by Lisa Kumar
“Smart little queen.” Aistiane gave her an approving nod. Eamon bolted up from his chair. “I’ll not go live with those heathens.”
Aistiane spun on her heel and leveled a glare at the traitor. “You’ll do as I say. As a peaceful force, I may not be able to kill you myself, but I can still bring about your death, nevertheless. You’d be wise to listen to me in this. Earth is your last chance. Don’t screw it up.”
Crimson flooded Eamon’s face, and his mouth worked soundlessly. Aistiane turned her back on him, clearly dismissing him. Gazing at Maggie, she said, “Now that their fates have been decided, I have one last thing to do.”
Maggie stood without thinking and descended the dais. As she came to stand before Aistiane, Maggie stretched out her hand.
Aistiane reached out to take the pouch. “Ah, thank you, child. I believe this is mine.” She drew Maggie close to her and gave her a one-sided hug. “Remain close to your king, and you’ll know much happiness. Congratulations on the little one.”
Maggie’s throat clogged with tears. For some reason, Aistiane’s presence felt more comforting than her own mother’s ever had. “You know about the baby?” she whispered back.
“I knew the moment he—or she—was conceived.”
“Thank you...for everything.” Though her words were short and sweet, Maggie couldn’t think of any others that were more concise.
Aistiane let go of her, and then looked up at Talion. “Protect them.”
Some sort of unspoken conversation passed between Talion and Aistiane in a matter of seconds. Talion nodded, and she continued, “And make sure Eamon lives until I come for him.”
Talion bowed to her. “I’ll see it done.”
Maggie arched a brow. He didn’t seem nearly so frustrated as he had been that Eamon’s death penalty had been taken from his hands. Guess he agreed that Earth was the perfect torture for Eamon. Given that Eamon despised humanity, it probably was.
A terrible thought rattled Maggie. What if Eamon hurt innocent people on Earth?
As if Aistiane read her mind, and Maggie wouldn’t put it past her, Aistiane spared one last look at Eamon. “And trust me, there’ll be ground rules for when you arrive on Earth. You’re not going to cause death and chaos there.”
Eamon scowled at her as she winked out of existence. Everyone seemed to be talking at once. Maggie had never seen such disorder—and she loved it.
Talion leaned over and took one of her hands in his. “Just for you, my love.”
“What?” She sent him an arch look. “You caused this ruckus?”
He shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. So how do you like being my queen?”
“I’ll get back to you on it.” So far it wasn’t too bad, but give her a few more months, and she might change her mind.
“You know, a year ago I never thought my life would change, be energized. The notion of an eternal sleep beckoned to me like a siren’s call some days.”
He gazed at her with a solemnity that cast a serious mood over her. Those damned tears clogged up her throat again. She forced a smirk to her lips. “Well, I’m glad you stuck around. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be Queen of Fairyland now.”
“And as queen, you should stop calling Eria fairyland.”
She shook her head and squeezed his hand. “It will always be fairyland. And you my King of Asses.”
Epilogue
Eamon blinked repeatedly to block the glare of Earth’s winter sun. He lay flat on his back, where Aistiane had dumped him on the ground like so much garbage. Unpleasant fumes assailed his nose. Humanity was smellier than ever. Some things never changed, not that he expected any progress from weak mortals.
Shivering, he peeled his aching body up from the frozen ground. By the mist, why was human Earth so damn cold? He sneered. Oh, yes, because they had no magic. The imbecilic savages.
His eyes focused and brought in the view. Trees and more trees surrounded him. A light dusting of snow covered the bare branches and shrubs. He must be in some kind of garden. How like the tree-loving manifestation of the veil to drop him in such a place. Though he was an elf and liked trees well enough, he didn’t worship the ground they were rooted in like so many of his kin did.
His kin. Bah, they were all traitors to the cause. Why was he the only who could see that keeping humans out of Eria was paramount? Humans loved to destroy everything they touched by maiming, killing, and obliterating. He’d learned that lesson all too well many millennia ago.
He let a wolfish smile come to his face. If any human were stupid enough to approach him with anything but respect, he’d take pleasure in gutting them.
No, no killing. Aistiane had threatened him with a slow, painful death by Talion if he hurt a fly without her leave. Only to protect himself or another could he kill a human. While he’d kill to protect himself, it was doubtful he’d do so for any human. He growled at the very thought. He’d rather die than help a human that way.
Making sure no one was around, he rubbed his hands over his arms. Pain speared through his right palm, but he ignored it. After all, it was part of his penance. He snorted derisively. Like he needed that. However, Aistiane insisted if he ever wanted to see Eria again, he had to earn his redemption. What ever that meant.
He dug around in the little pack he’d been given and withdrew some old leather gloves. Their slightly tattered appearance made him wrinkle his nose. These castoffs, though quite unappealing, might save him from frostbitten fingers. Only by Aistiane’s commands had Talion allowed him to dress somewhat warmly in a long-sleeved tunic and a thin cloak. They did nothing to keep out the bitter wind.
Slinging the pack over one shoulder, he walked across a hard, smooth surface that appeared to lead out of the garden. No sense in staying in the area. Food would be hard to come by unless he managed to capture something. With his small dagger, it was possible but not all that likely. The little bit of food he had would run out soon.
Humans were stupid, so surely he’d be able to steal what he needed.
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About the Author:
Lisa Kumar is a wife, mother, and romance writer who grew up in small-town Indiana. She now resides in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and son, who are used to sharing her attention with her not-so-trusty computer. When not spinning tales of romance and fantasy, she can be found with her nose buried in a book, or more accurately, her e-reader. Her scholastic background is in psychology, which enabled her to get low-paying jobs in the human services sector. She's now writing full-time.
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Twitter: http://twitter.com/lisankumar
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Back Cover
Bound to the Elvin King
After countless millennia as the King of Eria, Talion thought he’d experienced all life had to offer. That is, until Maggie entered his land. The beautiful human whirlwind refreshes his spirit, while all too often trying his patience. Though he desires nothing more than to claim her as his bond mate and queen, his secrets could drive them apart or even end their lives.
Stranded in the elvin land of Eria, Maggie D’Anglio spends her days trying to figure out a way home while attempting to avoid the sexy and provoking Talion. Unfortunately, she’s living in his palace. His world. His rules. And he can watch her squirm under his penetrating gaze anytime he wants. The mysterious king intrigues and infuriates her as no one ever has, a lethal combination to her commitment-phobic heart. But when she parties too hard and wakes up magically bound to him, there’s no escaping the irresistible irritant—or her new role in a land on the brink of war with the darkindred.
His past, along with her pride, will threaten their relationship and their very lives. If they can’t place their differences aside, a kingdom will be lost to bloodshed. Will they have the courage to admit their love for each other, or will their fears bind them together in death?
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Lisa Kumar, Bound to the Elvin King