Page 27 of Their Princess

“Jolie is going to turn into mush the first she sees him,” Trey said with a soft smile.

I nodded. “Nana Jolie is definitely going to be excited.”

My adoptive family was seriously the best. I hoped Elrith would feel the same as he grew older. But first, we had to convince him toletus adopt him.

ChapterEleven

Elrith danced in a circle, his tail swishing in his excitement. “I won! I won! I get your bread roll.”

Kayden panted in an overexaggerated manner at the doorway to the castle. “Yes, you won. You’re very fast.”

“Have to be,” Elrith said. “The faster the safer.”

He wasn’t wrong, but it made me angry to hear him say it, to know that he endured so much alone. My hair once again started glowing, casting rainbows around us.

Mason slid his hand into mine and squeezed. “Deep breath, babe.”

Closing my eyes, one deep breath turned into two before I finally felt the anger disappear.

“Little goddess,” Jol called as he exited the castle doors, a smile on his face.

Mason released my hand so I could step forward and hug Jol. “Hello, Jol. How are you today?”

He patted my back, set his hands on my shoulders, and smiled down at me. “I’m much better now that you’re here.”

“No,” Mason said and pulled me back against him with an arm around my waist. “No more men for you.”

Jol and I shared a smile before he looked over at Elrith who was slightly hiding behind Kayden. “And who is this?”

“Elrith, come here, please,” I called gently and held out my hand.

He hesitated a moment before Kayden stepped forward, giving him a way to stay hidden and make his way to me. Once he took my hand, his nerves settled a bit and he straightened to look at Jol.

“King Jolmach, this is Elrith. Elrith, this is King Jolmach. We are friends, so you don’t need to fear him,” I explained.

Jol squatted down and smiled at Elrith. “Hello, imp. Your horns are thick for your size. How old are you?”

“I’m five, King,” he answered, meeting Jol’s eyes, a bit of pride shining in his eyes at the compliment from Jol about his horns.

“Well, when I heard a guest was coming with our goddess, I had them make an extra special breakfast including things from the other world. Would you like to join us?”

Elrith nodded enthusiastically. “I’ve not eaten for two days as I missed the meals at the city.”

Jol scowled. “You missed them?”

Elrith nodded again. “I was trying to hunt in the woods and when I didn’t find anything, I went to the city, but they were already closed.”

“Ah, I see. Let’s not delay then, and head in so we can eat. I don’t want my people going hungry,” Jol said and stood.

I squeezed Elrith’s hand and smiled down at him as we followed behind Jol. He returned my smile and I knew my heart was already his. This little boy was never going to go hungry again.

“Did your discussions with Silverowl go well?” I asked Jol as we followed him down the hallway, and out to the garden where a large table was set up and filled with food.

“Yes, though we still have more to work out. There are meetings tonight with your kings and queens. Will you be in attendance?” He pulled out a chair for me and I sat in it with a smile of thanks.

“I wasn’t informed about it, so they must not think I need to be there,” I answered.

“I would like you to attend, if you have the time,” he said as he pushed in my chair and then pulled out the chair beside me for Elrith who hopped up into it, mouth open and practically drooling at the sight of all of the food on the table.

---