by Amy Patrick
Her eyes didn’t meet mine. Instead, she kept them on her hands and adjusted her rings. “I don’t know. He wouldn’t tell me. But it doesn’t matter. Whatever it is—say yes.”
Watching her run her thumb repeatedly over the band on her left ring finger, the familiar weight of guilt settled over me like a heavy old blanket steeped in that musty attic smell.
“I always do.” Outside my window, the other cars passed in a blur. I slumped in my seat, letting out a long breath. “What choice do I have?”
Chapter Four
Ryann
Altum was a flurry of activity as I made my way from the royal residence to my family’s quarters in another part of the cavernous underground kingdom. It was Saturday, and as I had no school today, I’d spent last night in my private suite in the palace.
Even outside of Lad’s home, there was a palpable feeling of excitement. For the first time in centuries, an ambassador from the Dark Court would be in residence. It was supposed to cement the peace between the tribes and create more cooperation, more openness between them.
Elves rushed along the paths, carrying items toward the palace in preparation for today’s welcoming ceremonies. Many were more finely dressed than usual. I would be too, after Grandma Neena helped me get ready. She’d offered to let me wear one of her own vintage Elven-made dresses for the occasion.
I ascended one of the stone staircases built into the cavern wall. The residential areas were set up something like high rises, with families occupying entire floors in multi-room dwellings. Arriving at my Amma and Afi’s door, I opened it and walked in without knocking. I was family now.
Grandma greeted me just inside. Good morning, Ryann. Have you seen your great-grandparents today? Having grown up in Altum, she was entirely comfortable with silent communication and had easily fallen back into using it now that she spent most of her time here.
Amma and Afi were the names I used for her parents Dierk and Else, who appeared about thirty years younger than her, but seemed like grandparents in every other way. Their other daughter Katrien, my great-aunt, had never had children, so I was the only grandchild. Once they’d gotten past the fact I was part human and met me, they doted on me to a ridiculous degree.
I walked through the marketplace but didn’t see them. Maybe they’ve gone to the palace already? They are attending the ceremony today, right?
Yes, but they’ll come back here first. Amma is supposed to be bringing the flowers for you to present to Ava.
Beyond the new emissary’s name and profession, Lad said he knew little about her. One thing was for sure, as a Dark Elf she’d have a lot of experience interacting with humans and the ability to communicate aloud. For that reason, I was anticipating Ava Morten’s arrival as much as everyone else here. Though I could now communicate in the Elven way, I really missed spoken language when I spent time in Altum. I had started giving English lessons to a few Elves who’d expressed interest in learning, but the number was small.
I followed Grandma to her room to get dressed. I liked it here, surrounded by things from her childhood—a doll she’d loved, her beautiful Elven clothing, detailed bronze miniatures lined up on her dressing table, each representing a famous historical figure from Elven lore.
I usually enjoyed staying here myself, but tradition held that the royal bride be assigned her own suite of rooms in the palace, and Lad and I had stayed up late last night. It had been easier to just tiptoe down the hallway than trek across the kingdom in a wee hours walk of shame.
Probably no one would have criticized my staying overnight in Lad’s room—I was his betrothed, and he was the king. But he insisted he couldn’t have me sleeping so close by if he were going to keep to his vow of pre-marital chastity.
Grandma pulled the dress from a large wooden wardrobe. Well, what do you think?
“Oh, it’s so beautiful. Do you think it’ll fit?” I took the delicate dress from her and held it up. Like all Elven-made clothing, it felt so light, it was like holding a tissue rather than a garment. They felt wonderful on, like being naked—but warmer.
Slipping it over my head, I went to stand in front of the mirror above her dressing table.
“It fits,” she said, slipping back into verbal communication as she often did when I was around. She came up behind me and fastened the back buttons then planted a kiss on my cheek.
“You look like the princess you are.” Pride shone in her eyes as she smiled at me in the mirror, and warmth rushed through my heart.
