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We sat in silence while Merlon worked, and I mulled over the idea of an elf opposed to wraithwalking. Sometime later, Marilla stirred. Her fingers tightened in mine. She murmured something slurred and unintelligible before settling back into stillness, but this time, she appeared to be sleeping. Her coloring had already improved.
Merlon motioned at me. His motions were quick but lacked the earlier irritation.
“He is asking if you would like healing too,” Emrys translated.
Instant aversion made me recoil slightly, bumping into Emrys’ solid arm at my back. “No, thank you.” I released Marilla’s hand and attempted to retreat further into Emrys’ protective presence.
Merlon’s strange eyes, similar to Emrys’ yet so different, assessed me with far too much clarity. He motioned again, sympathy softening his harsh features.
“He says he can heal you when you are ready.”
Then, Merlon rose. He directed his signs at Emrys, who graciously translated. “Marilla has suffered a brain malady that caused significant damage. Merlon repaired what he could, but there is only so much he can do at this stage. She needs rest and quiet in familiar surroundings with her family nearby.”
“None of which she is going to get thanks to the curse,” I pointed out.
The healer made a few more gestures and then left the way he had come.
I reclaimed Marilla’s hand. Her skin was now warm, and her fingers were no longer completely limp against mine. “She is dying, isn’t she?”
Emrys’ hand settled on my shoulder, thumb rubbing soothingly. “She is. Merlon estimates anywhere from a month to a year, less if she doesn’t get rest.”
“Her family needs her.” For the second time that night, pressure built up behind my eyes. “If only there were a way to break this curse, she could go home and rest in comfort.”
“I fear that is a futile hope.” Emrys settled next to me, grief darkening his features.
An idea manifested in my head. It was brilliant, crazy, and possibly foolish, but it would solve so many things. But it would be an action. Marilla could spend the rest of her life with her family in peace. I wouldn’t have to marry Lord LaRue, and the curse would be broken. “Marry me.”
Emrys stilled, almost as though he were holding his breath. He stood with his face in shadows so that I couldn’t judge his reaction to my outburst. “Are you in earnest?”
“Yes.” I took a slow, deep breath. “Marilla can spend the rest of her days in comfort, perhaps even lengthening the time she still has remaining. The princesses would be free to return to their lives, and you would be free to find your sister.”
“And you?” He had lifted his head slightly so he could watch my face, but his features were still in shadow.
“I would be making a choice, forcing my brother to keep his word despite himself.”
“No LaRue?”
I laughed softly. “No LaRue.” The relief was acute.
“I am not sure how I feel about being only a slightly better replacement for such a man.”
“You aren’t a replacement,” I protested. “You are exactly what I hoped for. When my brother proposed the plan for me to marry and give him an heir, I had hoped to find someone I could tolerate.” I impulsively reached across and touched the back of his hand. “You are far superior to that.” His large hand turned over and he closed his fingers around mine, sending a hopeful thrill through me. Would he accept my proposal? Me?
“Because you tolerate me?” A slight smile pulled at what I could see of his mouth.
“Better than that. You are my friend.”
He lifted his head, letting the light fall on his face. His eyes shone blue with an intensity I hadn’t seen before. “I am much more than that.” With his free hand, he reached across and stroked my cheek. “I accept.”
~~~~~
Emrys
“How much do you know about elven wedding traditions?” I asked, considering it best to get the initial awkwardness of expectations out of the way.
Kate scanned my face. “Nothing. Do you know much about human traditions?”
“I have studied many human cultures.”
