Page 34 of The Elf King's Sacrifice

“So, she is yours?” I rubbed the soft fur of the dog’s head before exploring her silky ears.

“No, she is yours. What do you want to name her?”

“How—” I protested, but he stopped me by leaning in for a quick kiss.

He drew back just far enough to meet my gaze. “Grimms choose their master or mistress, and she chose you. She is yours. My duties require my attention. I will send Kori to find you. He will help you with getting everything she needs.” The blue in his eyes flared in intensity as he studied my face. “I will seek you both at dinner. You have free range of the gardens and the grounds. I suspect this one is going to need to roam soon.” He brushed the top of the Grimm’s head before rising.

He crossed to the door before pausing and turning back. “Feeling better?”

I nodded. The nausea was gone, and the pain had disappeared. “Thank you for the elixir.”

He nodded. “We will have to discuss alternatives later, but not now.” The pup pounced on my hand, drawing a soft smile to his lips. “Don’t forget to name her.” Then he slipped through the door.

The puppy tumbled out of my lap, rump over nose, righted herself, and grabbed my sleeve in her teeth. I laughed. “Sable, I will name you Sable.”

Dropping my sleeve, she sat back on her hindquarters and regarded me solemnly for a moment. I had the distinct impression that she approved of the choice. Then she lunged for my sleeve again.

We played for a time before there was a knock on the door. At that same moment, I knew Sable needed to go outside to the bathroom.

“Coming!” I scooped the wriggling pup into my arms and went to the door. Whoever it was could accompany us to the gardens. Besides, I needed a guide to the outside.

With Sable cradled against my chest, I opened the door to find a male creature standing there. He only came to my shoulders. Lean and lightly stooped, he gave off the initial impression of an elder, but the face he lifted to greet me was youthful enough to be in its teens by human standards. However, human he was not. Moss grew in his shaggy pale hair and a vine or two hung down over his oversized ears. His tawny skin appeared almost bark-like in texture. As he blinked up at me, I admired his eyes, which were an impossible shade of brownish orange.

“Your Majesty, my name is Kori. Lord Durvin says you need advice regarding the care of Grimm pups.”

“Yes, Kori.” I offered him a big grin. “I am in a bit of a hurry. Do you mind helping me find the gardens? Sable needs to relieve herself.” Sable leaned out of my arms and began sniffing in Kori’s direction until she reached his face, which she licked.

The lad laughed before stepping aside. “Lead the way, Your Majesty.”

“I have a confession,” I admitted. “I don’t know the way. Could you lead?”

Kori frowned. “I would normally be quite happy to lead, but you see, madam, protocol dictates that we walk according to rank. And I, as a—”

I waved at him. “Then you shall have to tell me which way to go.”

“But, Your Majesty, I—”

Sable squirmed and whined, drawing our attention to her.

“Make an exception,” I ordered. “Otherwise, I will have to explain to Lady Channing and Meri how I ruined my first gown on my first day.”

His eyes widened before he hastily stepped aside. “Left, Your Majesty.”

I quickly complied, not even bothering to check to see if I closed the door behind me. Kori followed on my heels, keeping a precise three paces behind me on my left side.

We walked through a series of corridors, each more lavish than the last. Then we came to a balcony overlooking a grand room with chandeliers and mirror-lined walls.

“Down these stairs,” he instructed, indicating the grand staircase descending into the room.

“Is this the most direct route?” I asked as I rushed down the stairs in a mad dash as Sable’s whining increased.

“Yes.” Kori passed me in his enthusiasm and motioned toward the doors at the far end of the grand room. “Those doors open directly into the gardens.”

“Could you open one?” I asked. “I suspect we are going to be cutting it close.”

He dashed ahead and flung open one of the arrays of doors. Sunlight greeted me as I slid through the door and onto an unfamiliar terrace. I made a mad dash for the edge, setting Sable down on the grass before leaning over gasping for breath.

“Who are you?” a gruff voice demanded. “And what is that?”

---