Free Bound to the Elvin King by Lisa Kumar

barrier in great numbers today. Not a mere one or two scouts, as is common. A whole band of them were roaming close to Eriannon.”
    The air in Maggie’s lungs turned to shards of ice. Those freaky monster things who used to be elves were on the loose?
    Talion stroked his chin. “Have they been routed?”
    “We met many in battle.” Ravin paused and bit his lip. “The rest scattered and are being hunted down.”
    “Sounds like this may have been a deliberate plan on their part.”
    “That’s what Commander Kenhel said.”
    “Avrin, let me see the commander’s report.” He held out a hand, and Avrin placed a folded piece of parchment within it.
    Talion quickly unfolded it and scanned the missive. “The report says much the same thing. We also had two casualties. This is troubling news, indeed.” The parchment floated, forgotten, to his lap.
    She frowned. So, what would be done about the darkindred? Were they going to discuss the situation to death before they did anything? Impatience thrummed through her body. She was a quick answers kind of gal, and elves seemed to move in perpetually slow motion. At least when it came to decision making.
    “So, what are you going to do?” Everybody stared at her, and she froze. Damn, had she just spoken out loud? What a fantastic queen she’d make. She couldn’t even control her runaway mouth. Talion was insane if he thought she could pull the whole royal thing off.
    “Why, my dear, you decided to take an active part in this discussion? What do you suggest?” Talion’s voice drawled.
    Heat rose over her cheeks. His endearment sounded anything but affectionate. No worries about people discovering their bond this way. That should make her happy, but the heaviness in her chest hinted otherwise.
    She shrugged with a faked air of nonchalance. “Just want to make sure you have a plan.”
    “Am I to understand you care about the people of Eria?” A pronounced glint of something—maybe smugness—shone in his eyes.
    “Sure. I’m not heartless.”
    “No, you’d never want to be guilty of it.”
    The innuendo in his voice caused her to stiffen. What could she say to that? He headed off all her witty retorts like a concrete barricade. But she had to think of something. She couldn’t let this challenge go unanswered.
    A perfect quip came to her. “Only to people who deserve it.”
    His mouth tightened. “I can see that.”
    Relian leaned forward and appeared to be trying to catch his father’s gaze before he said, “We need a decided course of action in regards to the darkindred.”
    Talion nodded. “We’ll call in the garrisons from around the land. The darkindred wants war. We’ll give it to them.”
    At his fervent words, a chill skittered up her back. War. It was such a major step. But what choice did Talion have? While she preferred pacifism to warmongering, she knew there came a time to fight.
    As Talion opened the floor to his assorted councilors and advisors, they argued and offered up their own opinions on how to carry out a conflict. The cacophony of voices buzzed in Maggie’s ears. That, along with the idea of actually being stuck in a land at combat, caused her to zone out. She didn’t belong here and going home had never sounded so good. But it might not be an option.
    During the whole ordeal, Avrin’s gaze weighed on her. Did he suspect something? Knowing how that smart brain of his worked, he sure had to be putting all the clues together. And Relian wasn’t much better. Damn all smart people. They were trouble.
    Tension tightened her chest, and she rubbed at her forehead. The mother of all headaches was settling between her eyes. Yeah, this was going to be a lovely day.

Chapter 5
     
     
    Talion watched the last of the councilors trickle out of the room. Relian turned away from the door at the last moment and sent him a piercing glance that promised questions. Many of them. Fortunately, his son spun back around and left. So, he not only had a visit