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

by Elise Kova

There are only two reasons why the elves come to our world: war or wives. In either case, they come for death. They come today.

What a way to start the story!!!🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

“Now you at least look like a queen. You could even fool the court if you don’t open your mouth.” “Excuse me?” “I heard every last curse word as I tamed your mane. Half of them I didn’t even know, and I’ve been in the barracks since I was seven. Come along.”

“Queens should float, not walk like a horse.” So he’s allowed to make remarks but I’m not? I tilt my head to the side, pressing my lips shut in a firm line. He smirks, understanding my silent game. “Good, I’ll take the horse. At least they’re silent.” I whinny to spite him and I think I see his eye twitch.

😂😂😂

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.

I stagger to my feet. “We’re done.” “Come back,” he demands. “We are done when I say we are.” I begin walking toward the door. His footsteps clop across the hall. Now who is the horse?

🤣🤣🤣

“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.

“You are my antithesis, Luella. You are the queen of life.” “And you are the king of death,”

It’s as if with every caress my magic activates, eager to respond to him, as if my power could arc from me to him. “Do you feel it? Gathering within you? A wellspring of life waiting to be unleashed?” “I…” I feel something, all right.

Our power is connected, but we see that power differently. And because we understand it differently, the power functions uniquely for each of us. I see life. He sees death. Two sides of the same coin. Two halves that require the other to exist.

“To this world. To the next. To the people we meet between and the bonds we share.”

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

We smell of honey and taste of forgotten dreams. We move like desperation.

“Was it enough?” I rasp. “It was enough. You are more than enough.”

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

May tomorrow hold every possibility. And may we be bold and hungry enough to take them for our own.”

In that moment, we exist beyond time. We exist for every king and queen who came before us as the treaty is fulfilled in more than name. The redwood and iron thrones are finally united once more.

Every word is like a physical wound, cutting me deeper than I thought possible. I’m shocked the floor isn’t bloody.

“Darling one…” She wraps an arm around my shoulders. “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.”