Page 101 of A Serenade To The Elf Queen
The enormity of what Svenn did makes me tremble. He announced war on Aelfheim’s living gods. The Aeonians may not have objected to the High Council’s decision, but I know they will seek retribution.
“What seems to be the holdup?” Garrett mutters, looking over the procession for a clue.
I am about to ask the same thing when Ctibor meanders towards us with a box in his hand.
“The procession will not move unless the monster is cuffed,” the Alderalf says, handing over a leash to Darstan. He bows to me and quickly makes himself scarce. Well, Ctibor is not the only one avoiding me.
Almost all of my people are.
“Cowards,” Rainer curses sharply. “Let them do it themselves if they dare.”
As much as I agree with him, I can’t delay our departure any longer.
“I’ll do it,” I volunteer, taking the metallic chain from Darstan. I need this opportunity to talk to Svenn. Maybe I’m just desperate to be near him.
Svenn notices my approach and my heart suddenly beats a skip too fast.
Stupid heart.
I lift my head slowly, daring to meet his gaze. What a horrible mistake that was. His dark pupils have somehow shifted to something more russet than the stark crimson from the night of his rampage. They’re drawing me in like an enchanting siren’s call. This male made an utter mess of me on our wedding night.
“Hello, wife.”
I watch him swallow the words and a strange urge to kiss his throat rises. I want to bite it too. These weird cravings are almost terrifying now. Something is seriously wrong with me.
I open my mouth to greet him back, but the words tangle in my throat. There are so many unspoken things between us. But most of all, I want him to know how much I’ve missed him.
“You took away their sword hand,” I say instead. I can still hear the Valorian’s screams echoing in my ear.
“I let them live. Just like you asked me to.” His guttural voice cuts through the air. There is no remorse in his pitiless gaze. Not even a sliver of it. I loathe him for that. But I also want to lick that dimple. I rub my chest to quell the strange lust that has entwined itself with my anger.
This is madness.
“Why are you here?” I’m thankful the voice that comes out of my mouth is calm.
He looks at me steadily with his keen eyes. “Your uncle invited me. I’m sure you heard his proposal last night.”
“Rainer didn’t fully explain what it means for you to come with us to Aelfheim. The Veil will not let you pass if your intention is to harm us,” I tell him truthfully. “You might die from the crossing,” I add when he says nothing.
“You sound worried.”
“I am.”
He seems mildly amused by my answer. The way his expression smolders sends butterflies soaring in my heart. This attraction is starting to feel like torture now. He’s right in front of me but I can’t touch him. Out of all the males in this world, I had to yearn for the one that hates me the most.
“I know you didn’t choose this,” I tell him, my voice soft. “You’re free to go anywhere.”
The line of his jaw hardens. “You know I can’t. I am condemned to that thing.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
He remains silent for a long moment, studying me. That sharp gaze almost feels like a knife dissecting my insides. Perhaps I said something wrong.
The searing look continues until he finally heaves a heavy breath. “When you use the Rhunhraefn to summon me from a distance, every single nerve in my body is pierced and burned until I come kneeling in front of you. You’ll forgive me if I want to spare myself from that misery.”
A hole forms in my chest at the revelation.
“I won’t use the curse,” I say, averting my gaze so I don’t have to look at the agony in his eyes.
