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Farrendel stepped to Essie’s side. Time to translate. She was getting better, especially when it came to understanding spoken elvish. But her Escarlish accent was thick for anyone who was not used to it.
She glanced at him and asked in Escarlish, “What did I say wrong?”
“Your Escarlish accent is thick.” He could feel a smile twitching the corners of his mouth.
She sighed with resignation. “How is it supposed to sound?”
He said the greeting, and she repeated it several times until she had it right. By that time, Farrendel was struggling to hold back his smile, and the other elf was quietly laughing.
This was what Essie brought all of them. Laughter. Hope.
And she showed Farrendel how he could be helping his fellow warriors more. He might be the illegitimate prince, but he still had power and resources. He could approach Weylind with any changes or laws that were necessary. He had access to the elven court, even if he was an outcast among them.
He was not sure what he could do or how he should do it. But Essie would know, and she would help him.
If only they could end the war with the trolls. That would be the best thing they could do, even if it was a distant dream at this point.
* * *
Another night.Another nightmare.
Farrendel leaned against the wall in the main room, his throat still aching from his screams and his eyes aching after so many sleepless nights in a row.
Essie curled up on the cushions next to him, so close that their arms were brushing. But she did not pull away, and he did not either.
After a moment, Essie yawned, eased even closer, and leaned her head against his shoulder.
Farrendel’s breath caught in his chest. But he managed not to flinch away from her. No, this was actually…nice. Better than nice.
Her head was a heavy weight on his shoulder as she slumped even more against him. “I’ll try to stay awake if you want me to…” Her words ended in another yawn.
“Rest.” Farrendel took her hand, then shifted so that her head rested more comfortably against him. After staying up late telling him the folktale the night before, then the busy day at the event, Essie needed her rest. Besides, he had not had a chance to come up with a new elven tale to tell her. He leaned his head on top of hers. “Linshi.”
“No problem,” Essie mumbled as she drifted back to sleep. Only moments later, her breathing evened and her body relaxed with sleep.
Farrendel held her close, his muscles relaxing after the tension of the nightmare.
In another month, they would leave for Lethorel, and he would finally have a chance to truly rest. Maybe, in that rest, he could finally process these thoughts and feelings he had when he was with Essie.
He liked her. A lot. He liked how she had thrown herself into helping the wounded warriors with such a passion, simply because she had gotten to know him and his struggles. He liked how she was genuinely kind to everyone, even his family who seemed determined to not like her. She was so caring and giving and bubbly and just…Essie.
He had never felt like this about anyone. And that would take a bit of processing to get it settled inside his muddled mind and heart.
But Essie was worth it.
ChapterSixteen
Farrendel waited off to the side with Essie while his family said farewell to Melantha and Leyleira, the only two who were not going to Lethorel with them.
“Are you sure you do not want to come, isciena?” Weylind gripped Melantha’s shoulders. “Machasheni is capable of looking after the kingdom while we are gone.”
“Of course I am.” Machasheni released Rheva from a shoulder-grip hug and eyed Melantha. “You should go and enjoy time with your family.”
Melantha shook her head, a strange look in her eyes. “No, I am fine. I prefer to remain here this year.”
Beside Farrendel, Essie tensed. Was Melantha remaining behind because of Essie? Farrendel hoped not. He had thought his family had at least gotten to a point where they could tolerate Essie. It was far from the wholehearted embracing her as family that he would prefer, especially since he was well on his way to falling for her, but he would take any progress that he could get.
After giving Melantha another sharp look that had her squirming, Machasheni turned to Jalissa, speaking quietly.
