Page 52 of Protected By the Elf Prince

But he was very much alive.

The realization steadied me enough to think.

“My son,” Father said quietly. “I am coming to assist.”

Relief hit hard enough to nearly stagger me.

The king of the elves did not make promises lightly, so if Father said he was coming, he would.

The call ended immediately afterward without a goodbye.

A sharp crack split the air moments later, and then power surged through the office floor.

The portal that tore open before me dwarfed the one I had created earlier. Silver light spilled across the darkish room.

And through it stepped my father.

King Theradiel was tall, broad, and had power rolling from him so heavily, the air itself seemed to bend.

His silver hair fell past his shoulders with a few gold strands that were a telltale sign of his age.

Armored royal guards followed immediately behind him.

Then two familiar figures.

My brothers.

Relief struck so suddenly, it almost hurt.

“Sashiel. Remiel.”

Sashiel was the first to cross the distance, and unlike me, this brother rarely stood still. Even now, energy practically radiated from him. His long, dark hair had been tied back hastily.

He immediately pulled me into a hug, only to then push me back by his hands on my shoulders and grin. “You found your mate.”

I nodded. “I did.”

His gaze softened. “And now we will get him back.”

My throat tightened unexpectedly, but before I could respond, Remiel stepped forward and clasped my shoulder firmly. My eldest brother was always steady and calm.

“You felt the link?” he asked.

“Yes. Slightly.”

“Then he lives.” The certainty in his voice matched Father’s.

And somehow, hearing it twice made it easier to believe.

Remiel squeezed once. “We are here to help.”

I nodded sharply. If I tried to speak, I wasn’t entirely certain my voice would cooperate.

Sashiel stepped closer. “I need his scent.”

My brother had the ability to shift into any animal of his choice, and I already knew his wolf possessed the strongest tracking skill.

I stepped forward.