Page 15 of War Bound

“Your brother is sneaky.” Farrendel’s tone was flat, almost like he couldn’t decide if he should be offended or impressed or simply bewildered.

“Yes, but, for the most part, he uses his great powers of observation and sneakiness for good, though he does enjoy annoying his younger siblings. As my husband, I think you now fall into that category.” Essie glared at Edmund’s retreating back. In the past three days since realizing they had formed a heart bond, Essie’s elvish had improved even faster than it had before. That meant up until a few days ago, Edmund had probably been better at elvish than she was, and she had been working at it for months.

Essie switched back to Escarlish as Julien took Edmund’s place with silent footsteps that almost seemed out of place for such a tall, large man. “My brother Julien. He’s in the army.”

Of all her brothers, Julien looked the most like the portraits of her father that still hung in many places around the palace. Broad shoulders, a round face, soulful deep brown eyes set in deep sockets. He was the quietest of her three brothers, but when he spoke, others listened. His wisdom and strategic insight had promoted him through the army ranks despite his title.

Farrendel had to reach up to grip his shoulders. “Shashon.”

Julien patted Farrendel’s back, making Farrendel stumble. “Come to the training yard for a sparring match while you’re here.”

Her brother’s way of saying,Let’s see how good you really are and if the Laesornysh legends are true.

Essie wasn’t sure she wanted to see a match between Julien and Farrendel. Even if Farrendel didn’t use his magic, he was deadly. Did he even know how to fight in a match that wasn’t to the death?

Julien stepped back, leaving Mother the one family member still to be properly introduced.

Essie smiled. “And this is my mother.”

Mother wore a soft smile as she also hugged Farrendel. He didn’t stiffen as much with her as he had with Paige, though he didn’t return the hug. When he clasped Mother’s shoulders in the elf version of a hug, his voice had a raspy, almost choked sound to it. “Mamasha.”

Mother.Now Essie had a lump in her throat. Farrendel had never had a mother before. Not one he had met in person to address like this.

Essie’s mother wouldn’t even recognize the word or know the depth of what it meant to Farrendel to say it.

Perhaps Mother did sense something of it or heard it in his voice. Her smile and expression softened still more. “Welcome to the family.”

ESSIE DRAGGED Farrendelaway from her family greeting party before they could think to ask awkward questions about where to stash Farrendel at night. She was just going to haul him to her room as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Except, when she stood in front of her door in the family wing of the castle, she had to pause to take a breath. Her life had changed so drastically the moment Farrendel had come into it. She loved her new life. Her new room in the elven palace. The routines she’d built with Farrendel over their three months of marriage.

But taking him into her old room here in Winstead Palace was such a clash of her old life and new. As if Farrendel didn’t quite belong in that room.

Nonsense. That was the wrong way to look at it. Once she invited him inside, there wouldn’t be a clash of her previous life and her life as a princess of the elves.

Gripping Farrendel’s hand, Essie pushed the door open and stepped inside.

---