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were betrothed—or planning to bring him along.”
                  “There was no time. It just happened. And we cannot bear to be apart. You must understand.”
                  Now she cut her eyes over to me, acknowledging me for the first time since entering the hall. Lad noticed it, too. He glanced between the two of us. Of course he understood. If she and this Culley person felt about each other the way Lad and I felt, then this ambassadorship would be a misery for the both of them if they were forced to live apart.
                  I could tell Lad wanted to be compassionate. But he was understandably concerned about the surprising alteration in plans. It bothered me, too. Sure, long-distance communication was a bit of a challenge for the technology-phobic Light Elves, but there must be some kind of information exchange going on between the two Courts. And this was a big change.
                  We’d essentially have two emissaries from the Dark Court. Two outsiders living among us. Two Dark Elves with glamours we didn’t yet know and intentions we couldn’t be entirely certain of.
                  Feeling protective of Lad, I extended my glamour toward the girl. Hmmm… despite her confident facade, she was nervous—afraid even—maybe that Lad would say no to her request? The guy was harder to read.
                  As I studied him, he gave me a quick side glance, and I could have sworn he winked. One corner of his mouth edged up in a hint of a smile. Good God, he was cocky. Though he looked nothing like him, he reminded me a little of Nox. All I could read from him was sardonic amusement—and a pretty hefty sense of self-confidence. Whatever he was here to do—he had no doubt he’d get the job done.
                  The two of them waited patiently before Lad. Finally, a smile spread across my fiancé’s face. “Of course. Congratulations to you both. And welcome to you, Culley. Please communicate my best wishes to your father. I hope you’ll soon feel at home here.”
                  Culley bowed again, keeping his remarkable eyes trained on the throne. “Thank you, Your Highness. I’m certain I will.”

Chapter Five
Lad
     
     
     
     
     
    After the gathering, our newly arrived guests were shown to their quarters to rest up from their trip to California. Ryann and I retreated to my room.
                  She was beautiful with her long hair pulled up, exposing her pretty neck, and soft tendrils falling down around her face. The Elven gown she wore complimented her figure, teasing me with its nearly sheer layers.
                  I drew her into my arms, which was where I wanted her all the time. Glancing over at my bed across the room I had to laugh at myself. Well, that was actually where I wanted her, but we were getting to that. If I could blink and skip ahead to our wedding day, I’d do it in a heartbeat.
                  I’d move the date up if I thought I could get away with it, but tradition was everything to my people, and how could I violate the mourning requirements for my own father? Mother would never forgive me. I’d have to be patient. Somehow.
                  Pulling the pins from her hair, I sifted my fingers through the silky length of it. “You were great today—very regal.”
                  “I don’t like it.” Her beautiful eyes were troubled.
                  Unable to resist, I kissed her softly then pulled back. “What don’t you like? Being a monarch? Join the club. Or if it’s my room you don’t like, you can change it any way you want once we’re married. Or we’ll move into your suite. Or select another one in the royal residence. We have about… oh… fifty to choose from.”
                  She gave a giggle and a light slap to my arm. “No. You know what I mean. The fact that she