Page 17 of Elf Prince

She could have scorned Farrendel. His existence had made her life far harder than it should have been. Yet she had stuck by Weylind—and thus Farrendel—unfailingly.

Farrendel introduced each of his family members to Princess Elspeth. Then he gestured to her. “And this is Princess Elspeth Amirah.”

While Farrendel did not think she understood elvish, she must have understood enough. Because she smiled. “But you can call me Essie.”

The same shortened name her brother had called her. What was this human custom of a short name? Did it have any deeper meaning?

Melantha wrinkled her nose and opened her mouth as if about to say something.

Farrendel held up a hand. He did not want to hear any more. “Please, isciena.”

“Fine. If this is what you want, I will plan the wedding.” Melantha spun on her heel and swept from the room.

Weylind glanced at Rheva, something passing between them, before he turned back to Farrendel. “Rheva will aid her, and I will ensure the court knows this will be a wedding fit for a prince of the elves.”

In other words, Weylind would make sure the court knew they could not afford to shun this wedding. Not if they wanted to avoid bringing upon themselves the displeasure of their king.

Once Weylind, Rheva, Ryfon, and Brina left, Farrendel turned to Princess Elspeth. She peered at him with trusting eyes that appeared greener in the green depths of the forest. Standing this close to her, he could see the smattering of freckles across her cheeks. A wisp of her red hair fell across her forehead. He had to take a deep breath to clear his thoughts. “The wedding will be tonight.”

Her eyes widened. Perhaps he should have thought of a better way to deliver that news.

“Rheva and Melantha have agreed to arrange it while Jalissa will help you prepare.” Farrendel gave Princess Elspeth a nudge toward Jalissa. With his hand on her back, he felt her deep breath, as if bracing herself.

How frightened was she? It was hard to tell past her ever-present smiles. If only he could reassure her that she was safe here. But she would likely not believe him if he did.

Farrendel started for the door, but he paused next to Jalissa, glancing back to Princess Elspeth. He had much to accomplish, but he found himself strangely reluctant to leave her. “Look after her.”

“I will, shashon.” Jalissa patted his arm, her smile soft. She did not ask why he was doing this, though he could see she wanted to.

Farrendel could trust Jalissa with Princess Elspeth. She was far less hardened and bitter than Melantha.

With one last glance at Princess Elspeth, Farrendel turned and strolled from the room. He wound his way across the branches, farther and farther from the bustle of the center of the tree, until he reached the branch that contained his rooms. The peace and quiet here settled into his mind and heart.

Except…he grimaced. Three servants were approaching, one male and two female. One carried the sack of Princess Elspeth’s belongings, one carried Farrendel’s travel bag, and the last could barely see over the puffy white mound of fabric she hugged as she tried to keep all the fabric from tripping her.

“Amir, where would you like the amirah’s things?” The female servant carrying Princess Elspeth’s sack of belongings halted before Farrendel.

The male servant simply dropped Farrendel’s travel case on the porch of the main room, nodded to Farrendel, and left. Farrendel nodded in return. The servants knew his quirks, though they probably did not know the reason he barred servants from so much as stepping foot in his rooms.

This was his sanctuary free of other people. The one place he could relax.

Princess Elspeth would change that. His sanctuary here would no longer have the peace and quiet it once did.

The female servants were still standing there, waiting.

“Put her things in the first guest bedroom.” Surely she was not expecting to move into his room. Hopefully she would be content to keep to herself on her branch while he stayed on his.

As the female servant edged past him, Farrendel had to lean back to give room for the servant with the large white wedding gown.

Princess Elspeth had said something about how she loved that dress. Today would be strange enough for her. Perhaps she should have this piece of her homeland with her.

“Wait.” Farrendel swallowed. He could not meet the servant’s gaze as he gathered his thoughts into words. “Please take this dress to the seamstress. Ask her to remake it in our style for the princess’s wedding dress.”

The servant blinked at him for a moment, probably thinking him addled for asking the seamstress to turn that monstrosity of fabric into something presentable. But then she nodded. “Very well, amir.”

The tightness in his shoulders did not relax until both servants had left, toting the frothy white wedding dress between them.

He crossed the porch and entered the main room of his living quarters. The countertop and cupboards in the kitchen section remained as empty and spotless as he had left them. To the other side, cushions covered the floor, for relaxing. Not that Farrendel spent much time lounging.

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