Page 83 of The Nymph King

The whispers multiplied.

Vathis.

The High Sentinel.

Mated.

Queen.

Then someone lifted a drink.

Another followed. Smiles appeared, and glasses clinked. A handful of nobles applauded again, this time in response to her, not just Tanyl’s destruction.

Imani let them with a short nod.

She understood what they saw… two powerful rulers, two armies, two Norn elves joined beneath one Crown of Life. To the court, the arrangement promised continuity after a night of violent upheaval. The conclusion made her throat constrict.

She pressed her fingers to the skin for a few seconds, wishing for one moment she could just simply be happy.

Ellisar turned toward her and gently cupped her cheek before taking her hand. “As she has said, we move forward as one,” he announced. His attention shifted to the watching court. “Vathis stands with its queen.”

Heart racing, Imani suppressed the need to lean into his touch.

He let go of her hand and eased back into his seat beside her, the transition smooth as his attention drifted back to the court… and what lay beyond.

When Imani glanced at the floor in front of the dais, all traces of Tanyl had been cleaned away, and she absently rubbed her chest where his essence remained.

Ellisar cleared his throat, then bent his head to her, his nose brushing her hair. “You did what you had to do,” he whispered, as if reading her thoughts. “Crowns mean little if the realm’s edges are bleeding, and Tanyl governed from the center, reinforcing what was stable and neglecting what was crumbling until it all fell apart.” His eyes darted briefly to the distant parts of the hall, as if he could see beyond it. “And while we’ve stopped them for now, the Lochheim clans are still desperate and intent on Essenheim. We have work to do.”

Imani sat back against the throne, needing to ease the tension in her shoulders. “Kiran is planning an attack as well. I used a Divination spell and heard him planning it with his First Witch,” she said, surprising herself with the honesty. “He’s gathering forces and marching on Essenheim. Soon.”

The High Sentinel’s brow furrowed. He leaned closer, his mouth brushing the shell of her ear. “And you trust this spell?”

“I trust what I know about Kiran,” she said under her breath, although the words came out more intimate than dark.

Ellisar showed no outward surprise, but his posture stiffened slightly. She wondered if he had already considered Kiran not only as a threat to the realm but also to their recent achievement… their mating.

“Then this situation has gone beyond the Essenheim territories.” He paused, then added, “We could be embroiled in a two-front war if we aren’t careful.”

Imani resisted the urge to fidget under his stare. “And here I thought you’d be pleased,” she muttered. “You have your alliance, another Drasil, and soon enough a queen for a mate. That is quite a lot of power for one evening.”

Ellisar shook his head. “You think that is what I want?”

She angled slightly toward him. “Isn’t it?”

“No.”

She scoffed, unable to believe him despite his quick denial.

Resting his forearms against his thighs, Ellisar lowered his voice while the court continued dancing and chatting around them. “I already have power, Imani. I have had it for years. I have armies that answer when I call, a council that listens when I speak, an estate large enough to house people I rarely see, and more responsibility than I know what to do with some days.” A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. “I am not lying awake wishing someone would give me another title.”

A small laugh tore from her. “You may be the first male elf I’ve ever met who could say that convincingly.”

“I assure you, another title would only mean another meeting.”

She gave him a wary look, caught off guard by its dryness.

Sitting up again, Ellisar watched the dancers instead of the rulers clustered around them. A glint shone in his eyes that hadn’t been there moments before. “What I want is considerably less impressive.”