Pretense (Elven Alliance, #5)

by Tara Grayce

“Of course I will see you. You do not count as people.” He grinned and pressed a light kiss to her temple. “That would sound insulting if I didn’t know it’s a compliment coming from you.” Essie grinned back.

“Farrendel, my love, why do I only have two pieces of bacon? I know Miss Merrick always gives us three.” Farrendel gave her that mischievous smile again. “It was getting cold and needed to be eaten.” Essie gave him another fake glare. “It’s a good thing you’re handsome.”

Conforming to elven society had never been much of a problem. Except, it seemed, when it came to falling in love.

What was a spy supposed to do when he no longer had a job? Paperwork, apparently.

“Maybe this can be our chance to end things better than we did. We can use this fake courtship to figure out how to be just friends.” “I hope you realize how ridiculous that sounds.”

Essie knelt on the floor in a cluster of children, her fingers and arms covered in paint as she worked on a finger painting. It was supposed to be Ellonahshinel, but apparently trying to capture the beauty of the elven treetop city was a little much for finger paint, especially with Essie’s lack of artistic skills.

But Jalissa had seen the wild light in Farrendel’s eyes. Either both of them survived, or neither of them would. Jalissa would lose both her little brother and the sister who had become very close to her, closer than her own sister was at the moment.

“She is not dying.” Rheva’s gentle smile lifted into something brighter. “She is expecting.” Farrendel blinked, his head still muddy. “Expecting what?” Rheva made a sound between a laugh and a sigh. “She is not expecting kittens, shashon. A baby.”

“I suppose it would be best if I leaned against you. For our disguise.” “Yes. Our disguise. That’s the only reason.” He let himself relax with a chuckle and lifted his arm. Inviting her but waiting for her to make the first move. “So glad my shoulder is preferable over grime-covered bricks.” “Do not flatter yourself. Your shoulder is the lesser of two unpalatable options.” She held his gaze with a pretend frosty look for a moment before a hint of a smile played around her mouth. “Ouch. Right in the ego.”

“I wouldn’t trade you and what we have together for anything, especially not for something as fleeting as physical safety.”

“You’re going to hover obnoxiously while I’m pregnant, aren’t you?” “Of course.” Farrendel grinned, the somber look finally fading from his eyes. “I might even manage to be more suffocating about it than Weylind.” Essie laughed, then kept laughing because it felt so good. “You know, I think you might.”

for anyone else to hear. “Is being a spy always this boring?” Edmund’s grin flashed, barely visible beneath the hood of his cloak. “The thing about being a spy is that, if things aren’t boring, then you didn’t do your job right.”

At the top, Edmund held up a hand. “Wait here a moment. I’ll scout the place first. If I’m not back in five minutes, assume the assassins got me.” “I do not think this is a joking matter.” Jalissa frowned at him, but somehow she could not put any actual anger into the words. “I’m not kidding. Not entirely.” Edmund’s grin quirked his mouth. “I would appreciate a rescue if I stumble across a pack of Mongavarian spies hiding in there.” “We might consider it.” Jalissa attempted to look stern. “If you scream loud enough.”

Edmund pointed to his shoulder, his gaze soft. “You can lean on me.” Jalissa blinked, frozen as she processed that. She could lean on him. Not just as a pillow, though the freedom to snuggle with him for real and not just for show sent her head swirling with a giddy feeling. But he was safe and strong and someone she could trust with her heart.

Yet, as they sped across the water, his gaze focused on Jalissa rather than the view of the brown river reflecting the tree-covered banks and the glowing sunset shining orange and gold to the west. The breeze tossed her hair while a smile lit her face in a way he had rarely seen. Hers was such a practical magic. Not flashy or eye-catching, yet awe-inspiring all the same. Perfect for Jalissa.

It seems I can’t help flirting with you even when I know better. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have.”

Finally, Weylind sighed and faced Farrendel. “Babies are easy. Remember that. It is when they start to think themselves all grown up that parenting becomes difficult.”

He was hers. Her heart knew it. And now her head did too.

Behind Essie, Farrendel’s face went white, as Edmund had known it would. He probably shouldn’t tease Farrendel, but it was just too easy sometimes.

I believe Weylind has given up in weary resignation.” “Don’t you mean grumpy resignation?” “It does come across that way.”