Page 13 of Stolen Thorn Bride

“So you want to try ahuman?” She stared at the elf king in shock. “This is my option? To… to bond with this man that I’ve never met in an attempt to save his life? To be tied to him forever if he lives, and die if he dies?”

“We do not actually believe you would die,” the elf in green interrupted in what was probably meant to be a soothing tone. It resonated with false assurance, rather like Ellery, while explaining why kicking her brother in the knee wasn’tactuallywrong. “Nor would you experience the same closeness of spirit. In fact, I believe it likely that you will feel nothing, which is the only reason we are considering such a course. Just as only another elf could enter fully into a soul-bond, so only another elf could suffer the same manner of injury.”

Kasia looked from one face to another, willing one of them to say they were joking, but her three captors stood between her and the door, staring back implacably, jaws set and eyes hard.

“And if I say no?”

The auburn-haired one answered swiftly, his voice wintery cold. “I believe the consequences have been made clear.”

“Your Majesty,” the green-clad one said, “there is little time. If any decision is to be made, it must be made now, without delay, or we may lose him before we make the attempt.”

The king—Miach—turned pleading dark eyes on Kasia. “I realize this must seem odd to you. That you have no reason to care whether a stranger lives or dies. But I beg you to consider that you may be able to save more than one life with your decision.”

Decision? It was no decision at all. They’d trapped her in a corner and left her only one way out.

Kasia looked down at herself—at her ragged, patched clothing and rough, work-calloused hands.

Then she looked around. She could never hope to fit in here, among these people, in this place, surrounded by wealth and beauty and magic.

But neither could she tamely accept death. Her brothers and sister needed her. Gianessa needed her. Whatever she had to do to get back to them, she would do, and deal with the consequences later.

Even if the consequences looked a lot like an impossibly gorgeous elf who probably wouldn’t be very pleased to wake up married to a pig-keeper.

At least they would have that in common.

“Very well,” she said flatly. “You’ve left me no choice, and you know it. I’ll marry him. Bond with him. Whatever.”

She’d intended to be angry. Maintain icy silence. But the king of the elves suddenly dropped to his knees in front of her and clasped her hands tightly.

His hands were shaking too.

“For as long as I live,” he said quietly, “you will have my gratitude.”

“I don’t want your gratitude,” Kasia replied bluntly. “I want my freedom. And I will find a way to have it.”

The king looked away. “Only save him,” he murmured, “and I will do what I can.”

It wasn’t much of a promise, but it was all she had, and elf king or no, she intended to hold him to it.

Only then did she hear the echo of Gianessa’s voice.

Beware of promises. Beware of kings.

It was far too late now. Perhaps it had always been too late.

“So what now?” she asked, knowing she sounded peevish and not really caring.

One of her captors spoke up from his position by the door. “I’ve sent for a seer. We must move ahead as quickly as possible.”

“Is there some kind of ceremony?” Kasia enquired, looking from one elf to another. “Do I at least get to change my clothes?”

“No time,” the green-clad elf insisted. “It must be done now.”

Well then. Kasia tried not to show her dismay as the full import of her situation struck her.

She was about to be married.Promises.To an elf. A half-dead elf, but still…

And she would say whatever vows were required of her while standing in a sick-room wearing her patched, muddy, work clothing that smelled of pigs.

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