“No.”
“We have freed dozens of slaves over the years through trades,” I say.
She appears genuinely amused. “Oh? And have any of them survived?”
I purse my lips. “The humans believe that the elves take them in.”
A few of the women listening to us now laugh.
“And you believed them?” one says.
I take a deep breath.
“When I first heard that you had no humans, I thought perhaps they had died. But I don’t think so—maybe not in yourenclave, or in King Arion’s city, but humans are stronger than they look. If they didn’t find some other elvish town to spend their days, they surely would have made a place for themselves.” Saying the words feels good, even if Ayla curls her lip at Arion’s name.
I don’t fault her.
“Have it your way then,” Ayla says at last. “We won’t…disposeof the contact. We’ll let him free.”
Ulla nods approvingly. “I’ll make a pack for the man to take. We don’t need so much, especially since we will return to Enduvida soon.”
Ayla shakes her head and walks away, cursing ourbleeding troll hearts, but no one says anything else.
I feel satisfied like a small weight is lifted off my chest. Now, we simply wait for Taenya to return.
Then I’ll be one step closer to tearing Rholker to shreds.
Chapter 17
Willemite
ESTELA
The morning of the mid-winter feast is cold enough to freeze my toes off. I know because I am currently being led through the snow by two giant warriors. Even with my boots, my feet are numb. It feels like it takes an eternity to make it past the lumber yards and slave pens and reach Rholker’s rooms.
He won’t be there yet.
I remind myself over and over and pat the large pocket in my underskirt that houses the small human skin-bound book, Rholker’s writings, and my jewels.
The preparations for this coronation have been arduous, so much so that Rholker is still stomping around, ensuring every last detail is perfect.
I haven’t seen his scarred face and crooked nose since the library.
In fact, no one has visited me—not even Melisa. The lack of her presence has caused an ache in my sides. She helped me forget the gaping hole in my chest for a few hours, like Arlet once did.
As I walk, something stirs in my chest that sends a jolt of adrenaline coursing through my body. Pressing my hand to my chest, the familiar song leaks from the stone and out through my fingers, making my eyes burn.
Teo?
I wince in anticipation of pain that never actually comes. It’s then that my mating melody picks up again.
The air shifts as I gasp, and I can practically smell my mate approach in the distance. I thought that humans wouldn’t have such a strong, animalistic pull to their mates, but the reaction of my instincts says otherwise.
I breathe for a few moments, but the sensation doesn’t intensify.
He’s still far away.
I need to leave before Rholker and his armies can hurt him.
