I could only listen and strive not to gape.This was the second time I was hearing of gargoyles, and they would be coming here?Just how many types of monsters were out there that I knew nothing about?
“They’ve also agreed to adhere to the ancient tradition of hostage exchange,” Mesia went on.“Since officially you are the highest-ranking elf in the Kingdom after me, you will serve as one of the hostages on the surface during the negotiations.Katsia was supposed to be the second one, but now–”
“Why two hostages?Isn’t my life in their hands enough proof that you won’t stab their King in the back?”
“Because, dear brother, the tailed monarch will bring a plus-one to the negotiations.”The Queen’s expression turned smug, as though she had checkmated Karim.“He wants to show off his newly found mate.A human.You’ll have to bring yours.”
Karim clenched his jaw.
“Your poor choice today may work in our favor.As far as the gargoyles are concerned, that is.”The Queen directed an eerie smile my way.“One human enters the Kingdom, one human exits it.The gargoyles will be more than pleased with their second hostage.”
Hoo boy.Couldn’t I get just five minutes to rejoice over the fact neither me nor my new friends were getting executed?But no, I was being thrown immediately in yet another life-threatening situation.
Karim’s piercing look at the Queen showed his opinion on our latest predicament.Well, at least we’d be hostages on the surface together.
“Make sure your human is dressed properly and can accompany you by sundown.”
Whoa.The Queen upgraded me fromthehuman toyourhuman–I was growing on her already.Like a weed.
“Join me in the Great Cavern shortly to discuss the details.You wanted us to accept the gargoyles’ offer for alliance talks–now you will come up with my speech for the negotiations tonight.”
Karim’s lips were pressed into a hard line but he nodded.He’d won the fight for my life and Deidre’s, but his half-sister had scored a victory nonetheless.
With a final assessing look my way, the Queen left.
Phew.Alone again at last.
Karim came to kneel in front of me by the bed.“Jasmine, do not worry.”He didn’t touch me, but his soft tone and expression as he looked up at me, melted my heart just the same.“I do not have time to explain anything now, but please know all will be fine.”
I let out a shaky breath and nodded.
“I will send for Deidre.She will get you ready for tonight.”
“But what are we preparing for?”
“We’ll spend some time on the surface in the company of gargoyle warriors.Their kind is protective of humans.You have nothing to fear.”
He paused for a second there, and I thought I knew why.I had nothing to fear… as long as the Queen didn’t turn on the Gargoyle King during the negotiations.
Karim being a hostage might make her think twice about taking such backstabbing actions.But wouldn’t this be the perfect opportunity for her to eliminate her half-brother without breaking the no-siblicide law?
No, I had to believe she wasn’t an evil person.She’d sworn to their father to rule jointly with Karim, and was doing so in secret, meaning her subjects would not judge her if she broke her oath.But she didn’t.She actually wanted Karim to ascend to the throne after her.She even spoke the language of his mother with him.Besides, I had the feeling she cared for him, in her own way.
Then again, I was an expert in plants, not humans and least of all elves.
“Jasmine.”Karim’s lyrical voice took me out of my own head.“Tell Deidre she has nothing to fear either.But she and I will have a serious word.”
“O-kay…”
“And one more thing.”He grew even more serious.“What you just overheard stays in this mosschamber.No one in the Kingdom but Tisvali and Deidre knows about me ruling alongside Mesia.I trust no one else with this secret.”
“You trustme?”
He rose to his feet and cupped my cheeks, fingers sliding in my hair as his eyes regarded me with warmth.Then his lips caught mine in a quick but deep kiss.
I panted, greedy for his taste, but the kiss was over as unexpectedly as he’d started it.
“We will continue where we left off later tonight, temptress,” he promised over my lips.Then he pulled away abruptly, as if one moment more of touching me would make it impossible for him to stop.
