Elda Evervale
Hawke Silverpine was my mate. It still didn’t feel real, despite my earlier confidence and announcement.
Emotions roiled through me like a pending storm while I waited in my room, not wanting to be the first one to arrive at dinner. Even though he was with Prince Orion, I could still feel the connection through the bond. The twisting branches seemed rooted in my own chest, and I knew that for as long as I lived, the feeling of his heart echoing through the bond would be the compass I navigated the world to.
I thought of what I knew of my mate. He was a dragon kin with the power of fire. His skin had been hot, and when our bond had collided, I had felt the deep well of strength that rivaled my own pool of magic. He was dedicated to Prince Orion, as evidenced by his refusal to leave the prince without an escort. He was shy, and had the most striking amber eyes I’d ever seen.
My knowledge of Hawke was pitifully small. That was okay. We had the rest of our lives together.
Behind me, I heard the door open and I turned, surprised to see my father standing there. He was wearing his ceremony finery, the dark green robe was belted at his waist with a deep brown sash with golden embroidery. His posture was straight, his impressive six-point antlers held high, but I could see the wrinkle around his dark brown eyes. He was worried.
That just wouldn’t do.
I gave him a wide smile and moved forward to hug him. “Daddy,” I said in greeting, pressing my face into his chest. He wrapped his strong arms around me, his sweet honey scent surrounding me. For a moment, I was a child again, and the feeling warmed away the last of my trepidation.
“My little catkin,” he replied, his deep voice rumbling against my cheek.
I pulled back, hoping to see the worry gone from his eyes. It had only deepened and I felt my smile faltering.
“We do not know this kin that is your new mate.” He brushed a stray hair from my face. “And a simple guard to the Wolf Clan? How will he take care of you?”
“Alda chose him for me, Father.” I took a deep breath, knowing that this conversation would not be the last one, if I didn’t handle this correctly. “She wouldn’t have chosen someone that is a bad match.”
He sighed and took my hands in his larger ones. “Alda does not care for the worries of mortals. She chooses someone that you are compatible with, yes, but not always someone that is capable of caring for you the way you should be cared for.”
“Father, I am a Princess of Rowanstag.” I smiled up at him, trying to portray my confidence. “Our people will always care for me. My status has given me lands already, along with a lovely estate that I haven’t spent nearly enough time in. Hawke can fit in there, or he can continue his contract with Prince Orion, if the prince doesn’t release him. We have an entire lifetime to get to know each other, Father.”
“What if he is cruel to you? The dragon kin are known for hoarding their treasures. What if he keeps you from us?” His voice held a tremor, and I squeezed his fingers, hoping to instill some of the confidence I carried in my chest into him.
“Alda would not have chosen someone that would hurt me.”
“You have twenty-eight days before the bond solidifies. Promise me, that if he does anything that is dangerous, you will break it.”
“What?” I hadn’t even considered breaking the bond.
“Promise me, catkin.” His tone was so serious, so earnest, that I couldn’t stop myself from nodding.
I had no intention of breaking the bond with Hawke. Even now, I could feel its steady hum in my heart, reassuring me that all was well. It was so strong, so vibrant, that the idea of letting it go felt more than wrong. I wanted to protect it with all that I had, not break it.
“I trust Alda, but I trust you too, Daddy. If this relationship is dangerous to us, I will end it, if I can.” The words seemed wrong on my lips, but I was a Princess of Rowanstag. I did not think that Hawke could be a danger to us. Nothing about the gentle, awkward male I’d met beneath the alder tree suggested he could become a danger, but if I thought it would compromise our community, only then could I force myself to end it.
“Daddy, please tell me you’re not trying to scare Elda into submission.” Willow’s voice surprised us, and we both turned to the door. She crossed into the room, moving straight to me and giving me a large embrace. She was alone, and I wondered if our mother and her mate had gone on ahead to the banquet.
“He’s giving me congratulations,” I replied, hugging her back. “And a little bit of advice. I’m new to this bonding business, after all.”
“Threats. He’s giving you threats,” she corrected, turning to look up at our father. “You haven’t spoken a word to this male yet. He might be the perfect kin for my little sister. Don’t stress her out before she’s gotten a chance to get to know him.”
Father smiled, holding up his hands in acknowledgement. “She is my youngest. I can’t help but feel protective.”
“Now that this is out of the way, let’s go to dinner. Every auntie in Rowanstag wants to see your face and meet your mate.”
Willow grabbed my hand and pulled me along after her. I couldn’t help the smile and the excitement bubbling in my chest. I wanted to see Hawke again. I still needed to ask him what type of music he liked.
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