Taken by the Dark Elf King (Monstrous Mates, #1)

by Charlotte Swan

“Our king has been advised that he has lived in solitude for too long. And in that spirit, he too believes our two people have been separated long enough—” “And whose fault is that? Not ours,” Garren grounds out. My father cuts him a sharp, silencing look. “Yes,” the visitor continues, “the War and those infernal Orcs who claimed the lives of our king’s beloved parents blinded him. He knows now that it was grief and loss that caused him to be so harsh. He wishes to use this night as the first step in repairing bonds between our two kingdoms.”

“No matter what you see. No matter what you hear. Nothing in Myrkorvin is as it appears.”

“You want a throne?” “That is what I said.” I run my finger along the throne. It is as sharp as broken glass, the rubies cool to the touch. “No. That is not tradition.” “It’s not traditional to take a light elf bride.” I look at him over my shoulder. “Are you a king that picks and chooses what rules he wishes to follow as they suit him?”

“I am sure you would welcome time away from me. A monster has claimed you as his bride, he is not so cruel that he demands you stay with him every night for all of eternity.”

Princess Elveena may just be the death of me. Or worse. The one thing that will make the beast inside of me come out to play. If that happens, I do not think I’ll have the strength to force him back into his cage.

“She would say that love has the power to do anything. My father taught her that, and he made sure that I understood to love something and to let it go was to lose it forever. That is why my mother prayed that I would be saved when so many told her to give up hope on me.”

“But I am a monster, Elvie. You don’t belong here, but I am too selfish to let you go. I’ll kill anyone who tries to take you from me.”

“You don’t believe I am your mate?” “I don’t believe I am that lucky.” I laugh and swat his arm. “Well, believe it.”