had fallen into such disrepair. I… I let my own despair blind me to the needs of my people… Moira would be so disappointed.” He squeezed his eyes shut tightly, fighting back tears of regret and self-loathing.

“She would have understood – and she would be so proud that you’ve come back to your senses. Grief is not something that you can deal with easily, especially not on your own. You have been far stronger than you give yourself credit for.”

Zale shrugged, unconvinced.

“Maybe. But thanks to my pity party, the traffickers have settled in and taken control of the castle. Goddess, I’m so ashamed of myself. We must find a way to get rid of them!”

“The only way we can overcome the traffickers is if we work together. I would be proud to work with you. We shall see your kingdom thrive again, my friend, Avery said encouragingly.” Zale only responded with a small smile. The lines around his eyes had softened a bit, and the droop that had been in his shoulders had disappeared. Seeing the way his people suffered had really seemed to pull him out of his depression.

Now, the deep sadness in his eyes had been replaced with something that resembled a burning fire – he was ready to fight back. It had helped that Maree had barged into one of their meetings a few days ago and declared that she was leaving to travel the realm. Zale was confused at first, and very concerned that his daughter might have been suffering from a bought of mania.

But she shared her encounter with Ellie and Avery with him and expressed her desire to live and love as fully as Ellie did. She told them wanted to be a better person and had gained a new perspective on life. Something about Maree’s desire to change – her desire to grow as a person and help others – had made him realize how bad things had gotten. Their daily visits to different parts of the palace and the surrounding city had also helped him to see the suffering of his people – especially that of the servants.

Avery could tell that it had been hard for him to believe at first. Skepticism dripped in every question he asked, and the way he narrowed his eyes as he’d listened to the slaves’ stories had been troubling. But after he’d seen the fire that had consumed Maree – the desire to learn and grow as a person, to let go of the pain of losing her mother – he’d relented.

The very palace itself seemed to brighten as Zale began to finally come to terms with his wife’s passing. The air around them felt far less heavy than when they arrived. Soft light began filtering through the castle windows, mimicking the view they had seen above the water when they had first arrived. It was almost as if the castle itself had reawakened from a long and dark slumber.

And Avery supposed it had, really. Even back when he had last visited, there had been a deep despair that seemed to linger in the air. He’d seen the shadows even then, though they were far less intrusive than they had ended up becoming. But they had been there nonetheless, and he had chosen to ignore them in favor of indulging his own selfish wants.

His heart squeezed painfully as he thought of his younger self. He knew what he was: a fuck boy, as Ellie had so eloquently said. He was handsome even by fae standards, and he had what every woman wanted: power and wealth.

The more time he’d spent with Ellie, the more he’d realized just how selfish he’d truly been. Being with her, hearing the pain and trauma she’d endured… it had made him realize that what she wanted – what all those women he’d used wanted – was stability and love. They clung to him in hopes that he would be their knight in shining armor, the one that would save them from their circumstances, whatever they may have been.

Because in all honesty, the kingdoms – including his own – were riddled with people barely getting by. Yes, those that lived near the castle shared meals and were protected by the guards, but what of those who lived on the outer parts of Willowvayne? Who protected them against the monsters and traffickers that lurked in the darkness?

It should have been him and the guards, but he’d turned a blind eye to his own people’s suffering. And it had all been because he’d been distracted by pretty women. Ozul had done all he could to keep the outliers safe, but even with his help, they were struggling. He would have never known any of this if he hadn’t met Ellie.

Just hearing about her past was enough to make him see red. He knew that there were probably some things she was leaving out – things too painful for her to speak about – but knowing that she was so close to others that could have helped her made him want to –

The doors to the drawing room he and Zale had been convening in were suddenly thrown open. Zale jumped, his hand immediately going to the sword fastened to his belt, but Avery knew who it was without needing to look.

“Hello, gorgeous. What brings you here?” Avery asked nonchalantly as he picked up some documents that he and Zale had been going over.

“I’ve had an idea!” Ellie exclaimed excitedly as she bounded across the room. Fin lingered near the door, keeping his hand on his sword as he surveyed the surrounding area.

“An idea?” Avery asked curiously. Ellie ran into his arms and took hold of his face, a devious glint in her eye.

“Yes,” she whispered in a hushed voice. “I know how we’re going to draw out the Master and the Mistress.”

“Draw them out?” Zale echoed, confused. “How would we be able to draw them out if they’ve done nothing but slink in the shadows?”

Ellie shot him a dark glare, her irritation with him still evident. Avery grabbed her chin and pulled her attention back to him.

“Calm yourself, Ellie. Zale is doing everything in his power to help us now that he has seen the suffering that the traffickers have caused. He is an ally.”

She frowned at his words, but the look of loathing on her face seemed to soften into uncertainty. She pulled out of Avery’s hands and turned to face Zale, her hands on her hips.

“So, you’re going to help, now? No more hiding in your palace and ignoring the pleas of those who need your help?”

Avery groaned internally. Zale was the kind of person who demanded respect. If he hadn’t taken quite a shine to Ellie when they first met, then she most definitely would have been punished for her insolence. As it was, Zale’s eyes seemed to almost sparkle with mirth at her bluntness. He placed his right hand over his heart and bowed lowly before her, shocking everyone in the room.

“Princess Ellie, future Queen of Willowvayne, I hereby vow to aid you and Prince Avery in your fight to destroy the trafficking ring. My kingdom will assist yours however we can.”

He remained bowed until Avery nudged Ellie. She glanced up at him, panicked.

*What do I do?* she mouthed.

Avery suppressed a chuckle before silently mouthing,* Thank him, of course.*

“Thank you, King Zale. You are a good man, and I look forward to working with you.” She kept her voice calm and her face as neutral as possible, but she couldn't hide the pink that tinted her cheeks.

Zale stood and gave her a warm smile.

“As do I, princess. Now, as much as I would love to hear about your idea, must go – I need to go have a word with my staff. Please, enjoy the rest of your stay here.” He left quickly, an air of determination hanging around him as he left.

“What the fuck was that about?” Ellie asked as Elvin closed the doors after him.

“Zale has seen what has happened to his kingdom in his… *absence*. He is on his way to root out the slavers and… have them dealt with.”

Ellie grimaced, understanding his meaning.

“I hope they feel the same kind of pain that they have inflicted on others,” Fin muttered darkly. Ellie shivered at his words, so Avery cleared his throat loudly to distract her.

“What was this idea you had to draw out the Master and the Mistress?”

“Wha –? Oh! I’d overheard something about a festival that’s coming up in Willowvayne from some of the servants…” she began.

“Ah, yes! The summer solstice is coming up! This is when we celebrate the Sun God – lover of the Moon Goddess.”

“Right. So, *about* the festival…”

He didn’t like they was she’d said that.

“What about the festival?” he asked suspiciously.

“Well… it will be busy…”

“…Yes, it will be…”

“… And since it will be busy, it will be crowded…”

“…That is generally how it works…”

“…So, and hear me out before you say ‘no,’ okay? What if… I go to the festival… and wander around alone…?”

"Ellie, you can't be serious! I--" Avery's words were cut off by the sudden wave of water that crashed violently into the room.