Page 19 of Troll Charming

She nods, and they go out to the little porch on the side of the house. I sit there like a dummy for a moment. Every time one of my foster families was about to dump me back into the system for some minor infraction, they would always make me sit at the table while they discussed me in another room. The verdict was always the same: “Send her back.” I’m so stupid for asking to go home. This place is like one of my books, beautiful and perfect, but everything comes to an end for me. My forever is by myself.

I stand up and walk towards the door. Their words are muffled through the wall and glass of the little window. But I can just make snippets out.Probably from years of practice listening at doors in my foster families.

“But there must be another way…”

“The council is firm.”

“But what about what we said?”

“They won’t care.”

“The laws are the laws.”

Then they rattle around for a moment, and I cannot make the words out… until I can…

“…this should have never happened. You should have killed her before. As far as they are concerned, she cannot live…”

Shock runs through my blood.

“You must do your duty for the village.”

My heart beats to the rhythm of my panic. I have been through the discarding phase with men, but apparently, it is much more serious with trolls. With humans, it generally means ghosting. But here in this mini- magic-kingdom, it means death.

I can’t stay here. They are just out back, so I dash to the front door. God, but how can I leave him?

Are you kidding? This isn’t a game anymore! And you knew deep down it would never last. It never does. Time to put on your big girl panties and get the hell out of here.I will just head in one direction and keep going. That should get me out. It better.

But there is one think I must do. I owe him that. Still, the adrenaline is pumping in my veins. Frantically, I search the room until I find what I want. The paper is old, and the pen is made of quill and ink. But I quickly scratch out the words I must say and place them on the little table under my empty tea cup.I slip myself out the front door, closing it noiselessly behind me. Dying for love is not on the agenda today.

CHAPTER 10

“They have to listen to reason,” I say.

“One would think so. I think this angle should hold weight,” Tabitha replies.

“It better. I don’t want to contemplate the alternative.” Suddenly, I look up and notice the failing light. “The hour has gotten away from us. The elders require my presence in the chamber at sundown.”

Tabitha looks up at the sky, frowning. “Then you had better hurry—it won’t do to be late. They may take that as an insult, which could seal your woman’s fate before you even have a chance to plead her case. Leave Alexandra in my care. I will get her situated and then follow you to add the weight of my voice to your position.”

“Very well. Please give her my love and explain to her that I had to make haste.”

“Of course, and I will follow soon after. Now go. Hurry, before it’s too late.”

The idea of leaving Alexandra alone with Tabitha, whom she only just met, pains me, but I cannot risk the consequences if I remain even a second longer.

As Tabitha goes back inside her cottage, I set off at a dead run through the woods and up the hill into the village.The fearsome specter of failure and defeat already looms over me. What if I cannot get them to see reason? Will I have to kill her? I realize I cannot. Perhaps they will somehow allow her to leave our village unharmed if she promises not to speak? No, I already know that would never happen.

I run right through the central town square as the residents go about their chores and errands. But all eyes are on me after I yell for them to make a path as I finally mount the marble stairs of the central hall. I can almost hear the bells of doom ringing out for me. And for my love—my mate.

As I enter the large, ornately decorated hall, I see Troth, as well as Sammy, Kaldor, and Thorne. All those who were present when Tabitha cast her spell are present to support me. And all of them, including Troth, who is always the pinnacle of calm, look a bit nervous. I realize what happens to me tonight has a bearing on us all, and they know it. If I, or any of us, have a chance for a mate, I must stand my ground.“Red!” I hear my name shouted over the din from the large imposing podium at the back of the room, where the twelve village elders sit wearing formal silver robes.

“Red!” I hear the voice again as I push my way through the crowd. I’ve never seen so many attend a trial like this.

“I am here,” I call out over the others, and a hush falls over the room. The eldest of the twelve, Dartor, a silver-haired elf, his face more ancient than the village itself, steps forward to greet me in the custom of our town when one is on trial. I realize that is in fact what this is. A trial of sorts. I have seen this done before but have never been the recipient.

“Red, troll of the third generation and a prince of the house of Relgor. Do you know why we summoned you this evening?”

“Yes.” I nod; I know they want more. “I have brought a human female, a woman, into our village without the permission or knowledge of either the Council of Elders or the Common Council. I take full responsibility for the consequences, but I must assure you all that she will cause no harm to us, nor will she expose our home or way of life. I give you all my word as a troll, a prince, and a respected member of this town.”

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