“Hell of a defender you’ve found there, Sire.” Tova approached them more respectfully. She inclined her head to Tanis. “I’m Princess Tova of the Drakalf.”
Tanis’s eyes widened. “You lead the cannibal elves?”
Dash cringed at Tanis’s bold question.
Thankfully, Tova wasn’t insulted. Again, she laughed. “We only eat the bad ones. And then, only to make a point. It tends to keep everyone else on their toes. You should try it sometime.They tell me dragon meat is quite healthy, and elfin meat is low in calories and good for your heart.”
Marthen burst out laughing. “I should write down recipes for an exchange.”
Dash shook his head. “Please don’t encourage this.”
Tanis looked at them and then to Dash. “They weren’t trying to kill you?”
“To be honest, I’m not real sure what was going on when you arrived.”
Baldur rubbed his thumb over his bottom lip. “I wanted to kill you, Majesty. Make no mistake about that. When word reached me yesterday that you’d left your lands, and someone was offering to pay handsomely for your head... I considered sending my best after you to collect that bounty.”
Tova smirked. “Until I reminded our king why he still sits on his high and mighty throne unchallenged because of your reign.”
Baldur ignored her. “You don’t play favorites, Sire. You could have demanded my son’s life for his actions, and you didn’t. You could have even demanded my own head when I refused to hand him over to you for punishment. Another king might have used my heir’s actions as an excuse to remove my lineage from power. While I’m still angry about what you did to the Mother Tree, you made a valid point with no bloodshed.” He looked at the other two leaders. “We’ve enjoyed these years of peace and have prospered greatly. Alarium has no desire to return to chaos.”
Hinrik nodded in agreement. “As the princess said, we’re here to uphold our oaths. Tell us what you need, and we’ll provide it.”
Dash was stunned. Honestly, he’d expected them to side against him.
Tanis smiled.
Tova held her free hand up and waved. Two elves came forward from the army surrounding them. It wasn’t until theywere close, that Dash saw they looked similar enough to be siblings.
One male. One female. Both were dressed in red Drakalf armor.
Tova smiled proudly. “Me son and daughter. Tora and Viggo. Two of me finest warriors. It’s me honor to offer them to be your personal guard until you’re safely back on your throne in Licordia.”
“Tora and Viggo,” he repeated. Thunder and lightning. He had to bite his tongue to keep from commenting on the naming choice.
Making an uncomfortable face, Hinrik scratched at his ear. “They are aptly named, Sire.”
“How so?”
“Viggo moves silently and fast. By the time he’s struck, his target’s dead. Tora... when you hear her battle cry, your head’s already severed.”
“Then I’d be honored to have their protection. Thank you, Tova.”
She inclined her head to him.
Tanis arched a brow. “We’re not having to fight anyone?”
“Apparently not,” he whispered to her. “A new experience for me, too.”
She sheathed her sword. “I could have slept longer? What do you elves have against sleep?”
Tova laughed. “Come. Me fortress isn’t far. Let’s get some food. A bed for the princess and we can discuss how best to deal with this situation.”
As the others went to their horses, Dash returned to unicorn form and manifested a saddle on his back for Tanis. He thought nothing of it until she pulled herself up and the others took notice.
Utter silence filled the air.
Shit.
