AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When she reached the front and he clasped her fingers, they were warm and somewhat sweaty. Yes, she was nervous. He did not know how to reassure her, especially with so many people watching.
As the ceremony began, he divided his attention between listening for his cue, scanning the crowd for trouble, and glancing at her so that she did not feel ignored by her groom at her own wedding.
His chest knotted painfully tight. So many eyes on him. It took all his effort to breathe and keep his magic buried deep.
And Princess Elspeth was staring at him. His skin prickled with the intense focus of her eyes. Was something wrong? Well, more wrong than marrying a stranger?
Perhaps she had noticed his scars. Not many were visible right now, except for the one on his cheek and, if she looked close enough, the faint lines on his neck above the collar of his tunic. Maybe she was as disgusted by them as most elves were.
He pressed his mouth tight against a scowl, and she looked away. Had she noticed his momentary lapse in discipline? He should not allow so much unbridled expression in front of such a large crowd.
When the time came, he managed to remember the vows he had memorized. He slid the ring on her finger when prompted, thankful it appeared to fit well enough. Finally, the human officiant declared them married, and the ceremony was over. No ambush. No massacre caused by his magic. No blood pooling in the aisle and soaking the white of Princess Elspeth’s dress.
It was a real wedding. And he was really married.
ChapterFive
As soon as the ceremony finished, Farrendel released Princess Elspeth’s hands, resisting the urge to rub his palms on his tunic. Such an intimate gesture to perform in front of strangers. Humans were given to such displays of emotion.
As Princess Elspeth’s family stepped toward her, Farrendel eased away until he reached the corner. All he wanted to do was bolt out of there. Too many people. Too many potential enemies.
He did not hide well enough. King Averett and Prince Julian tromped up to him, boxing him in.
King Averett crossed his arms. “Tonight, you are going to leave with my sister. We’re trusting you that she will come to no harm. Not from you. Not from anyone.”
“And if she gets hurt, we will hurt you.” Prince Julien also crossed his arms, flexing muscles in his shoulders and biceps. He was as tall as Farrendel, but far bulkier.
Still, neither of them posed that much of a threat to him. Not with his magic.
But he took the warning to heart. Even if King Averett was willing to sacrifice his sister to a marriage alliance to forge peace, he cared for her. He would not take it kindly if something happened to her.
Farrendel’s stomach clenched again. If Princess Elspeth was hurt, her brothers would not be happy. This entire peace treaty rested on how well Farrendel took care of this human princess.
He would do his best, but he barely functioned on the days after a battle. How would he manage to keep another person well and happy and everything he was not?
But he nodded. What else could he do? They had a point. He was married to her now. It was a little late to have second thoughts.
That seemed to satisfy them. Enough that they did not hassle him again through the brief supper. Nor did Farrendel spot any other signs of trouble. Perhaps the humans were going to let him, the other elves, and his new wife walk out of here without incident.
When they finished eating, Farrendel stood to the side as Princess Elspeth said farewell to her family, including the older red-haired woman, one last time. They were even doing that human hugging thing. In public. With everybody watching.
Princess Elspeth reached down to pick up a sack set in the corner, but Prince Julien hefted it, marched over to Farrendel, and shoved it at him. “You’re her husband now. Be a gentleman and carry Essie’s things.”
For a moment, all Farrendel could do was stare. Surely this was not all of her things. She was a princess. She would not travel with her personal effects stuffed into a sack.
Prince Julien shoved it at him again, and Farrendel quickly took it. It was heavier than it looked. What was in here?
No matter. Time to leave. Finally. He held his arm out to Princess Elspeth. Instead of resting her hand on his arm, she wrapped her hand around his elbow. He stared at her hand, half-hoping she would move it to his forearm as an elf would if he stared at it long enough.
She did not. And it would take too many words to explain.
Straightening his shoulders, he strode after Weylind, trying not to trip as Princess Elspeth’s massive skirt kept bumping into him. He had to pause at the door as she wedged her skirt through. If it was such a cumbersome thing, why did she wear it?
Human fashions were strange and impractical. Hopefully she did not intend to wear such dresses in Estyra. A dress like that would be incompatible with the way the bridges and pathways were designed.
But…he sneaked a glance at the princess at his side as they navigated down the hill toward the wharf. If she wished to cling to the fashions of her homeland, he would not tell her otherwise. Leaving everything she had ever known must be hard enough on her as it was. He would not force her to give up her manner of dress, her customs, or change herself.
This was an arranged marriage. In the end, they might discover they could barely tolerate each other and would hold each other at a distance.
