Page 6 of Elves and Espresso

As I avoided looking behind the counter, I knew then why I kept silent. If the Realm Guard freed me from my engagement, it would open me up to another binding. While the human was dull and unexciting, it was a better alternative than going with the sable before me. A much better alternative. And since my father was not doing his due diligence as my protector, I had to do my best to protect myself.

“I do apologize,” Father started, “but my daughter was only just bound to someone. He was here a moment ago, but he must have stepped out. There was a good deal of excitement, you know.”

Nilsorn’s eyes whipped over to my father faster than I’d seen a race move. Was he suspicious of Aleixo? Father may have just given him away. “Bound, you say?” he cooed, seeming to have completely forgotten about the individual he was after.

His voice dropped lower, and I shivered, pulling the sleeves of my dress lower to hide the goosebumps on my arms. “I’m sure something else could be arranged…to make it more worth your while, Orisola. The realms need a queen, do they not?”

Father’s mouth dropped open as the words hit him. “My…my Java? A queen?”

“Father,” I cut in, “I have only recently been bound, you said so yourself. You can’t mean to—”

“Hush, Java, listen to the Realm Guard.”

Was he truly going to bind me to yet another prospect he knew nothing about? Wait…no, he knew plenty. This was the most feared man in existence. There were realms that didn’t know about him, and I envied those for not knowing who their master was.

Our master, I corrected my thoughts.

“Father, I would be more than happy to abide by your wishes.” My mind was going a mile a minute as I thought through what I could do. I had to play my cards right if I was going to win this hand. I had to get a moment to myself to clear this flurry that was coming over me.

A smile lit Father’s face as he turned to me, and Nilsorn’s eyes glazed over me. “Does the idea of binding to me appeal to you, then? I’m not surprised. It would be a beneficial union for you.”

I fought the urge to release my breakfast right then and there, swallowed my fear, and gave him my brightest smile. “I would be honoured. However, I have but one request.”

“Name it, elf, and it will be yours.”

Fluttering my lashes—and cursing myself while doing so—I took a step closer, feeling his darkness cover me like a fire’s choking smoke. “My previous binding will need to be broken, which is of no issue with your magic, dear Realm Guard, but I should like to spend one night at home before we leave, if you would please grant me that gift.”

“You should like to remain under your father’s care for one more night before you willingly come with me?”

“Yes.” For a minute, I thought he’d see through my request, but he seemed pleased with my words. “To present my best self on the morrow.”

“I will grant you this. I will return for you at noon. Your current binding will be broken, and following a simple ceremony, you will come with me.”

“Wait,” I rushed. “Won’t we wish for the ceremony to take place in the capital of our realm? What of a gown? Jewels? The excitement?”

“I am not a man of such things. As my queen, you will enjoy those luxuries, but a grand ceremony is not in my nature.”

“Of course.” I bowed my head. “Whatever you wish, Realm Guard.”

“You will call me Nilsorn.”

Father was looking between us, scarcely able to get a word in. I’m sure he was thrilled at the prospect that, while he thought his two other daughters had married the best, his remaining daughter was now to be the Realm Queen. Meanwhile, I was more focused on why the Realm Guard suddenly wanted to make an elf his queen.

“Nilsorn,” I attempted his name, feeling terribly uncomfortable.

“And tomorrow,” he continued, “you will be mine.”

Chapter Six

It took too much convincing for Father to hold off on celebrating until the next day. He’d called my two sisters to come, despite my saying it wouldn’t go over well with Nilsorn. They would arrive in the morning and help prepare me for the day.

I bid Father goodnight and headed for my room, waiting to hear the click of his door closing before I flew around in a frenzy. I had little time to gather my things and find suitable clothing for what I had planned.

Aleixo was still in the shop below, as Father had offered to put him up for the night so we could break the binding.

“He can’t be the human the Realm Guard is seeking, Java,” he’d insisted. “He’s got too much gumption to be from a foreign land.”

My father was a strange man and was convinced he could read a person in an instant, though no one had the heart to tell him how truly terrible he was at it. His judge of character had landed him in more trouble than I could count on both hands. Dearest, darling Father.