If I wasn’t so selfish, I’d say the best thing that had come of my meeting Lad was that Grandma Neena had been reunited with her family after forty years of estrangement. She was the happiest I’d ever seen her. Though her hair was white, as it had been since her twenties, she appeared younger and healthier, too.
“Well, I hope I can look the part,” I told her, feeling a simmer of nerves in my belly. “Because I guess that’s my future—receiving emissaries, being the royal hostess. Today’s just the start.”
I would never have an actual leadership role here. For one thing, I was female, and that wasn’t how Light Elven hierarchy worked. For another, I wasn’t fully Elven. I was only accepted because of Lad. But I was happy just to be allowed to be with him in his kingdom. It was enough. And he wasn’t the least bit ashamed of me, making sure we were seen together as often as possible.
For today’s event, we’d be seated side by side in the front of the great hall. I was a bit nervous about that, unsure of how his people would see it, since we weren’t married yet, and I wasn’t actual royalty until that day.
The hall was already nearly full when we got to the small room adjoining it, and I peeked through the door.
You’ll be fine. Grandma squeezed my hand, obviously reading my anxiety. When in doubt, just smile and pretend you’ve seen it all before.
I grabbed her hand tighter. I don’t know if I’m ready for this.
Sure you are, darlin’. And ready or not, that boy needs you.
I nodded rapidly. Yes. Okay. Lad needed me. I could do it for him. I’d just pretend I’d seen it all before. And that I wasn’t about to throw up.
Grandma went to sit with her sister and parents while I waited for Lad. A few minutes later, he swept in with a rush of energy and fresh, woodsy-scented air. His gaze fell on me, and his eyes sparked with pleasure.
“Good morning.” His greeting was punctuated with a vigorous kiss.
The nerves in my belly were replaced with a pleasant tingle as if I’d bitten into the most decadent frosted cupcake. Yes, this was where I was meant to be—wherever he was—no matter what that entailed. “Good morning yourself. You’ve been outside.”
“I went for a little walk before having to spend the day cooped up doing business.”
“A walk in the treetops, no doubt.” I laughed. “Did you get a look at her?”
He knew I meant Ava, who was rumored to be exceptionally beautiful in person. When Lad told me she was a model, of course I looked her up online. And yes, she was stunning, but you never knew—sometimes people looked different up close.
“No. Not yet,” he said. “She hasn’t arrived, though I’m assured she’s close. Come on, let’s take our places in the hall.”
With my hand on his arm, we proceeded through the enormous ornately carved wooden doors into the great hall, escorted by two brawny Elven guards. They were more of an accessory than a necessity at a gathering like this, but I guessed it was important to demonstrate that Lad—and his future queen—were well-guarded.
We took our seats, and I looked out over the hall, over the other-worldly collection of beautiful faces and flawless figures, fighting to make myself accept it all as my new reality. I’d almost gotten used to Lad’s physical perfection. Almost. But to see so many of his people gathered together in one place—there was no question that I was not in Kansas anymore, so to speak.
Spotting Grandma in the front row, I lifted a hand to wave to her and Katrien and my Amma and Afi bes
ide her. Amma lifted a bouquet of assorted fall flowers to show me she had them for later.
Lad’s assistant Rikard stepped up behind him and touched him lightly on the shoulder. Lad turned toward the young man, listening to his silent message.
Then he leaned close to me. “She’s here.”
The doors at the back of the hall opened, and my heart fluttered. Most of the Dark Elves I’d met had been intimidating, if not downright mean. Would this woman be like Amalia, who’d been assigned to supervise the fan pod at Nox’s house, or Ingrid who’d served as Reggie Dillon’s warden-slash-pimp?
For a moment, we all waited, staring at the open doorway. In walked a stunning redhead—not a grown woman, but a girl, maybe a couple years older than me. Her pictures made her look more mature. She was long-legged and slim with huge dark eyes and a serious expression. She wore a white floor-length skirt with a deep slit and a colorful, beaded halter top.
