Page 54 of Healed By the Grumpy Elf

"Rylan," I begin as we reach the bottom of the stairs, "what do you know about Principal Braggstone's reputation in town?"

“That's an interesting question.” He pauses, eyebrows rising in surprise. “Why do you ask?”

We walk all the way to the door while I think of the best way to bring my concern forward. It’s an overreach and I hope Maeve won’t be angry at me, but what I saw is too concerning to keep quiet. This Orlin Braggstone will never threaten her again.

"Yesterday afternoon, I arrived at the school to find Braggstone physically threatening Maeve in the parking lot."

Rylan's expression darkens immediately. "What?"

"He had her cornered against her car. His hand was gripping her arm with enough force to cause pain." My voice grows colder with each word. "He was speaking to her in a manner I can only describe as threatening."

"What happened exactly?" Rylan's attorney persona emerges, his questions precise and focused.

I recount the events in detail, from the first time Braggstone threatened me to stay away from Maeve, to the repeated advances he made to her that she had to defend herself against during his year as the elementary school principal. When I finish my story with the physical altercation in the parking lot, Rylan Primrose’s delicate pixie features are as cold and stony as a gargoyle’s.

"I physically removed him from her," I conclude, not bothering to soften this fact. "And I warned him against approaching her again."

Rylan's eyes narrow. "Good."

"Maeve is my True Mate," I state, and the words warm me from the inside out. “I will do anything to protect her.”

The words hang in the air between us. Rylan's expression shifts from anger to surprise.

"That's a momentous declaration for an elf," he says quietly.

"Yes." I meet his gaze directly, challenging him to judge this action.

Instead, Rylan nods slowly. "I suspected as much, from the way you look at her."

"Braggstone's behavior is too extreme to come out of nowhere. I’m sure he's done this before," I continue. "Yesterday's incident could be part of a pattern rather than an isolated event."

"You're probably right." Rylan moves to open the door. "Braggstone arrived in Saltford Bay at the beginning of the school year. The circumstances of his hiring were somewhat unusual. The previous principal retired suddenly, and Braggstone was hired from out of state. I wasn’t involved in the screening."

My interest sharpens. "So no one near here knows him or his past."

"No one." Rylan pulls out his phone. "But I know people who can dig up anyone’s closets for skeletons, no matter how hard they try to hide them. If there's a problem in Braggstone’s past, I'll find it."

Relief washes over me, unexpected in its intensity. I have allies here. People who care about Maeve as well. Saltford Bay has become my home.

"Thank you," I say simply.

I step outside on the porch and turn to Rylan one last time.

"Maeve deserves happiness. And from what I've seen, so do you."

His words follow me as I walk to my car. Inside the vehicle, I reach into my pocket, fingers brushing against the small velvet pouch containing the Eternal White Lily.

The flower is the traditional offering for an elven engagement when one finds a True Mate. I'd visited three different specialty botanistsbefore finding one who could procure its rare bloom. Its petals never fade, remaining perfect for as long as the receiver lives.

As I drive toward Maeve's cottage, I rehearse what I'll say when I present it to her. The words need to be perfect; she deserves as much. I've never been skilled with romantic declarations, but for Maeve, I want to try.

The sun hangs low on the horizon by the time I turn onto the narrow lane leading to her home. Golden light bathes the wildflowers growing along the roadside, transforming the simple country path into something from a painting.

I slow as her cottage comes into view, its stone walls and thatched roof nestled among garden beds and fruit trees. Another vehicle is parked in the small gravel area beside her ancient car. A sleek silver luxury car that seems startlingly out of place in this rustic setting.

Something cold settles in my stomach as I recognize the distinctive emblem on the car's hood. This is not just any luxury vehicle. This vehicle bears the crest of the High Court.

I park beside it, my fingers tightening around the steering wheel. The Eternal White Lily feels suddenly heavy in my pocket as I exit my car and approach Maeve's front door.