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The princess yanked her brother from his chair and shoved him across the tent to the far side with surprising force.
When they spun to face each other, Farrendel ducked his head. They were not far enough away to prevent him and Weylind from hearing some of what they said. While it was not polite to listen to a conversation, this could give them insight into the humans’ plan more than anything else would.
King Averett hissed something so low it was barely audible to Farrendel, using a word with which Farrendel was unfamiliar. The human king continued to speak in a whisper quiet enough Farrendel only caught half of the words, but it seemed the king thought Farrendel might hurt the princess. Was that what the humans thought of elves? That they were cruel?
The princess glanced toward Farrendel and Weylind, then faced her brother with squared shoulders. She spoke loud enough her words were clear. “It’s gone too far already. I don’t think we can refuse. Nor do I want to.”
“Youwantto marry that elf?” King Averett’s face twisted, fists clenching.
Farrendel was thinking the same thing, just with less derision. Why was this princess so determined to marry him?
The princess and her brother spoke for several more minutes, but Farrendel could not concentrate enough to make out their words. Not with the way his heart was beating harder in his chest. This human princess was arguing with her brother to marry Farrendel. What made her so determined?
King Averett pulled his sister in close, far closer than elves would in public even with family members.
But whatever they said had the smile back on her face. It bloomed wider as King Averett tweaked her nose. An odd gesture, but it must mean something to human culture.
When she flounced back to her seat, she beamed as if she had been given a gift. Her lips pressed together, twisting as her smile broke through despite her efforts.
King Averett’s posture remained stiff as he faced Weylind. “We find a match between my sister and your brother acceptable. I believe her presence with your people will reassure my people that they have an advocate to maintain peaceful relations. Peace will still take time, but I believe it is achievable along this path.”
Was the human king hinting at actual peace? Would the humans be satisfied with this marriage alliance and demand nothing more? Farrendel hardly dared hope this marriage alliance could achieve so much. It would be too good to be true, if that were the case.
But there was something in King Averett’s tone, beyond the stiffness. Something that rang like hope, even if it was nothing but Farrendel’s wishful thinking.
Yet Weylind must have heard something in King Averett’s tone as well, for his posture relaxed a fraction as he nodded. “As do I. If, after a period of six months, your sister’s marriage to my brother has sufficiently cooled tensions, I will agree to send one of my sisters for an extended visit to your capital as an ambassador to further peaceful relations.”
Farrendel barely kept himself from starting. That was quite the promise that Weylind was laying on the table. It would be risky—perhaps even more risky than this marriage alliance—to send either Melantha or Jalissa into the heart of the humans’ capital city.
Yet this promise would buy them time. With this promise dangling in front of them, the humans would hold off any further actions for at least six months. After that, Melantha’s or Jalissa’s presence as an ambassador might buy them even more time, as well as give them a chance to find out what the humans truly wanted so that they could be better armed when the time came to negotiate for peace yet again.
Farrendel kept his expression neutral, trying to force himself back into the role of guard. Weylind’s promise was predicated on the condition that the marriage alliance work. That meant much of the burden would fall on Farrendel’s shoulders. Not a comforting thought.
For the rest of the meeting, Farrendel struggled to concentrate. He probably should pay better attention, considering his brother was arranging his wedding. Well, two weddings. The first would be a human style wedding in two days’ time—since Weylind did not wish to give the humans any time to plan treachery for the event—and a second, elven wedding when they returned to Estyra.
And all the while, the human princess sat there, that amused smile occasionally breaking onto her face.
Farrendel could not wrap his mind around the fact that she was happy to marry him. Happy. What kind of happiness did she possess that something like this could not shake it?
It did strange things inside his chest. As if, for the first time in years, he felt…hope. Hope that life could be better. Hope that a life with a person like her would not be miserable.
As Farrendel and Weylind left the island late in the afternoon, it occurred to him that he did not even know her name.
ChapterThree
Farrendel braced himself as the boat glided across the water toward the larger ship that would carry them the rest of the way across the river. Sindrel shifted, glancing between them. He, too, would sense the tension dripping from Weylind, althoughWeylind’s expression was impassive.
This would not be a pleasant conversation once they reached the privacy of the ship. Or, if Weylind’s self-control lasted that long, the train.
Farrendel swung easily up the side of the ship and landed on deck. He retreated to his designated room before Weylind could corner him. He was not yet ready for that argument.
When the boat docked at the Tarenhieli shore, Weylind fell into step with Farrendel, not allowing him to duck away once they reached the train.
Farrendel suppressed a sigh. He could not avoid this discussion any longer.
When they reached the seating car of the train, Farrendel planted his feet, clasped his hands behind his back, and waited.
Sindrel scurried into a corner, hovering by the door as if unsure if his king wished to include him in the outburst.
