Page 49 of Board Games and Broomsticks

‘You grew up here?’ Nyssa asked, coming to a hover directly above the forest centre. She couldn’t see anything below the treeline, but even that was enough for her to imagine that making the choice to leave this place would be a difficult one.

‘I did. Before Nighthaven, it was the only home I’d ever known.’ There was a hint of sadness in Elowen’s tone, one Nyssa felt in the depths of her soul. Like Elowen, Nighthaven was the place she longed for now, but that didn’t mean she still didn’t miss the covenstead’s large, candlelit libraries or its gardens filled with every magical ingredient a witch could want.

‘Are you sure you’ll be all right going back?’ Nyssa asked. ‘I can drop you off outside the forest and meet with Elder Rhydian alone.’

Elowen took a deep breath. ‘No, I want to be there.’ The elf pointed to a section of the forest where the trees seemed to cluster together in a circle. ‘There’s a grove below those trees; that’s where we’re to meet.’

With little more than a nod, Nyssa began their descent. She took it slowly, giving Elowen time to back out if she changed her mind, but the elf remained silent, her heartbeat steady against Nyssa’s back. Slowly, the pink of dawn was replaced by the shadows of the forest. Large, gnarled trees bent over a small grove, their branches twisted towards the moss-covered boulders at its centre like reaching fingers. Somewhere nearby a stream trickled over rocks, and Nyssa was instantly reminded of the scene in Enchanted Thorns.

I’m going to murder you, Liora.

Shaking her head to refocus herself, she steered the broom carefully down until their feet brushed the damp earth. Nyx immediately hopped out of her basket, stretching her legs and kneading the leaf-strewn floor. Elowen climbed off gracefully, offering to hold the broom as Nyssa brushed down her skirts, then held open her satchel for Nyx to jump into. As Nyssa reached for her broom again, she could see faint worry lines forming around Elowen’s eyes. Her heart squeezed at the thought that it was her fault that Elowen was in this position, having to ask her old clan for help after all this time.

‘Hey, El.’ Nyssa’s voice was soft, barely more than a whisper. ‘It’s going to be okay.’

‘I know.’ Elowen sighed, forcing a small smile, though Nyssa could sense the tension in the set of the elf’s shoulders, could see her eyes flicking around the grove with an edge of unease.

Nyssa reached a hand up to cup Elowen’s jaw, gently turning the elf’s head until she was focused entirely on Nyssa. Ancestors, those eyes.

‘I’m right here with you, El. I’ve got you, I promise,’ Nyssa murmured, and before she could stop herself, she pushed up on to her toes and pressed a soft kiss to Elowen’s lips.

The elf hesitated at first, and then slowly melted into Nyssa, welcoming the kiss as any lingering tension dissipated into the air around them. Elowen pulled Nyssa closer as Nyssa poured everything she couldn’t quite say into the kiss: her awe at Elowen’s courage in returning to Tŷ Canol, how honoured she felt that Elowen trusted her enough to want her there, her fierce certainty that she would do whatever it took to protect the elf.

Above all, though, there was the simple truth of it: there was nowhere else in the world Nyssa would rather be than here, in this moment, with Elowen.

After what felt simultaneously like an eternity and no time at all, the pair broke apart, their breathing slightly ragged, Elowen’s cheeks more flushed than usual. Nyssa held her gaze, smiling softly.

‘Thanks,’ Elowen said after a moment. ‘That was a … helpful distraction.’

‘Any time,’ Nyssa replied, feeling the flush in her own cheeks growing deeper.

Thankfully, they weren’t given much time to dwell on the shyness bubbling between them, because at that moment there was a rustling in front of them and a figure appeared out of the thicket. Tall and thin like the trees around him, the elf wore long, dark green robes decorated with whorls of golden leaves. There was a golden circlet resting against his forehead, and an ornate wooden staff in his left hand.

‘Elowen,’ he bowed his head, voice a low rumble, ‘it is an honour to see you again.’

Elowen stepped forward and fell into a half-bow of her own. ‘The pleasure is mine, Elder. Thank you for permitting us.’

‘Of course. Although as I’m sure you’re aware, you are only to tread ground in elven territory; the druid order that resides here won’t take kindly to trespassers.’

The leaves around them gave a sudden rustle, as if the forest itself were listening. Nyssa had heard of the elven and druid clans that inhabited hidden woodland territories, where they lived a more traditional life than those that chose to reside in towns and cities, but she had never had reason to venture into said territories before. It felt sacred. Like entering a hidden, divine world.

‘I remember, Elder,’ Elowen replied. ‘We shan’t enter their territory. Nyssa and I shall only remain long enough to retrieve the orb, and then we’ll be on our way.’

Nyssa offered what felt like an awkward bow when the Elder’s gaze settled on her. ‘Greetings, Elder Rhydian. Thank you so much for allowing us to use the orb.’

‘I have not yet made such a decision. I invited you here to test your worth; then, we shall see.’

Nyssa had to clench her fists to channel the sudden frustration rushing through her. She was so sick of people requiring her to prove her worth, and if the entire fate of Nighthaven and potentially the wider magical community didn’t depend on it, Nyssa would have told the Elder where he could stuff his precious orb.

Instead, she plastered on her most polite, coven-leader smile. ‘Of course, Elder.’

With a single gesture of his staff, Rhydian said, ‘Come.’

He turned and retreated into the trees without a sound. Elowen moved to stand beside Nyssa, her arm brushing lightly against hers. ‘Do you know what sort of test he has in store?’ Nyssa asked in a low whisper as they followed after the Elder.

‘Not him,’ Elowen replied. She looked different beneath the forest canopy. Brighter, almost, as if a light had been lit beneath her skin. Still, there was a tension to the set of her jaw. A wariness to her gaze. ‘The orb will determine if the elf is worthy.’

Nyssa’s step faltered. She’d assumed she’d be the one being tested, given it was her spell they’d be using the orb for.