A Deal with the Elf King (Married to Magic, #1)

by Elise Kova

“Our work is what we do, not who we are.

“I want to take you away and spend time with you, and only you, Luella. Surely, you know…I’ve loved you for a long time.”

Yes, I knew. And I love him too. I love him enough that I dreamed of this moment.

love you too.” As soon as I get the words out, sensation returns.

“I’ve loved you since I was a child.” “Then run away with me, Luella.”

“If you love me, truly love me, then that’s all you need. Our love is enough.”

Sorry to brake it to u but love doesn't keep u alive

her role as queen was merely to exist.”

The Elf King’s face, ethereal, handsome, youthful, as hard as diamonds, is as handsome as it is terrifying. He is like a poisonous flower—stunning and deadly. This, I realize as his eyes flash an even brighter blue, is the face of death.

“Love is choice,”

“You—you wanted to own me. You wanted to keep me for yourself regardless of how I may have felt. You never even allowed me to make the decision on my own and now our town, our people, have suffered because of your selfishness.

“You bastard.” I rip myself from his person once more. Damn his Fade. Damn the wedding. Damn men who think they can manipulate me down an aisle.

“Some people can never be hidden; they are meant to be seen.”

He sighs, as if the conversation is quickly becoming tedious. Too bad for him I don’t care about being a pain. I care about answers.

“I don’t have friends,” he says faintly. Others may interpret the tone as cool indifference. But I hear a hurt I don’t yet understand drifting through his words.

“King Eldas.

“Who are you?” I murmur to the woman staring back at me. I don’t know this woman whose dress is more put together than her life. I’m accustomed to having things under control. I’ve always had a plan—from childhood to academy.

I spent years pining over that pathetic man who did nothing but make me feel inept and weak—who tried to cage my abilities.

If I never think of love again it will be too soon. Everything Luke did because of “love” affirms every reason why I knew it was a bad idea to involve myself with him—with anyone. Love is a dangerous distraction from duty.

Get a hold of yourself, Luella. He may be the most attractive man I’ve ever laid eyes on. He may also technically be my husband…but he resents this marriage as much as I do.

“Don’t insult me again,” I say firmly. “You know nothing about me. You don’t know what I’ve done, what I’ve fought for, what I earned. I spent years studying, learning, and practicing at the expense of wanting anything for myself. I earned the respect of my community and patients enough that they gave me their hard-earned money to get an education so I might better serve them.

“My life might not have looked like much to someone who came from a grand castle. But you know what, Your Majesty?” I sneer. “I worked for what I had and worked every day to keep it—to keep the esteem, respect, and trust of my community. I worked for it because it was what I chose for myself. “You know nothing about me and yet you insult me at every turn. Fine, two can play that game, Your Majesty. What did you do to earn this castle? Be born? What have you done for your community? Breathe? Forgive me for not being impressed with your grand sacrifices.”

“If you’re always walking above people you risk walking on them, Eldas. And that’s how you make enemies.” “I won’t be lectured by a human who entered my world days ago. And certainly not by one who has never ruled a day in her life.” “Good,” I say. “Because I have no interest in lecturing a man who won’t listen.” I spin on my heel and start for the door again. Blessedly, he doesn’t follow. “You will respect me!” Eldas shouts. “Be someone worthy of respecting first!” I slam the door behind me.

“No,” Eldas says sharply. “You truly think so little of me?” “You haven’t given me a lot of reasons to think positively of you,” I admit.

My point exactly

She had been heartbroken by the thought of leaving her king’s side, even in death.

“I am not made for dreams. I am made to rule.” “I think you’re made for whatever you want to be.”

“We… I…” He breathes heavily. Then, without warning, Eldas steps away. There’s panic in his eyes and fear in his movements. “You’re leaving.” “I’m right here.” I reach for him; all better judgment has left me. “No, you’re leaving Midscape. Leaving me. We… I can’t.” The truth sobers us both. “I must go.” “Eldas—”

“He was worried about the city across the Fade not having its healer after you left, or that’s what Grandmother told me. It seems a bit odd, if you ask me. I’ve never heard of a king sending aid to your side.”

SHUT TF UP AAAA

“You look like a goddess,”

“I would not change a single thing about you, Luella.”

“I’m used to the cold.” He chuckles darkly. “Ice king, they’ve called me.” “Good thing you have a fire queen, then.”

This is a dream, I begin to tell myself. It’s a beautiful dream that I will, eventually, wake from. But for now, I will enjoy it. I will delight in the lush gardens, the wild overgrown brush, and the magic that seems to hang as happily in the air as the eager pollinators buzzing from flower to flower.

“Kill the thoughts of tomorrow. Let’s live for today.”

“Kiss me again,” I demand breathlessly. “Kiss me like you did that night in the castle. Let’s give in to this waking dream, Eldas.”

“No,”

“I will not kiss you like I did then.”

“I will kiss you better.”

I want him to kiss me. Now. Here. Forever.

“What do you feel for me?”

“You never answered that either,”

“If you asked, then you may have some kind of idea of what I might feel.” Eldas gathers his height. “But I want to know about you, Luella. What do you feel for me? Do you love me?”

Every pore, every raw part of my essence screams, yes! But my lips don’t move. They quiver silently and my eyes burn. Yes, say yes, Luella. But if ...

“Tell me now or I will wash my hands of you for good.” How can I make him understand? “Eldas, I—” “Yes or no, do you love me?” His voice raises a fraction.

“No. Of course not. Who could?” He chuckles sadly and shakes his head. “I already suspected you didn’t, given the secrets you chose to keep.”

Done and gone. He wants to wash his hands of me.

“Then I will grant you passage through the Fade,” he says slowly, “and hope that you never return.”

The first queen stayed with her king. I left mine.

With all eyes on me, I turn and run.

“Every child must eventually leave. Sometimes, it is to a house down the street. Other times, it is to somewhere very

far away. But if that child ends up where they belong, and are happy and loved…that’s all a parent wants.”

Her words sting in a nostalgic sort of way. It’s the same feeling as when summer ends for a child, the same feeling I had when I looked at my old room. It hurts because of how h...