Page 15 of Bound to the Elvin Prince

Chapter 7

Relian stood with his arms folded, his face plastered with an expression of neutrality that threatened to crumble to a fine dust. He gave an inward snort at the mental image of so dirtying his father’s pristine cream-and-silver study.

The situation was happening exactly as he’d predicted. For the last fifteen minutes, he listened to Talion rant about his supposed apathy toward the unfolding events.

His father didn’t take kindly to the almost certain possibility that he was to bond with a human. Relian hadn’t been able to tell him much beyond, “I am to be bonded, and not to an eivai, but to a human.” From there, his father had cut him off and dominated the conversation.

Of course, it helped matters not that Relian came off as “too flippant despite the seriousness of the circumstances.” He tried not to make light of his binding, but he hadn’t wanted to unduly stress his royal sire with the woe he still felt. His father had enough angst on his golden platter to handle. Alas, this hadn’t stopped his father from reacting strongly.

After finally stopping to take a breath, his father stalked over to him, where they proceeded to stare each other down. Amusement mingled with irritation in Relian’s gut. Talion hadn’t lost control to such an extent for nearly a few millennia. Like any elf of his station, his father had taken to heart only too well what he’d been taught with age and race. Restraint was often a good thing, but it was best done away with on occasion before a person forgot how to do so. Relian was much like his father in this.

Talion had mussed up his pale golden hair in a very un-kinglike fashion, his circlet long tossed off in his agitation. Aside from the differences in hair color, his father wore an almost identical face to that of his. Only their expressions differed wildly right now. He paused in his inspection of his father. Yes, the aggravation and the frustration that burned in his eyes were greater than Relian had seen in many years.

After stomping over to him, Talion grasped Relian’s wrist, seeming to want, no, seeming to need some modicum of emotion from him. “What do you play at? This is no trifling trinket you carry around.”

“I never said it was.”

His father took a deep breath, appearing to finally develop a certain calmness of mind. “There’s an explanation in order. Now.”

A wry laugh exploded from Relian. “An explanation? How I also would love one. But I don’t believe one is forthcoming for either you or me.”

“Stop being facetious. You risk certain insanity or worse if the matter isn’t resolved satisfactorily.” Talion’s voice thundered.

Relian winced. Only his father could make his voice as strong as a crack of lightning. “I am being serious. You exaggerate. New bindings in and of themselves don’t cause bodily harm to that extent. Completed bondings are much more dangerous.” Though he despised it, he nearly quivered at the uncertainty in his own voice.

His father gave a huff. “Much damage can come from an uncompleted or broken binding when it’s left in place for too long. After all, what’s the difference between a bonding and a binding? It is all a matter of degree.”

Though it was strangely amusing to watch his father’s iron control slip, he needed to defuse the situation before it ignited his own temper. He sensed a lull in his father’s tirade and held out a hand. “Peace. I’ll tell you whatever you desire to know.”

Talion’s face returned to a calm mask, and he gave an imperious nod for him to continue. Once Relian related his tale, he watched as a resolute emotion painted itself across Talion’s face. His father had come to a decision. Relian’s heart dropped to his stomach. He could only hope that it was in agreement with his own. If not, he’d have to do some quick thinking.

Shooting Relian an amused glance, Talion spoke first. “You guard those dreams like a lord hoarding his gold.”

Heat crept up Relian’s neck even as relief trickled through him. Talion’s mood could switch faster than he could blink. But in this instance, he was happy for it. From his father’s words, he knew he had Talion’s full support for the upcoming days and whatever they may bring. “They’re not exactly appropriate for public consumption.”

“When fate—or the mist, since it seems to be playing that role—brings you together, I just hope your...human appreciates the great regard in which you hold her.”

Relian stiffened. What was his father intimating? “Though she’s human, I give her the respect she deserves as my affianced, nothing more.”

“If that’s what you want to tell yourself.” Talion laughed outright. “You’re a stubborn elf. Add a human woman into the mix, and who knows where the whole situation will go.” He sobered. “I’ll accept her because I must. But we don’t know the state of her emotional health and must proceed with care. Humans can be fragile creatures. We don’t want to break her mind. Regardless, we must engineer acceptance of the human and secure some measure of contentment for you. And thoroughly research whether she’s associated with a prophecy.”

Now assured of Cal’s welcome by his father, Relian froze as another thought assailed him. That had seemed a little too easy. Just what was his father up to?

***

Relian tried to relax his posture as he watched the council room door. After two weeks of deliberation, his father had decided to call a meeting to session. This special gathering would be the first to know of his binding.

Though ambivalent about the whole affair, he recognized that they couldn’t hide such news for long. Especially from elves who had centuries or more to hone their perceptiveness. With that thought, all pretense of a polite smile slid off his face. He didn’t enjoy the notion of a skill he prided himself on being used against him, so he sat up even straighter when the council members and advisors started to filter into the room. The breakfast he’d eaten churned in his stomach. By the Green Mountains, everyone would soon know how his life was about to change.

His father sat in the seat of honor, an ornately carved chair of wood that contained scenes of nature. Relian’s chair was to the right of the throne-like seat, as it was his duty and right through not only blood but also for the leadership he provided to their people.

At that moment, Kenhel strode into the room. Flashing a smile, he asked one of the councilors who sat next to Relian if he could have that seat. After the councilor complied, Kenhel sprawled into the chair. He grinned impishly. “Surprised to see me? I wouldn’t have missed this for all the eivain in the world.”

Relian gave a barely audible snort. As a commander, Kenhel was a “sometimes” member of the council and participated in meetings when time allowed. Unfortunately, Kenhel seemed to partake only to increase his torture. “Why would you? You’ve many millennia to flirt with a whole horde of them, so no such bribe could keep you away.”

His easy smile remained. “I’m not sure if that was a compliment, but I’ll take it as one. I’m glad you have such faith in my abilities to achieve such a staggering number.”

“It’s not so much faith in your abilities of persuasion as it’s faith in your blind persistence.”

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