Page 12

ESSIE GRIPPED Farrendel’shand and braced herself as he leaned against her. As the benches didn’t have backs, he seemed to be struggling to sit upright through the ceremony, even as short as it was.

On Farrendel’s other side, Julien kept glancing over at them, as if checking to make sure Farrendel wasn’t about to pass out.

Beside Julien, Edmund was sneaking glances past all of them to Jalissa, who had taken the seat next to Essie instead of sitting next to Edmund as she had been doing for the past few days. By the way she sat stiff-backed and hard-eyed, something had happened, though Essie wasn’t sure what it was and wasn’t about to start whispering during a wedding ceremony to find out.

Averett and Weylind sat at the end of their row, both wearing their crowns and looking every inch the regal kings they were.

The troll ceremony itself was fascinating. It definitely made Essie thankful that elven wedding customs involved a lot less bloodshed and knives.

When the ceremony ended, Weylind stood, approached Prince Rharreth and Melantha, and gave what Essie assumed were congratulations. Though, it was hard to tell past Weylind’s hard mask, complete with a glare for Prince Rharreth.

Essie leaned closer to Farrendel. “It’s nice to see Weylind giving that distrustful glare to someone else for a change. I don’t think I’m his least favorite in-law anymore.”

That earned her a small twitch to Farrendel’s mouth. But the spark didn’t return to his eyes. Nor did he lift the iron wall he’d placed between them in the heart bond.

Averett joined Weylind in giving congratulations to Prince Rharreth and Melantha. As the king of Escarland, it was his duty in a situation like this.

Essie squeezed Farrendel’s hand. “Do you want to talk to Melantha? Or we can leave now and head for the train?”

Julien, Edmund, and Jalissa were watching them, as if waiting to take their cue from Farrendel.

Farrendel pushed to his feet, swaying a moment before he steadied himself. He strode forward, as if forgetting all about answering her or that she was still gripping his hand.

Essie sprang to her feet and trotted for a few paces before she fell into step with him. Edmund and Julien quickly caught up to them, and Edmund nudged Farrendel with an elbow. “If you need any pointers on threatening your sister’s new husband, just ask.”

“You know how good we are at it.” Julien smirked as he strolled on the other side of Edmund.

Farrendel didn’t respond to either of them. He seemed too focused on Melantha and Prince Rharreth to even notice the rest of them. He halted in front of Melantha and let go of Essie’s hand to grip Melantha’s shoulders instead. “Remember my promise, isciena.”

“Thank you, shashon.” Melantha squeezed Farrendel’s shoulder with one hand. Her other hand was still tied to Prince Rharreth’s.

It would have been a sweet moment, in other circumstances. Right now, Essie just wanted to drag Farrendel out of there as fast as she could, bundle him onto the train, and get him home.

When Farrendel turned to Prince Rharreth, his gaze went ice cold. A hint of magic played around his fingers. “Treat my sister well. I have killed two troll kings. Do not make me kill a third.”

Before Prince Rharreth could so much as glare back, Farrendel spun on his heels and marched away.

Julien shook his head. “I see he didn’t need any tips on making threats.”

Edmund shrugged. “I think we should have been the ones taking notes from him.”

Essie didn’t feel compelled to talk to Melantha or Prince Rharreth. She wasn’t up to offering insincere congratulations right then. Instead, she hurried after Farrendel.

Most of the Escarlish and Tarenhieli soldiers who had attended the wedding were also lining up and marching toward camp. There wouldn’t be a large wedding feast. Or, at least, not one that any of the elves or humans were invited to. The trolls might have one planned.

As Essie caught up with Farrendel and clasped his hand again, Averett and Weylind joined them.

Essie’s bag was already packed and should have already been loaded on the train along with the wounded. All they had to do was climb the path up to the plateau and walk to the train.