Page 33 of Long Live the Elf Queen

“About a year ago,” Piper answered.

Fennan ran his palm over his short black hair. “There have been others before and since. He sets an example every so often. Obey or die.”

“But you didn’t rule by fear. Why does he feel he must?”

Thane blinked a few times as if coming out of a daze. “Because my father is not a dangerous elf so he thinks that is what he must do. And no, I didn’t rule by fear but that doesn’t mean they weren’t afraid.”

“Did you threaten them?” What were those first weeks of his rule like? Did everyone immediately fall in line with their new king? During the games and festival, the people showed nothing but admiration for him.

“I never had to. They all know what I am capable of.”

A small smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. “Your place was earned on the battlefield among them. There are not many rulers who will go out and fight for the cause. They follow you out of respect, not fear.”

He leaned in and kissed her cheek lightly. “I suppose so.”

“I think you underestimate how many will back you when you publicly kill your father and take his place. Who would stop you? Whocouldeven if it’s against your laws?”

Thane sighed. “They couldn’t stop me, but I don’t want to have to kill any of my father’s loyalists, forcing me to become like him. And I truly don’t want to be the first elf king to murder his own father to take his place on the throne.”

“But that is not what you’re doing,” Fennan interrupted. “It’s not for the throne. We’re stopping him from destroying Palenor.”

“But will the people see it that way?” He paused for a moment. “Will my mother?”

They came up the entrance to the main street of Braxentown. Several hitching posts and a red-painted, twenty-stall stable awaited them. The roof was made of thatched straw and the doors, sliding wood. Half the stalls were already full, and a few horses were attached to the posts. A man shoveled horse manure into a barrel, and another came off a stool. He wore a wide-brimmed dirty black hat and chewed on a piece of wheat. “What can I do for ye?” From his rounded ears, pot belly and rough voice, he was most definitely human.

“We’ll need to keep our horses here for a night,” Thane said.

His eyes glided along the group. “There are six horses. It will cost ye.”

“We have the money.” Thane reached back, Tif handed him a brown leather pouch before he could ask. Thane gave it a little shake, jiggling the coins around and then opened it. “I think a solid silver coin should do.”

“That’s more than generous, sir…?”

“Sir, is fine,” Thane responded. He pressed two silver coins into his palms. “One is for your service. The other is for your silence.”

The man’s dark eyebrows shot up. “Anyone asks about ye, I’m a mute.”

“Good man,” Thane said with his charming grin. “I’ll give you another upon return if you make sure none of our belongings are touched.”

“Sure as the sun will rise, sir.” He tipped his head and took hold of Phantom’s reins.

Layala carefully slid off the horse and dropped to the ground. She lifted the flap to the bag and waited for Tif to come out. She didn’t move until Layala said, “Tif, come on. We’re going.”

“I’ll stay.”

“No, you won’t. It might not be safe here.”

“Ugh, fine.” She stood up and held out her arms like a small child would. Layala grabbed Tif around her little body and when she set her on the ground the gnome squealed and stamped her foot. “Have you lost your mind? I can’t very well walk this busy street. I’d be stepped on and squished like a grape.” She set her large puppy dog eyes on Thane and her smile turned into a pout.

Looking between the two of them, Layala asked, “Has Thane been carrying you around?”

He stooped down and grabbed her by the back of her dress and slid her into the hood of his cloak. “Unfortunately, I’ve become a pack mule for the wretched creature.”

Her mouth hung open as her stubby fingers wrapped around the hem of the hood and she peeked out. “Wretched?” She glared at the back of his head. “He complains but I’ve grown on him. I know that because he saved me from being eaten by a fox not long ago and he could have let it chomp me right up. I mean, I was this close to being a goner.” She held her pointer finger and thumb a sliver apart. “I’d have made a fine meal for that fox too.” She patted her cheeks. “A little chub adds good flavor.”

“I should have let it eat you,” Thane said and winked at Layala.

Tif folded her arms and sunk into the fabric. “I won’t say another word until I get an apology.”

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