Page 117 of A Brat's Tale
I nod nuzzling into his hair, wanting to bury myself into it for a long time. I know that’s not to be though. “I came from the lake, everyone was gone.”
“These are some of your first moments as an Elf then. I can’t help being happy I’m one of the first.”
“You are.” I notice there’s a new tattoo glowing under his eye. I squint, pressing carefully there. “This says—”
“—Tristan.”
“But how?” We spent so much time worrying about who would say what and who would think what.
“I got it done, and I dared any fool to say a thing. One did. He lost his head, and no one’s spoken your name since.”
“And your father?”
“Understood. It’s a silent thing between us.”
I’ve always suspected the king’s feelings for Tom ran a lot deeper than they let on. They were better at hiding it than Baya and I were.
“I like it.” It makes my heart clench. I finally have a permanent mark on him. My brain is wild with questions for him. “How is, Uncle Taj?”
“He made it back and he will never forget the only human in his memory to survive an Elemental Death Wolf.”
Right. That.
“Not without his help,” I say, and he tenses but I don’t want the mood to be serious. We only have so much time. “So? Do you have green babies yet, Baya?”
“Soon. My husband is pregnant.”
“You did marry the prince then.”
He nods. “I had to. Father made the decision. He’s not you, but I find he’s not so bad. There are things I like about him and sometimes he even likes me.”
“You must drive him horribly insane.” I laugh picturing it. I wish I could see them together, even once.
“A bit. He’s soft and I have to say I like getting to protect him.”
“Wow, I’m almost jealous. That must be your thing. As a human, you had to protect me.”
“I have discovered, yeah. It is a thing, but Tristan, I’ve never stopped loving you. I have missed you. Some days it’s more than I can bear.”
I tear up. “For me as well.” We lay there for a while on stolen minutes. We weren’t supposed to have these, but we get them and I’m grateful for every second. “What now?”
“Zelphar’s warriors gave a good fight. I was separated from my crew, but when I didn’t see you with them, I took the opportunity to hang back. If you can get to Corrik, and convince them to head back to Mortouge, I can do the same with my warriors. It will be nothing more than a failed mission.”
“Good plan. Should work. What about the war?”
“That’s harder. Ando is hellbent and Father is behind him with dreams of strengthening the realm.”
“And you?”
“I’m a soldier, Tristan. I’ll do what my family asks of me, but I would prefer it if it could be stopped. It won’t be easy though. C’mon,” he says pulling me off the ground. “I want to look at you before I go.”
Right. For a moment I forgot that our moments would end. He takes my hand, dragging me out of the trees and into the moonlight. “Tristan you’re … something else. You were magnificent before, but now you don’t seem from this world. Corrik is a very lucky Elf.”
I get shy. I’ve already had so many Elves enamored with me, what’s going to happen now? I push him. “Stop it. It’s just me.”
He secures his hand over mine. “I should spank you for that. It’s never just you. You’ll always mean a great deal to me. Tristan tell me, are you happy?”
I know this Elf. He doesn’t have to say it for me to know his concern. I feel it like wind pouring off him in gusts. He’s been worrying about me. He’s lost sleep over it. He’s still not sure he shouldn’t cart me off to live in hiding, keeping me safe. “Things weren’t easy at first. I didn’t understand Corrik’s actions—he locked me in my room.”
