Chapter Thirty-One
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Artair was put under house arrest in a cottage to the north. He accepted his fate willingly.

All of the races were given a different area of land. The merrow took control of River Velia and Lakes Velia and Twein. The trolls received three different caves with plenty of space. The faeries received four mountains. The stiria were delivered the cold northern lands that no one wanted. The elves decided to live among the humans in different villages together. Havane became a part of Krialle, but few people wanted to live there.

A council was formed as the connection between the races. One of each race was on the council, with one leader. Nimue became the merrow representative, Alianor for the trolls, an elf and stiria I did not know, and Dianthe for the faeries. The human representative was none other than Liam, a good choice, in my opinion. A peaceful man became head of the council. As for the humans of Krialle, they were headed by three different people that kept each other in check.

Lucia and Girec's funeral was held. Their headstones were placed side-by-side, as they would have wished. I bawled the entire time, and Liam shed a few years himself. My parents and sisters only got to keep their manors because I was a hero. The nobles weren't fans of my task, however. Their titles were revoked.

Tonight was a ball, in my honor. I didn't really wish to attend, but Laurel convinced me.

"I wanted to thank you for everything. My son is now Krialle's historian. His dream has been fulfilled." She smiled widely. "In return for your services, I'm going to help prepare you for the ball tonight."

"I'm not going," I said. "I prefer not to attend . . . social events."

"Liam will be there," Laurel said gently. "You haven't seen him in a while because of the council. Tonight, you'll blow him away with your beauty."

"What beauty?" I snorted.

"You are beautiful," Laurel assured me. "Now, let me help you get ready."

I sighed. "Very well."

Laurel had made me a gorgeous silver dress that shined like starlight. I was reminded that elves were the best seamstresses in all the land. She coiffed my wild, brown hair, which was quite long now.

"Are you going to apply cosmetics?" I asked. There was a few cuts on my forehead, and a small bruise on my cheek.

She shook her head. "I think Liam will appreciate seeing you the way your are." Laurel guided me over to the mirror.

I didn't laugh this time. I smiled. I still was short and scrawny, but now I had a mature look of determination in my eyes. Silver eyes that still seemed foreign to me. My hair was up on my head, and a couple wild curls framed my face. The dress accentuated my illuminated eyes, and flowed off of me in a beautiful way. It wasn't frilly and billowy. It was simple and elegant. A dress fit for none other . . . than me.

I turned around and hugged Laurel. "Thank you," I whispered in her pointed ear.

"You're welcome," she said.

The ball was the grandest social event I'd ever attended. I was nervous as the herald announced me. What if Liam didn't like me? What if he found some other girl? What would I do? I was comforted as I walked down the stairs. All of my friends were smiling up at me. Assana, Jax, Dianthe, Urora, Ferrowin, and Nimue all looked happy.

"Would you like to dance?" Ferrowin asked, tugging at his collar.

"Of course," I said.

Ferrowin told me all about his job as a historian. All about it. Much more than I wanted to know. But it was nice to see him happy again. I loved seeing the smiles on everyone's face.

I found Lady Idena and Jax. It had been arranged for little Jax to stay with her. I could already tell she was teaching him a little spy work. It was sweet to see her look at him with motherly concern. Perhaps it would soften her up a bit.

"Do you want to dance?" Jax asked. "Lady 'Dena taught me how."

I grinned. "I would love to."

Jax led me onto the ballroom floor. "Did my dagger help you?" he asked me.

"I lost your dagger, Jax," I admitted guiltily.

"Did it save you?" he asked.

"Yes, it did," I said.

"I don't mind."

This kid was too nice. "How has it been, living with Lady Idena?"

He grinned widely. "Spectacular. She's so nice."

I wouldn't describe Idena as nice. "I'm glad."

The dance ended, and I looked around for Liam. Someone tapped me on the shoulder, and I whipped around, thinking it was him. It wasn't, but the person still brought a smile to my face. "Sam!"

He grinned. "Hello, Miss Lady Fendway."

I rolled my eyes. "Just Evelin."

"All right. Just Evelin, do you want to dance?" Sam teased.

I laughed. "You are impossible."

"No, my name is Sam, not impossible. Would you like to dance?"

I took his hand. "Why not?"

Spending time with Sam was like a breath of fresh air. His positivity and cheerfulness made me smile within moments. As we began to dance another, I heard a voice behind me.

