Chapter 25

Eliena sat with Lindhall, Rikash, and Kaddar in Ozorne's private chambers. She had explained to Rikash when getting him what was going on and the Stormwing could barely hide his content. Lindhall and Kaddar, who were also in on the plot, managed to keep straight faces while Eliena focused all her energy on looking concerned. Ozorne was rifling through his things, looking for something.

"Ah!" He produced a gleaming steel feather. "Here it is!" Eliena tucked her hand behind her back and crossed her fingers. "Now I shall live forever!" With that, he plunged it into his skin. He flared and when everyone could see again, a Stormwing with Ozorne's head sat in front of them. "What?" He looked around and raised a silver wing. "I'm a-a-a-a Stormwing!"

"Don't sound so disgusted," Rikash told him sweetly. "Stormwings are wonderful creatures. Unless they're after you."

"You!" Ozorne turned blazing eyes on Eliena and Kaddar. "You!" He jabbed a wing at Eliena. "You tricked me!"

"Who? Me?" she asked sweetly. "Now, would I ever do that?" A mischievous smile played on her lips.

Ozorne swore. "You Tortallans-" Eliena cut him off with a blast of violet fire.

"Don't you dare speak of us that way! You are no longer the Emperor Mage of Carthak; therefore I hold more power over you! So silence!" Leo's words came back to her: you never let anyone forget who you are, but she shoved them away. This was different.

"What?" Ozorne squawked. "How…?" Numair appeared from the shadows. "Numair Salmalín! I should have known."

"You forget our lessons, Ozorne," Numair said, leaning against the wall and maintaining a cool composure. "No immortal may hold a mortal throne. And, last I checked, Stormwings are immortals." He smiled.

"But I have Stormwing magic!" Ozorne attempted to use his new magic. Rikash, Numair, Lindhall, and Eliena all blasted him with power.

"You won't live long enough to master it," Rikash informed him. He flapped his wings and flew lazily to the open window. Many Stormwings appeared behind him. "Not with us all after you."

"Don't worry, Ozorne, they'll give you a head start," Kaddar told his uncle. Ozorne flew out as fast as he could- which was quite slow, as he hadn't quite mastered his wings yet.

"Well, Kaddar." Eliena curtsied deeply. "Or should I say, your imperial majesty?" Numair and Lindhall bowed. Eliena looked up, eyes alight. "We've done it!" she cried. "He's gone!" Numair strode over in two long steps and scooped her up to spin her around. She screeched good-naturedly and hugged him tightly. She avoided his kiss and shook her head. "Not now." Numair nodded his head, respect filling his dark eyes. Eliena turned to Kaddar, who also scooped her into a hug. "So… are we still going to be married?"

Kaddar shook his head. "Not unless you want to."

"No offense, but I don't," Eliena replied. Kaddar smiled.

"That's what I thought." He kissed her forehead. "Friends?"

"Of course," she replied. "I'd never give that up."

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Eliena stood at the bottom of the ramp that would take her up to the boat home. She was facing Kaddar, saying final goodbyes. Everyone else was on the boat- including Lindhall who was coming to Tortall with them. Neal was waiting with Daine, and Leo was avoiding Eliena.

"So, you're leaving," Kaddar said.

"I am," she replied. "I've been away a long time. Too long." They were both silent. "I'll miss you."

"And I'll miss you. But, remember, if you ever need aid, I'll be willing to help," Kaddar told her.

"Thanks," Eliena said. Her eyes filled. "Oh, Goddess." She laughed. "I'm going to cry now."

"Hey, where's that tough, brave Eliena I know?" Kaddar teased. Eliena laughed again and wiped her eyes.

"I'm really going to miss you," she remarked.

"Well, you could always stay and marry me… Give the throne to your brother…" Kaddar ventured.

"Kaddar…" Eliena warned. They'd had many conversations of that nature, trying to decide what would be best.

"I'm just joking," Kaddar assured her. "I know that you wouldn't do that."

"Eliena, we had best get going," Duke Gareth called.

"Just a moment!" Eliena called back over her shoulder. "I have to leave," she told Kaddar. He hugged her tightly.

"Stay safe, Eliena. And don't do or say anything stupid," Kaddar whispered. She looked at him.

"Since when have I said or done anything stupid?" she asked. Kaddar opened his mouth. "Actually, don't answer that." He laughed and brushed black hair from her face.

"I'll miss you, El."

"You know, that's getting kind of old," she teased.

"Eliena!" Duke Gareth called sharply. Eliena groaned and rolled her eyes.

"Bye, Kaddar. Stay in touch." She pecked his cheek and lifted her skirts to run up to the boat. Neal put his arm around her waist to hold her as the boat pulled away. "Bye!" She waved ferociously, along with Daine and Neal.

"Goodbye! May the gods bless your voyage!" Kaddar called, waving back.

Eliena blew a kiss into the wind. "Miss you already!"

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Several days later, the ship pulled into port at Port Caynn. There was a large crowd awaiting them. Within it, Eliena spotted her parents, George, Rose, Raoul, Cythera, Buri, Thom, and other nobles she only knew a little. They were surrounded by the King's Own. She waved.

"Welcome home!" Jonathan called. "We missed you!"

"Its good to be back!" Eliena called back. The moment she could, Eliena ran off the ship and flew into her father's strong arms.

"Eli!" he exclaimed, hugging her tightly.

"I'm home! Finally!" Eliena cried, hugging her mother.

"And not engaged," Alanna put in.

Eliena grinned. "That's true."

"Leo! There you are!" Jon said. "We were worried about you."

Leo bowed. "My apologies, your majesty." He shot Eliena a look that told her he was still mad.

"If you hadn't been with Eliena, you might have been in a lot of trouble," the king informed his squire.

"Yes, sire," Leo said.

"Leo, is every all right?" Alanna asked. "You seem mad." If anyone knew mad, it was the Lioness.

"Everything is fine, your majesty," Leo replied.

"You're not talking like it is," Eliena retorted.

"I don't believe you're a part of this conversation, Eli," Leo shot back.

"Ouch, that really hurt," Eliena remarked sarcastically.

"Eli? Leo?" George asked. "Are you two OK?"

"Fine," the two snapped together, glaring at each other.

"But, apparently, I need to be watched over by Squire Leo here," Eliena said.

"You need a keeper, Eli! You've always gotten yourself into trouble!" Leo retorted.

Alanna's eyes flashed. "Eli has never needed watching over by anyone. George, kindly control your son's tongue."

"You know as well as I do that's near impossible, Alanna," George replied. "He's like you in that respect."

"I think you should go say hello to your Uncle Thom, Eliena," Jonathan told her in a way that said he wasn't just suggesting it- he was ordering it.

"I think I'll do that," Eliena replied, glaring at Leo. She curtsied to her parents. "Mother, father." She nodded to George. "Uncle George." Her eyes were cold as she looked at Leo. "Squire Leonard."

With that, she walked away.

Author's Note- so, I found this new band I like. They're called Cute Is What We Aim For. Really good, if you ask me. In other, more related news, I wrote the first two chapters of a new fan fic. Not sure when it will go up, though. I at least want to get closer to finishing this before I put it up. So… I think I'll go eat dinner now. I haven't eaten since 10 this morning and it is now after 5:30. REVIEW.