Her gaze meets mine, full of disbelief. “I release you from your debt, then. You can return to your kingdom and forget about me.”
“No, I cannot,” I state firmly.
“Why?”
“We exchanged vows, Lyana,” I explain. “I am a High Elf. The words were binding; we are now bound to each other.”
Her jaw drops but she quickly snaps it shut. “Are you—are you saying that you cannot be released from the vows we made?”
“A deal made with my kind is not easily broken.”
“But there is a way to do this?” she asks. “A way to free us both from our vows?”
Pain stabs at my chest as hope sparks in her gaze. I do not understand this despairing feeling. Is this not what I originally wanted? A way out from a marriage made solely for political reasons?
Reluctantly, I nod. “We would have to go to the Elders. It is… not something done lightly.”
She frowns. “So… until we can go to one of the Elders, we’re bound to each other?”
“Yes,” I reply solemnly. “You are my mate and I am yours. We married to unite our two kingdoms; to avoid more needless bloodshed between our people. Eryadon is rightfully yours, and I will help you take it back.”
Her golden-brown eyes search mine. “Why would you do this for me?”
“You are not the only one who lost someone, Lyana. All of my party, including my mentor, Ruvaen—the man who practically raised me and my siblings—were slaughtered by Fredrik’s guards. I will not allow their deaths to go unpunished.”
She studies me with a piercing gaze as I continue. “You said marriages among your kind could be annulled if there is no proof of consummation.”
She nods.
“When we arrive at my kingdom, we will forgo the Elven ceremony of bonding and instead lead our armies back to your lands. After that, we can annul the marriage and form an alliance between our two kingdoms.”
She studies me a moment, her brows drawn together in deep contemplation.
“I would know your answer,” I press.
“Yes,” she replies. “My answer is yes. I give you my word that I will honor and hold to an alliance with Rivenyl.”
I dip my chin in a firm nod. “Then, we are agreed.”
She extends her hand and I take it in mine. I recognize the human gesture to agree upon a deal. Although, as my gaze drops to her soft, pink lips, I wish we were sealing our bargain in the old ways of my people, as we did at our wedding: with a kiss. “Thank you, Caelen.”
After she agrees to my plan, she lies back down and turns onto her side.
I gather a few pillows, intending to sleep upon the floor, but she stops me. “You can stay here,” she says, a nervous smile on her face. “I trust you not to try anything.”
A grin tugs at my lips as she places two pillows between us anyway. As if that could stop me if I were the monster she, no doubt, first believed that I was. I am glad, however, that she trusts me enough to know I will not harm her.
I lie on my back, staring up at the ceiling. I listen as they rhythm of her breathing becomes soft and even.
After a while, I close my eyes, intending to drift away. My nostrils flare as I detect the saline scent of her tears, and I open them again and glance at her.
My heart clenches. She is crying in her sleep. My bride has been through much. She has lost her mother, her brother and now her father as well. I am glad, at least, that we were able to return Rina to her.
Carefully, I pull the comforter up over her, tucking it around her shoulders. She nestles beneath the blanket and I remain awake a bit longer to make sure she does not need anything. I understand all too well the cost of grief. If there were a way to spare her this, I would. But, because there is not, I will do whatever I can to help her.
We are bound to each other. And until she dissolves our bond, I will not forsake my mate.
