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were bonded I could rein in my selfishness enough to protect her from the eternal, irreversible consequences should something happen to me.
                  Once we were bonded, that was it. We’d both be in it forever. But until then, I’d be strong and consider her best interests—not my own body’s demands.
                  My fingers wrapped around her tiny wrists, halting the progress of her ardent exploration. “Okay. I think that’s enough torture for now.”
                  Instead of a pout or reluctant cooperation, her expression held a shade of desperation when she turned her face up to me. “Let’s not wait anymore, Lad. I mean it. I’m afraid.”
                  I froze, tightening my grip on her. “Afraid of what? Are you saying you want to just go ahead and get it over with because you don’t think it will be good?”
                  “No. No—of course not. It will be good—I have no doubt. I’m afraid of something stopping the wedding—especially after this morning’s surprises.”
                  “What? Why?”
                  “Just a bad feeling.” She paused for a moment. “Have you met Ava’s fiancé Culley before?”
                  “No, why?”
                  “You made a reference to his father.”
                  “Oh that. I recognized his last name, and then I made the connection. His father is Audun Rune, the new head of the Dark Council. You met him, remember?”
                  Ryann’s eyes went wide and dark. “Of course. I also remember what Nox said that night—he said Audun was ‘mercenary.’ And then he said something about his ‘kid’—I can’t remember exactly. But it wasn’t flattering. Don’t you think it’s a weird coincidence that Ava’s betrothed happens to be Audun’s son?”
                  “No I don’t. Nox said her mother Thora is also on the Dark Council. It makes perfect sense according to the Elven tradition of arranged marriages. The two of them are of equal social rank.”
                  “I don’t like it,” she said for the second time today. “And I really don’t like him.”
                  “Good,” I pulled her close again, relishing the feel of her soft curves. “Because he’s about the best-looking Elf I’ve ever seen—and I don’t want him anywhere near my future bride.”
                  She broke into a bashful grin, obviously pleased by my possessiveness. “I could say the same thing about Ava and my future groom.”
                  I brought a hand up to cradle her jaw and made sure she was looking directly into my eyes. “Believe me, Ryann. You have nothing to worry about.”

Chapter Six
Ava
     
     
     
     
     
    I moved restlessly around our suite, pacing from one stucco wall to the next, absently touching the ancient wall hangings and elaborately carved furniture. Not only was I in a foreign kingdom, I felt like I was in another time, another realm—a place I definitely did not belong.
                  Stopping in front of an unusual instrument, I plucked one string and felt the sweet note vibrating through me, bringing a tear to my eye with its exotic beauty.
                  What am I doing here? The people of Altum—especially the young king and his betrothed—had been too welcoming, too kind. Too trusting.
                  “You don’t seem quite comfortable, love.” Culley’s smooth voice came from behind me, making me jump. He’d entered my room without my realizing it. I wasn’t used to his near constant presence yet. “Feeling claustrophobic here in the Kingdom of Mud? One would expect the Light Court to offer a bit more… light.”
                  I turned to face him, started to speak and then stopped myself before beginning again. “It’s not