Page 106 of Elven Crown

“He won’t break me. None of them will.”

“Rebecca…”

“Theywillkeep pushing me,” she continued, “and every time they do, I’ll get that much stronger. I’ll keep improving. They’llcreate something so strong and so unstoppable, I’ll become everything they’ve expected me to become and more. By the time they realize they took it too far, there will be nothing they can do anymore to stop me.”

Rowan studied her, looking a little shocked by her words until his knowing smirk returned and he tilted his head. “I get it. This is a long game you’re playing, isn’t it?”

“It’s all a long game,” she told me through a sliver of a smile. “If there’s any knowledge for you to gain by watching me, it’s that.”

“No point in doing anything if you can’t get a little enjoyment out of it, right? In that case, let me join you in this game.”

Rebecca couldn’t hold back a wry laugh as she looked him up and down. “What are you talking about?”

“The game. The long game.”

“Everything’sa game to you.”

A momentary frown flickered across his brow. “Not this one.”

He moved faster than she could decide what he was doing. The next second, Rowan was on one knee in front of her, gazing up at her from an even steeper angle with his back to the last few feet of the embankment’s descent, but he didn’t seem to notice.

“What are you doing?” Rebecca asked.

“Taking this seriously. Don’t ruin it for me.” He gently took her hand and held it in both of his.

Rebecca tried to pull it back, but he gave her a warning squeeze and wouldn’t let go.

She snorted and let him carry on with his foolishness. At the very least, it was a distraction from the terrible failure of a night she’d had and all the terrible failures yet to come. Until she mastered what she was meant to master.

“Rebecca Bloodshadow,” Rowan declared, holding her in his hazel gaze that now seemed to reflect more shimmering starlightthan what existed in the night sky. “Bloodshadow Heir. Scion of the Court and future Thon-Da’al—”

“Múrg dah’lás, don’t call me that.”

“Let me have my moment,” he said through clenched teeth before his serious and formal demeanor returned—something Rebecca had only seen at court and never when they were alone. “I, Rowan Blackmoon of my namesake clan, do solemnly swear myself into your eternal service for the expanse of my own life or of yours, whichever should end first.”

“What? That’s not—”

“It’s not a real oath if it doesn’t have an escape clause,” he said. “Don’t you read the fine print? Now shut up.”

She choked back a laugh but didn’t bother trying to hide her amusement. He could make the greatest tragedy into a joyous occasion if he had a mind to, which was apparently what he attempted now.

“With this, my solemn vow, I swear to be at your side forevermore. Circumstances allowing, of course.”

“Of course.”

“To offer aid and counsel wherever possible. Especially biscuits. Provided an appropriate supply in the larder to assist me in such endeavors—”

“All right, I get the point.” Rebecca tried to pull her hand away, but he held fast.

“I’m almost finished. To be your friend through all trials and tribulations, in whatever capacity necessary, whether you’re aware of it or not.”

Rebecca rolled her eyes, which earned her a stifled chuckle from Rowan. But when she looked back down at him, he was serious again, no hint of mischief in his eyes or constantly amused smirk gracing his lips.

In fact, he stared at her now as if he had just remembered something crucial, like he was about to deliver horrible news, orthat something terrible was about to happen and he didn’t know how to warn her.

She almost asked him about it before he continued with a rare measure of authenticity. “I give you my word, my heart, and my life. For as long as you will have them.”

He might have taken this a bit too far, but his sincerity comforted her. The Rowan she knew was sincere about very few things, but she knew she was one of them.

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