Page 64 of Revenge of the Elf Lord

“No fear about that, Freyja.” Loki walked back into the room. “If my granddaughter is involved, I will be her shadow, although if the draugar are involved, I may have to rescind my promise. They give me the creeps.”

Freyja’s sculpted eyebrows rose, her gaze moving from Loki to Shalendra before turning back to Lamruil. “Daqar also sent word they have discovered where their leader, Himra, and Dannoth are. Fer-Diorich has imprisoned them inside the Unseelie Court. They are asking our help to free them. There is another faction of werewolves on Midgard who have helped us in the past. Their guardian, Torin, will discuss it with those he guards. They will stop at nothing to destroy Fer-Diorich’s control. I will tell you when I hear back from Oberon.”

She smiled and waved the twins and Loki toward the dining room. “Now, Let’s eat. Idunn is unhappy with our tardiness and insists the food will not stay warm if we don’t get in there.”

Shalendra stepped to follow the small group, but Cyran snaked his hand around her wrist, holding her back. He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around to face him. “I find I'm not hungry for food and want to hold the woman I love in my arms.”

“Mmm.” She rested her head on his chest. For the first time in what seemed like forever, her body relaxed, content in his embrace and knowing the people she loved the most were safe in the next room.

“Are you happy, nín gilgalad?” he whispered in her ear.

“I am so very happy, my brave elf lord. I feel your happiness, too. You found your family,” she whispered back.

“Cyran.” Émilien's large form filled the doorway, a severe expression on his handsome face. “I forgot to tell you, I expect my future son-in-law to guard my daughter as I would—without your usual lip service. Now, the two of you better get in here before Hel comes after you.” He turned and disappeared into the other room.

Cyran groaned, his forehead dropping to rest on top of her head as Shalendra laughed, the tinkling sound filling the room. “His bark is worse than his bite. Besides, he likes you.”

Cyran scowled. “How do you know that? What I just heard sounded more like a threat, which I don’t think he would do if he liked me.”

“Are your extremities still attached to your body? Silly elf. If he didn’t like you, he wouldn’t have let you continue to hold me in your arms.” She reached up and placed her hands on either side of his face, amazed at how full her heart was. She had never dreamed her life could be so perfect.

“I love you with all my heart, my handsome elf lord. Let’s enjoy this short time with our family, and then we can go home.”

He reached up, pulling her hands away from his face, and tucked them against his heart. “Wherever you are, my starlight,ishome.”

* * *

---