All too soon, it will be Arisanna and Cerian’s turn.
And then there really will be no going back.
Assoonasthey’realone, Princess Elowyn turns to Rominy. “We seem to have survived.”
He chuckles nervously. “Yes.”
At least his voice sounds fairly normal.
“Do you want me to help your heart slow?”
“Have you really been dealing with my nerves all your life?”
It’s an embarrassing thought.
She shrugs. “I’m used to it. Breathe with me.” Facing him, she repeats the breathing pattern she led him in this morning, and soon his heart rate returns to some semblance of normal.
“Thank you, Elowyn.”
She smiles up at him and nods. “Of course. I believe I promised to take care of you for the rest of our lives. This is part of that.”
His panic mounts again at her words, and she tilts her head knowingly as compassion fills her gray eyes. “Rominy.”
“Sorry. I’m sorry.”
She opens her mouth to respond, but before she can speak, the door bursts open to reveal Mother, followed swiftly by Father. King Lorial enters more sedately with his weakened queen on his arm.
Then the door closes again. Not even Prince Tharios is present. This heartbinding really is a private thing, isn’t it?
“A beautiful ceremony,” Mother announces.
“Yes,” Queen Nestraya says in a soft voice, though her eyes betray a slight amusement that draws out Rominy’s smile.
“Are you ready, young ones?” King Lorial asks.
Elowyn glances Rominy’s way. “I am. I think. I hope.”
That was less than reassuring. The elves didn’t really explain what the heartbinding would entail. Just that it might be intense.
“I...” Rominy glances around. “Yes. I’m ready.”
“We will begin, then.” Queen Nestraya gestures to the rug. “Please, sit.”
“On the floor?” Mother asks.
“The children. You may find a chair if you’d like,” Queen Nestraya says. “I don’t want them to fall.”
Fall? What did Rominy just agree to do?
Mother and Father look troubled, but they draw up wooden chairs from the nearby table as Rominy lowershimself to the floor facing Elowyn. The elf queen and king join them to form something of a circle.
“Are you ready, my love?” Queen Nestraya looks into her husband’s eyes, and Rominy stares at his hands as she continues. “This may strain our own heartbinding.”
Rominy looks up in surprise. Elowyn’s parents are heartbound? Not just...regular bound? They said heartbindings were rare—to save lives—didn’t they?
“I am ready.” King Lorial looks from Elowyn to Rominy. “Place your palms together.”
Elowyn holds out her hands expectantly. Resisting the urge to wipe his sweaty palms on his formal trousers first, Rominy presses his hands to hers. Elowyn threads her fingers between his, and his already-racing heart accelerates even more.
