Free Tamed by the Prince (Elven Lover) by Cathy McAllister Page B

that you’ll need to abdicate very soon. Moreover Mawrek is old enough to take my place if I should …”
    “Of course! But it would cause your mother great sorrow if anything should happen to you.”
    It was typical of his father not to say how he would feel under such circumstances. He very rarely expressed his feelings. Nevertheless Merlon knew that his father loved him.
    “Father. Even Prince Rrandon is fighting at Volcan’s side. Ought Amarantus to hold back? Ought we to look like cowards?”
    He knew that he would conquer his father with these words. Amarantus and Kanninera had been enemies for a long time and they had only attained a shaky peace a few years ago. Amarantus would not look very good if it did not send a prince to the battle, too. As Mawrek was still too inexperienced, Merlon was the only possibility.
    King Assgard sighed.
    “OK. I herewith give you the royal command to represent Amarantus in this important matter,” he said.
    “Thank you, father!”
    His father nodded and Merlon turned to leave. When he had almost reached the door he heard the brusque voice of his father:
    “Fight well, son!”
    “I won’t shame you,” answered Merlon without turning.
    ***
    When Merlon entered the world of Abyssus he actually stumbled over the first warriors of the dark abyss who lay motionless on the ground. They had been slaughtered. There were severed limbs and smashed skulls, but to Merlons immense relief none of his friends were lying on the battle field. He hoped that he was not coming too late to be able to participate in the deciding battle. This here had clearly been just an initial skirmish. Without counting he knew that there must have been about two hundred warriors. He had information that said that Volcan’s army numbered twice as many warriors. But Exesor would definitely have saved his best warriors to defend the castle. There the deciding battle would be fought and it would be anything but easy.

    Merlon knew that he was getting close to the castle. On the way he had come across further fallen warriors, but it was clear that each battle had gone in favour of Volcan and his men. Merlon’s adrenalin rate was rising and he could hardly wait to finally be able to fight, too.  It was frustrating getting to one battlefield after another where the battle had already been fought.
    When, from behind, he finally approached Volcan’s army, positioned on a hill before the castle, he involuntarily tightened his grip on his sword. The soldiers watched him in silence as he moved through their ranks. Some of them respectfully lowered their heads. Merlon saw his friends standing on a small plateau. He could hear them discussing the battle that lay before them.
    “Good. Let’s get on with it. Let’s give these buggers a taste of death. Even if it is only for nine days,” he heard Volcan say.
     “
Hey
! You can’t start the fun without me!” shouted Merlon.
    Volcan turned round abruptly. He stared in disbelief at Merlon who stood there in full armour with his sword pulled, grinning from ear to ear.
    “Merlon! How the hell have you managed to get here?”
    “The same way as you. I must have slipped through the time seal shortly after you did. I orientated myself by the long trail of corpses to follow you. A few times I did think that I’d lost you, but it seems that I’ve found you. So! Shall we show the damned buggers?”
    “It’s good to see you, old man!” Aerios greeted him, grinning, and slapped Merlon on the shoulder.
    “To battle!” cried Volcan and gave Merlon a huge smile. Then he looked forward, raised his sword and gave the battle cry.
    With Volcan, Aerios, Humos, Beta and Merlon taking the lead, the warriors stormed down the hill and ran across the plain.
    ***
    Cherry studied her reflection sceptically. The dress that Ellie had lent her made her look much too sexy and she felt a little uncomfortable about leaving the house like this.
    “I don’t know,” she said doubtfully.