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Moments later, Weylind returned, carrying pillows and blankets. He set the mound on the bench next to Farrendel.
“Linshi.” Farrendel sat up and reached for the blankets. Weylind had brought two blankets and two pillows, probably knowing Farrendel would give up his to Princess Elspeth if Weylind brought only one set.
“Rest well.” Weylind nodded and left.
Farrendel spread a blanket over the princess without touching her, then tucked the pillow next to her head. Perhaps she would shift enough to grab it in her sleep.
He made a mental note to wake before she did and reclaim the blanket and pillow in the morning. He had no wish to have her wake in a state of panic when she realized items were there that had not been there when she had fallen asleep.
Then, he curled on the bench across from her, though it took hours for him to drift into a light sleep. He did not dare sleep too deeply. The last thing he wanted to do was suffer a nightmare. That would surely scare her and undo all his efforts to guard her while she slept.
ChapterSix
Farrendel’s stomach sank as he strolled through Estyra with Princess Elspeth on his arm, her hand on his forearm in the proper elven custom this time. How was his family going to react to this?
Princess Elspeth gazed about with wide eyes, smiling. At least she did not appear to find her new home unpleasant. He was not sure why it was so important to him that she like it here. As Weylind was forever reminding him, Farrendel could not hang too many hopes on this marriage. He should not get attached.
As the path turned and the forest opened in front of them to the grassy stretch surrounding Ellonahshinel, Princess Elspeth caught her breath and leaned into him, her fingers tightening on his arm. Her steps turned into almost a bounce, as if she dearly wanted to ask a question but was restraining herself.
And, somehow, her excitement made him want to answer the questions she had not asked. “Ellonahshinel.” It was easier to keep talking if he kept his gaze focused on the tree palace ahead of them. Looking at people when he talked tied his tongue. “In your language, it means Heart of the Forest.”
She nodded and grinned. As if she was happy to be here.
They ascended the stairs up the spreading roots of Ellonahshinel and entered the formal entry hall. There, his family was lined up, waiting.
Farrendel swallowed and braced himself for their reaction. Weylind had sent a message letting them know Farrendel was bringing a human bride back to Estyra. But that did not mean they would be mentally prepared for such a thing.
As their gazes flicked from Farrendel to Princess Elspeth, their jaws tightened. Eyes hardened.
This was not going to go well.
After an awkward moment, Weylind’s wife Rheva stepped forward, and Weylind rested his hands on her shoulders, murmuring too low for anyone else to hear. Farrendel told himself he was not jealous of the warmth in Rheva’s eyes or the softness that eased Weylind’s features when he looked at his wife.
After Rheva stepped back, Weylind greeted Ryfon and Brina, his son and daughter. Then Weylind moved to Melantha and Jalissa.
Farrendel waited, Princess Elspeth at his side, as everyone turned in their direction. He struggled to find the words to tell them…something. Anything.
Weylind glanced at him and must have seen his hesitation. He gestured to Farrendel and Princess Elspeth. “This is Princess Elspeth of Escarland, Farrendel’s wife.”
“I cannot believe you really allowed those humans to marry their princess to him.” Melantha clenched her fists.
“It was the condition the humans placed on the treaty.” Weylind’s shoulders slumped as he glanced at Farrendel. As if he felt he had failed in some way.
“How could you let him marry a human? The court already scorns him. This will only make it worse. The last thing this family needs is another scandal.” Melantha jabbed her finger first at Farrendel, then at Princess Elspeth, before finishing by spinning to Weylind. “We do not have to go through with this. Especially not a public wedding.”
Farrendel stepped in front of Princess Elspeth to shield her from his family. “Melantha, this is my choice. We need peace. She is the way to get it. Besides, we are already married, and Tarenhiel honors Escarlish marriages as binding. The wedding here is merely to ensure there is no doubt, and so that my family can attend. Now, will you aid me or not?”
Melantha glared and crossed her arms. Still not happy whatsoever.
Jalissa let out a sigh and met his gaze. “Is this truly what you want?”
Melantha huffed and swiveled her gaze to the ceiling for a moment. “He was forced to marry her for a treaty. Of course this is not what he wants.”
Farrendel glared back and did not try to correct her. He was not sure how to put a retort into words. Yes, he had been forced to marry Princess Elspeth. But he had done it willingly. Because marrying her was far better than a war. And, perhaps, because her smile did something inside his chest that felt almost like happiness.
“What is done is done.” Rheva’s calm voice cut through the tension. She held herself with dignity, as a queen of the elves. “Right now, we need to focus on arranging a wedding fit for our brother. Now, Farrendel, please introduce us to your bride.”
Farrendel would never take Weylind’s wife for granted. She had married into the family, knowing she would someday become the queen of the elves. Yet, within a few decades of marriage, she weathered the loss of the late elf queen and the scandal of Farrendel’s birth and acknowledgment. Less than a hundred years later, she found herself queen far sooner than she should have when Farrendel’s father was killed.
