Page 69 of Protected By the Elf Prince

The king seemed to notice. “You make my son happy.”

The simple statement stole every response from my brain and made heat crawl up my neck.

Monkey made a suspicious choking noise beside me, but I ignored him.

The king continued. “We have not seen him like this before.”

My chest tightened. “What do you mean?”

A softer expression crossed the king’s face. “Hopeful.”

The word settled into my veins. It reminded me of every time Dashiel looked at me with that very hope they spoke of burning in his gaze, and I saw it every time I chose to have him around or reached for him first.

The realization hit harder than I expected.

Sashiel folded his arms. “Honestly, it is good we found you.”

“How did you?” I asked.

The king told me of the phone call he received from his frantic son and how they came to help him. After he’d shared the story, he paused for a moment before adding, “We hope you accept the bond.” The words were gentle—careful, even, and held no pressure or demand. He was just being honest. “We would be honored to welcome you into our family.”

Emotion lodged unexpectedly in my throat. Nobody had ever said something like that to me before. Not even my in-laws had been this welcoming.

Sashiel nodded. “And we would very much enjoy showing you our kingdom.”

Kingdom.

I still couldn’t wrap my head around that part, but before I could answer, movement appeared inside the warehouse.

Remiel did something magical to the ice and made it disappear instantly.

The lingering flames parted, making way for someone.

For my someone.

Dashiel stepped through them, and the world immediately narrowed.

The only thing that remained was Dashiel stalking my way in all his elf glory. His pointy ears were easily seen from the way the wind blew his black hair back.

Fire curled lazily around his arms before fading away.

He looked like something out of a story. Powerful and beautiful.

And the moment his eyes found mine, all that terrifying power softened.

My chest squeezed.

Dashiel walked straight toward us with a purposeful stride, and I caught the king smiling slightly as he informed Dashiel, “We have completed introductions.”

Dashiel kept his gaze on me as he stopped so close, I could feel the lingering warmth radiating from his skin. “I am glad you have,” he replied to his father but still stared down at me.

His family laughed.

“Will you come with me?” he asked.

I blinked. “Where?”

“My cottage.”