Free Bound by the Mist (Mists of Eria) by Lisa Kumar

situation will go.” He sobered. “I’ll accept her because I must. But we don’t know the state of her emotional health and must proceed with care. Humans can be fragile. Regardless, we must engineer acceptance of the human woman and secure some measure of contentment for you. And thoroughly research whether she’s associated with a prophecy.”
     
    Now assured of Cal’s welcome by his father, Relian blinked as another thought assailed him. That had seemed a little too easy. What was his father up to?
    ***
    Relian tried to relax his posture as he watched the door. After two weeks of deliberation, his father had decided to call a council to session. This special gathering would be the first to know of his binding.
    Though ambivalent about the whole affair, he recognized they couldn’t hide such news for long. Especially from perceptive elves who had centuries and more to hone their skill. All pretense of a polite smile slid off his face. He didn’t enjoy the notion of a skill he prided himself on being used against him and sat up even straighter when the council members and advisors started to filter into the room. The breakfast he’d eaten churned in his stomach. Everyone would soon know how his life was about to change.
    His father sat in the seat of honor, an ornately carved chair of wood with scenes of nature depicted. Relian sat to the right of him, as was his duty and right through not only blood but for the leadership he provided to their people.
    At that moment, Kenhel strode into the room. Flashing a smile, he asked one of the councilors who sat next to Relian if he could have that seat. After the councilor complied, Kenhel sprawled into the chair. He grinned impishly. “Surprised to see me? I wouldn’t have missed this for all the eivain in the world.”
    Relian gave a barely audible snort. As a commander, Kenhel was a “sometimes” member of the council and participated in meetings when time allowed. Unfortunately, Kenhel seemed to participate only to increase his torture. “Why would you? You’ve many millennia to flirt with them, no such bribe could keep you away.”
    His easy smile remained. “I’m not sure if that was a compliment, but I’ll take it as one. I’m glad you have such faith in my abilities to achieve such a staggering number.”
    “It’s not so much faith in your abilities of persuasion as it’s faith in your blind persistence.”
    “Ah, but persistence cracks the most wary heart.”
    “And sometimes lips.” Relian’s lips twitched, but he quickly suppressed any farther motion.
    Kenhel laughed outright. “That, too. Smiling lips are much easier to flirt with and mayhap even steal a kiss from.”
    Relian said nothing more as other chief advisors and councilors closed rank around them, leaving a remainder of the chairs in the circle open for lower-ranking officials.
    Once all members seated themselves, Talion addressed his court. “You have my gratitude for responding to my messengers with all due haste. My good lords and ladies, you probably wonder why you are all here for a last-minute assemb…."
    Even though his father spoke, his words faded away until Relian only heard a soft murmur.
    “Relian, your hand, please.”
    The king's request intruded on Relian's consciousness. He blinked, becoming aware of his surroundings.
    He swallowed thickly. Though he’d suspected that his father would support him in such a manner, nothing had prepared him for this moment. But he had to see this through. The king's open affirmation of what was to come would help to somewhat smooth the path for Relian in the face of any opposition. Not that many would be brave enough to express but the briefest of doubts to either of them, but they wanted to curtail as many possible rumors as possible.
    His father also made the assumption that while the veil unfortunately sought a human to bring to their world, it must have good reason to do so. He didn't believe that the magic forming the veil, the