Free Rapture (Elfin Series) by Quinn Loftis Page B

into his body. As she had seen him do before, he released the glory that was his kingship and took on all of the power bestowed upon him by the Forest Lords. He seemed to grow in size and he radiated light and warmth. The murmuring that had been rippling across the crowd suddenly stopped. Cassie swore that the utter silence was so complete that everyone assembled could hear her heart beating in her chest.
    “Behold,” a deep booming voice rang out from beside Cassie. She hadn’t realized that Tamsin and Syndra had joined them. “The Forest Lords have seen fit to reappoint the rightful king over all the Elven race. He once commanded your loyalty. And we rebelled, thus driving him to his own rebellion. At that time, the Forest Lords stripped him of his royalty and exiled him. He was to remain exiled until such a time that he found the other half of his soul, his Chosen, the one being who could draw him back to the light. Such a time has come.” Tamsin paused. Cassie thought it must be for emphasis and it was working because they were riveted. She was riveted.
    “The Forest Lords have brought back our king! I give him my fealty; I pledge to him my loyalty. The Forest Lords have brought our king a mate, his appointed queen. I give her my fealty; I pledge to her my loyalty. All hail King Triktapic and Queen Cassandra!”
    Utter silence followed Tamsin ’s speech. Cassie waited with baited breath. She wondered if the elves would be able to exonerate Trik of his past or if it would forever taint his leadership.
    There was a sudden clap of thunder and clouds that had not been there moments ago began pouring across the sky. She looked up at the sky and then out at the people who looked as nervous as she felt. She glanced at Trik, but he looked as confident as ever.
    “The Forest Lords,” he murmured to her and then nodded with his head . She followed the motion and saw the crowd begin to part. She watched in awe as three beings that appeared to be made of light walked toward them. They stopped a good twenty feet away and then turned to address the crowd who immediately dropped to their knees.
    “You would bow before your c reators and humble yourselves because you are the created. And yet you will not bow before the leader your creators have given to you?”  Cassie was surprised to hear that the voice that carried out over the crowd was three separate voices, speaking in perfect unison.
    “Should we remind you of your own wicked ways? Should we outline the shortcomings of each person assembled here today? Or would you rather we forgave your insolence and loved you despite your flaws? There is an evil that is rising, a darkness that seeks to destroy anything good and pure. We have chosen Triktapic, just as we did in the beginning, to shepherd, lead, love, care for, and protect our creation—you, the Elfin race. His faults are many and his sins as numerous as the stars in the sky, but he is ours and we have humbled him and chosen to exalt him because you will need him. You will need his strength, his stubborn tenacity, and quick intelligence. You will need his queen, the woman we have given to him as his Chosen. You will need her love, her compassion, and strength of character. For before the end, you will be tested beyond what you think you can bear. Hear us now! Stand fast. Do not give in and do not let evil have a foothold. Let go of any ill will you hold in your heart and choose to move forward. Because if you do not, you will perish and your enemies will triumph.” The Forest Lords turned and faced Cassie and Trik and she felt the full force of their light. Her knees bent of their own accord and she knelt beside Trik, who also had fallen to his knees.
    “Triktapic, you have done well. Continue on in your pursuit and crush your en emy before he can destroy humankind. Cassandra, be strong and know that you were created for great things. Triktapic will need you and you will need him. Do not let anything come between