“Says the man who’s marrying his daughter off to a stranger,” she mutters under her breath as she stomps off.
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.
The moment she’s gone, her brother, Aldric, chuckles and claps a hand on my shoulder. “Are you sure you know what you’re in for?”
A smile crests my lips. “Absolutely.”
Edric elbows his son. “Do not speak of your sister that way.” He looks at me. “I know we agreed to this plan, but I don’t want her to be ruled by a strong hand. Do you understand me?”
I straighten, meeting his gaze evenly. “I would never do that.”
Edric studies me carefully.
“Dark Elves cherish their mates. I would sooner end my own life than ever harm her. I had planned to tell her who I am when we reached the edge of the city, but now… perhaps it might be best to wait until we’re closer to my home. Maybe traveling as a soldier’s wife, instead of a queen, will give her some perspective—a gentle lesson in humility. It’s important for a ruler to understand how others live.”
Edric nods. “I think you may be right.”
“Humility?” Aldric barks a laugh. “Good luck.” Her brother smirks, lowering his voice. “By the way, she asked me to rescue her when you reach the edge of the city.”
“Is that so?”
Apparently, human hearing is not nearly as sharp as an Elf’s. I heard her whispered plea, and I already knew he wouldn’t agree to her scheme. It wouldn’t work anyway. Bargains made with Goblins are nearly impossible to break. Still, I appreciate his honesty.
Aldric claps a hand on my shoulder. “When she realizes I’m not there, she’s going to be really upset. Put in a good word for me later, will you?” He winks. “Family visits are going to be rather awkward if she doesn’t forgive me.”
I nod just as Vivienne returns, dressed in her travel gear. I smile at my lovely, scowling bride. “Are you ready to leave, me'lira?”
She huffs, her lips pressing into a thin, furious line. Which I take to mean yes.
Despite her anger, she hugs her father and brother once more, whispering in Aldric’s ear. “Have my trunks sent to the summer home.”
When she turns back to me, I wrap my hands around her waist, to help her into the saddle. Holding her like this, the desire to pull her closer is difficult to ignore, but I force myself to lift her onto Vaelen’s back and relinquish my hold.
I swing up behind her, and when she shifts forward, I tighten my grip, tugging her against me.
She stiffens. “I can sit perfectly upright.”
I lean close, my lips near her ear. “I’m not risking you tumbling off Vaelen’s back.”
A blush stains her cheeks as she shivers against me. My nostrils flare as her delicate scent deepens into something rich and heady. Gods above, I relish the way she already responds to me.
My grip tightens around her waist before I can stop it. She fits there too easily. As though she was made to be in my arms. Notes of jasmine and vanilla cling to her skin, soft and warm, and I inhale slowly, drawing it deep into my lungs, committing it to memory.
The scent of my mate.
A soft huff escapes her, but she doesn’t argue, nor does she tell me not to call her the word for ‘beloved.’ She merely glares back at me, frustration radiating off her in waves as we bid farewell to her father and brother and head toward the city gates.
As we draw closer to the edge of town, she grows quiet.
She’s looking for her brother.
I force my expression to remain neutral, so as to appear unaware as she searches the crowd, trying to be discreet, but doing an awful job of it.
She still thinks she’s going to somehow escape the Goblin bargain, but it’s not that simple.
As we pass through the gates, her head whips side to side, subtlety abandoned entirely.
I lean in. “Is something wrong, my dear wife?”
