Page 56 of Between Realms

“I will convince Eldrin to grant you a special privilege.”

“I don’t want to hurt anyone,” Wyn says, rubbing her arms as she hugs herself.

She needs comfort, and I will give it freely to my future mate. I wrap my arms around her and say, “And I don’t want to seeyouhurt.” I want my warmth to convince this brave human how much I care. How far I will go to protect her.

It will wreck me if anything happens to her.

I sigh.

How has she healed my wounded heart? I never thought I could love again. Yet, here I am, falling so hard that I might shatter when she doesn’t return my love.

My heart will break again as she desperately flees Ryven when Eldrin inevitably exploits her innocence and then throws her away.

But if she leaves, I will chase after.

Damn the consequences.

21

FREEDOM

WYNSTELLE

Over dinner, while the three elves chat about some meetings they have coming up, I poke at my food.

There’s a lull in the conversation, and I ask, “Have any of you known other humans?”

“I met a male briefly during the war,” Eldrin says. “But it was no more than a passing introduction.”

I look at Jaden and Oakes. They are older and likely have come across a human or two.

“I was involved in the war,” Jaden confesses. The words seem to upset him. “I was fortunate. Since my role with the prince sealed my fate, I was in charge of the prisons here, so they did not force me to the mortal world to slaughter them.”

“Prisons?” I haven’t heard about this part of history.

“Don’t fret. We didn’t torture or abuse them. It was more of a holding place for exchanging our captured.” Jaden sighs. “Although the humans didn’t spare many elves when they were captured. Most humans didn’t wish to show mercy on our kind.”

“I’m sorry,” I say on behalf of the human race.

“You weren’t there.” Jaden smiles weakly at my attempt to claim the past. “This isn’t your fault. None of us in this room would have chosen that war, and we were all happy when it ended.”

“I know the circumstances weren’t ideal, but what was your impression of humans?” I ask.

Oakes clears his throat and answers, “I was in charge of interrogations. So I had a significant amount of interactions. Most were scared or angry because of their dire situation. But there were a few who I became acquainted with outside of the interviews. I would have called them a friend under different circumstances.”

I’m shocked that we aren’t all barbarians. “So, they aren’tallbad?”

“Not at all.” Jaden gives me a lopsided grin. “I’d say humans and elves are far more similar than different.”

“Oh, I see. I wouldn’t know.” I glance at Eldrin, thinking of what the mage said about an enchantment to rid Elfhame of humans. “Do you believe I should return to the mortal realm, since humans don’t seem to be welcomed in Elfhame?”

Oakes knows my intended question and turns to Eldrin. “Your Highness, Mage Neven has detected a spell on the ghouls to harm humans in our realm.”

Eldrin’s mouth drops open to reply and then darts his gaze at me. His face drains of color, his expression troubled. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

“We just found out,” Jaden explains. “I had inquired after wondering about their strange behavior.”

“Did the mage determine who would commit such a horrible act?” Eldrin almost growls. His grip on the steak knife in his hand tightens, knuckles white.

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