"You love dancing with Sam, don't you Lady Fendway," Liam said.

I broke from Sam's hands and embraced Liam tightly. He spun me around in the air, then sat me down.

His gaze reached my whole appearance, and his eyes widened. "You look . . . you look perfect," he said, stumbling over the words.

I blushed. "Thank you."

"Would you like to dance, Lady Fendway?" Liam asked.

"I'd love to, Lord Duval."

In his arms, I felt beautiful. He whispered intimate things in my ear, and I was blushing the entire time, not noticing anyone around me. It felt like Liam and I were the only two people there. But after three songs, I was complaining about the dance.

Liam laughed, and tucked a curl behind my ear. "Do you remember what day it was when your eyes turned silver?"

I shrugged.

He grinned. "It was your birthday. You're sixteen now, Evelin. I guess being sixteen made you able to handle your power."

"Yes! Now I'm only two years younger than you. Watch out, or soon I might be taller than you."

We both laughed.

"Did you get me a present?" I asked innocently.

He smiled. "Of course I did. It's at my sister's house in Contoon."

"Let's go get it," I said.

"It's almost a day away," Liam said.

"I don't like social events anyway," I said.

Liam's eyes danced in a smile. "Very well, Evelin. Let's go."

We snuck out the stables on Liam's horse. He put me in front of him, and wrapped his arms around me. I loved the feeling of protection. I leaned back into Liam and closed my eyes . . .

Soon, we arrived.

"Wake up," Liam said. It was before dawn. "Let's go see my sister."

"Will she even be awake?" I asked.

He shrugged. "Probably not, but she'll want to meet you."

I rolled my eyes. "You're rude."

He just grinned and dismounted the horse. I began to get down, but he grabbed me around the waist and lifted me down.

I glared at him, but he knew it was all a jest. "I can get down myself," I said.

"Yes, but I wanted to help you," he said. "Won't you allow me that luxury?"

"How is helping me a luxury?"

He smiled. "Because then I get to see a rosy blush on your cheeks."

I blushed even more. I tried to glare at him, but I couldn't. The affection I felt for him was too strong. My heart was too full. Did I love him? Did it go that far? It certainly felt like it. When I could see his eyes, it made me feel protected and loved. And whenever we were separated, it felt like something was pulling me toward him.

He knocked on his sister's door, and a tired woman with bleary blue eyes and mussed, dark brown opened the door. "Liam!" she exclaimed. "Come in!" She noticed me. "And who is this?" She saw my silver eyes. "The Enchanta," she breathed.

We walked in. "Ailla," Liam said. "This is Evelin Fendway. Evie, this is my sister."

"Nice to meet you," I said.

Ailla grinned. "You, too. So, has Liam taken a fancy to you?"

I felt my face redden.

She laughed, a clear bright sound. "Liam, how did you manage to charm this girl? She's much too good for you."

"I'm the human council member," Liam defended.

"She's the hero!" Ailla said.

"I saved her life a couple times!" Liam said.

"I saved your life more," I teased.

His ears turned a little red. Ailla and I laughed. I liked her.

"Come on, Evelin," Liam said. "Let's go get your gift." He picked up a lantern and led me outside.

As I followed him into the gardens,  I noticed an apple tree close by. "Is that the one I sat in long ago? When I threw apples at you and my brother?"

He rubbed his head from the memory. "Yes." He reached into his bag and pulled out something.

"You had my gift all along?" I said.

"Just look," he said, handing it to me.

I peered down at it in the light of the lantern and laughed. It was the banshee sampler from what seemed like years ago. "You kept this?"

"It came from you. Of course I did."

I blushed furiously. It was too sweet. "How did you know I made it?"

"I saw you put it in there, and I treasured it ever since."

"But I made it," I pointed out. "It  does not count as a gift."

"I thought you'd say that," Liam said. He handed me a yellow rose.

It wasn't red, but it meant the same thing.

He was studying me carefully, waiting for my response. "Do you  . . . like it?"

I kissed him quickly on the cheek. "I love it."

"I was hoping you'd say that," he said in a low, husky tone. He cupped my face with his hands, making me feel infinitely precious. I stepped on my toes and  let my lips touch his. His hand wrapped around my waist, making my breath catch.

I wasn't allergic to roses, after all.

THE END
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Who wants an epilogue? Maybe if enough of you want it, I'll make one . . .