She looked every bit the Hollywood fashion model, striding confidently down the hall’s central aisle toward us. Ava’s beauty lived up to her photographs and then some.
But my eyes were drawn to her companion. He was one of the most striking guys I’d ever seen—not as handsome as Lad, but nearly so—and that was saying something. In fact, he looked a lot like him, big-framed and blond, with piercing green eyes.
I tore my gaze away and glanced over the crowd. All eyes were locked on the beautiful pair. Together they approached the throne, walking at a measured pace, not seeming the least bit anxious about being at the center of such focused public attention. Dark Elves through and through.
“Your Highness,” the girl said. “I am Ava Morten. I’m most grateful for your warm hospitality and look forward to serving you in your kingdom. Reports of your leadership glamour are well-founded.” She dipped her head in a respectful bow, showing the top of her glistening red hair. The guy beside her bowed deeply as well.
Lad addressed her aloud, I assumed because that’s how she’d spoken to him. “It’s our kingdom, now. You are most welcome, Ava. I’m sure your own glamour and your presence will be of great benefit to both our Courts. And I see you have a travel escort. He is welcome to stay and refresh himself before the journey back to California.”
Ava took a step forward, raising her palms in an imploring gesture. “If it is possible and pleasing to Your Highness, I ask that he be allowed to stay. This is Culley Rune.” There was a pause. “He is my betrothed.”
Lad’s head snapped back. “Oh. I wasn’t informed that you were betrothed—or planning to bring him along.”
“There was no time. It just happened. And we cannot bear to be apart. You must understand.”
Now she cut her eyes over to me, acknowledging me for the first time since entering the hall. Lad noticed it, too. He glanced between the two of us. Of course he understood. If she and this Culley person felt about each other the way Lad and I felt, then this ambassadorship would be a misery for the both of them if they were forced to live apart.
I could tell Lad wanted to be compassionate. But he was understandably concerned about the surprising alteration in plans. It bothered me, too. Sure, long-distance communication was a bit of a challenge for the technology-phobic Light Elves, but there must be some kind of information exchange going on between the two Courts. And this was a big change.
We’d essentially have two emissaries from the Dark Court. Two outsiders living among us. Two Dark Elves with glamours we didn’t yet know and intentions we couldn’t be entirely certain of.
Feeling protective of Lad, I extended my glamour toward the girl. Hmmm… despite her confident facade, she was nervous—afraid even—maybe that Lad would say no to her request? The guy was harder to read.
As I studied him, he gave me a quick side glance, and I could have sworn he winked. One corner of his mouth edged up in a hint of a smile. Good God, he was cocky. Though he looked nothing like him, he reminded me a little of Nox. All I could read from him was sardonic amusement—and a pretty hefty sense of self-confidence. Whatever he was here to do—he had no doubt he’d get the job done.
The two of them waited patiently before Lad. Finally, a smile spread across my fiancé’s face. “Of course. Congratulations to you both. And welcome to you, Culley. Please communicate my best wishes to your father. I hope you’ll soon feel at home here.”
Culley bowed again, keeping his remarkable eyes trained on the throne. “Thank you, Your Highness. I’m certain I will.”
Chapter Five
Lad
After the gathering, our newly arrived guests were shown to their quarters to rest up from their trip to California. Ryann and I retreated to my room.
She was beautiful with her long hair pulled up, exposing her pretty neck, and soft tendrils falling down around her face. The Elven gown she wore complimented her figure, teasing me with its nearly sheer layers.
I drew her into my arms, which was where I wanted her all the time. Glancing over at my bed across the room I had to laugh at myself. Well, that was actually where I wanted her, but we were getting to that. If I could blink and skip ahead to our wedding day, I’d do it in a heartbeat.
I’d move the date up if I thought I could get away with it, but tradition was everything to my people, and how could I violate the mourning requirements for my own father? Mother would never forgive me. I’d have to be patient. Somehow.
Pulling the pins from her hair, I sifted my fingers through the silky length of it. “You were great today—very regal.”
“I don’t like it.” Her beautiful eyes were troubled.
Unable to resist, I kissed her softly then pulled back. “What don’t you like? Being a monarch? Join the club. Or if it’s my room you don’t like, you can change it any way you want once we’re married. Or we’ll move into your suite. Or select another one in the royal residence. We have about… oh… fifty to choose from.”
She gave a giggle and a light slap to my arm. “No. You know what I mean. The fact that she showed up here with someone else. And she was nervous.”
“They’re betrothed, Ryann. You know the significance of that—you know what it feels like to be apart. This ambassadorship could be a long-term thing. According to Nox, she had no choice about accepting it. The least I can do is let her be with her fiancé. She was probably nervous because she thought I’d turn him away. What else could I do?”
I started kissing her again, but she resisted, and finally I ordered my libido to take five so I could hear her out.
“Something feels weird to me,” she said. “He didn’t seem like a man in love.”
Now she had my attention. The muscles in my neck pulled tight. Had he said something to her mind-to-mind? Come on to her? If so, he’d be out on his pretty-boy ass within the half hour—no matter who his daddy was.
“What do you mean? Did he say something to you?”
“No, it’s… it’s nothing. I just think—he enjoys female attention.”
I let out a long breath. “Don’t we all? Only I want the attention of just one female.” Smiling, I pulled her close again and dropped another kiss on her lips. “You should be happy she’s betrothed. Now you don’t have to worry about her trying to seduce me like you were always accusing Vancia of doing.”
Of course I’d known all along that Vancia didn’t desire me. Her affections were reserved for one guy and one guy only—Nox. We’d only agreed to the betrothal to give her cover for her investigation of Davis’s scheme. She’d never have worked her way back into his good graces otherwise. Vancia and I had never kissed, never even held hands except for when we were forced to do so to support our story. Ryann was the only girl I’d ever kissed—the only girl I ever would kiss—for eternity.
She blushed, my playful accusation hitting its mark. “All right, all right, you don’t need to remind me of my pathetic insecurity. And you’re right. Ava probably just wants some company here in Light Elf Land. As far as she knows, you’re the only one here who even speaks aloud. Maybe she and I wil
l become friends.”
“That’s my girl.” Now I kissed her more deeply, angling her delicate face to give me better access.
The sweet taste of her mouth made me ravenous, and the feel of her softness under my hands drove me crazy. Ryann thought she was the one having difficulty waiting. I might not be able to rule my kingdom if I didn’t get some relief soon—I’d be a flaming mass of unsated lust by the time our wedding night finally arrived.
As if sensing my weakness, Ryann ran her hands over my abdomen hungrily. Her lips touched the exposed skin at the v of my shirt’s neckline. “Mmmm. You feel so good. Are you sure you won’t change your mind?”
Was I sure? Not at the moment. I wasn’t sure of anything beyond how much I wanted her. As she kissed my neck and inched her playful fingers lower, I groaned, praying for will power. It felt like I’d been fighting my desire for Ryann nearly all my life, and I didn’t have much strength left. We were so close to the wedding… it wouldn’t be so bad, would it? My eyes drifted to the bed again.
And then I thought of my father. Of how he’d been alive and angrily telling me to get my act together one minute, and then less than an hour later, he was gone forever, his immortal life snatched away by a crafty and deceitful adversary.
I was in a position of power, but I was also vulnerable. And selfish. There was no way I could spend my life apart from Ryann—not while she lived—but until the moment we were bonded I could rein in my selfishness enough to protect her from the eternal, irreversible consequences should something happen to me.
Once we were bonded, that was it. We’d both be in it forever. But until then, I’d be strong and consider her best interests—not my own body’s demands.
My fingers wrapped around her tiny wrists, halting the progress of her ardent exploration. “Okay. I think that’s enough torture for now.”
Instead of a pout or reluctant cooperation, her expression held a shade of desperation when she turned her face up to me. “Let’s not wait anymore, Lad. I mean it. I’m afraid.”
