Chapter 14

Chapter

Fourteen

A t the royal elves' nods, Harald gestured for Karalyn to sit first. She did, although she did not seem to relish doing so, which he could well understand. She was a fairy, and she scarcely liked to be grounded, let alone seated.

As he gazed upon King Kerok and Queen Lassa, he did his best not to squirm. The atmosphere was just short of hostile, especially with the prince, Morlok Taldrul, glaring at him with barely concealed contempt.

He had come to Ashelin seeking an alliance, knowing full well that the elves were not easily swayed. Their pride was legendary, and their memory of slights and offenses long. To gain their favor, he would have to offer something of significant value, something that would appeal to their sense of honor and legacy.

After the shapeshifters' attack, Harald had grown incensed and driven all the more to make this alliance work no matter what it might take, and he had come up with a plan that he lacked the heart to discuss with Karalyn first. It was a desperate gamble, one he believed could turn the tide in their favor.

"Your Majesties," Harald said, his voice calm and measured as he shifted forward to sit on the edge of his chair, "I understand that our marriage has caused great offense, but I come to you with an offer that I hope will heal the rift between us and secure our future together."

The king and queen regarded him with guarded expressions, but Harald could see a flicker of curiosity in their eyes. Morlok, however, remained tense, his jaw clenched, lips pursed with displeasure.

"I propose," Harald continued, "that our future child, born of my union with Princess Karalyn, be betrothed to the heir of Prince Morlok. This union would bind our families together and ensure that our peoples are united for generations to come."

A silence fell over the room. King Kerok's eyes narrowed slightly, while Queen Lassa's expression softened, a glimmer of interest sparking in her gaze.

Harald could see the wheels turning in their minds. The idea of a marriage alliance, one that would ensure their bloodline was tied to both the fairy kingdom and the realm of the sea raiders, was a powerful one.

Beside him, Karalyn stilled. She kept her gaze straight ahead, not looking at him, her hands clenched into fists so tight that her knuckles whitened. He should have spoken to her about this the moment the thought first crossed his mind.

Why hadn't he?

Because he feared she would reject the idea forthright.

Already, he was regretting the proposal himself.

Queen Lassa leaned forward slightly. "A union of such significance would indeed strengthen the ties between our peoples. It is a proposition that shows wisdom and foresight, King Harald."

King Kerok nodded, his expression still stern but less cold than before. "It is a worthy offer," he agreed, his tone measured. "Such an alliance would bring honor to both our kingdoms."

"All three kingdoms," the queen corrected her husband smugly.

Harald felt a wave of relief wash over him, but he did not let it show. While the king and queen might be appeased, there was still one more hurdle to overcome. His gaze shifted to Morlok, who remained silent, his expression dark.

The prince's eyes narrowed, his voice laced with bitterness. "An heir?" he spat out, his voice laced with bitterness. His lips twisted into a cruel sneer. "And where, exactly, do you propose I find a wife, King Harald? Or do you expect me to conjure one from the air?"

The prince's words cut through the momentary peace like a blade.

Harald met Morlok's gaze steadily. Morlok's anger was not just about the proposed marriage. It was about his own situation—his pride wounded by Karalyn's rejection and his lack of a suitable match.

"I do not presume to dictate your choices, Prince Morlok," Harald replied evenly, "but I trust that one of your noble standing and lineage will find a suitable bride when the time comes. My offer stands, regardless of the timeline. Our child will be ready when your heir is."

Morlok's eyes flashed with something dark, and for a moment, Harald thought the prince might lash out, but then he simply smirked, turning away in a display of disdain. It was clear that the prince was not satisfied, but then, perhaps nothing would.

King Kerok's gaze shifted to his son, his expression hardening slightly. "Morlok," he said, his voice carrying the weight of command, "this is a matter of state. The future of our people requires that we look beyond personal grievances."

Morlok said nothing, his jaw tight as he stared at the floor, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

Queen Lassa placed a hand on her husband's arm, her voice soothing but firm. "The offer is a generous one, my son. It ensures the continuation of our line and strengthens our position. We will all have our roles to play in securing the future."

The prince's shoulders stiffened, but he did not argue further. Harald knew that the matter was far from resolved in Morlok's mind, but the king and queen had spoken. For now, that was enough.

Unless something should happen to the elven king and queen…

King Kerok turned back to Harald, his expression unreadable. "We will consider your proposal, King Harald. You have shown respect and understanding in this matter, and that will be taken into account."

Harald inclined his head in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I hope that we can move forward in the spirit of cooperation and mutual benefit."

The king nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "We shall see."

Harald felt the tension in his shoulders begin to ease. The proposal had appeased the king and queen, but Morlok was another matter entirely. The prince's bitterness and anger were like a storm waiting to break, and Harald knew that the path ahead was still fraught with danger.

As they were escorted from the throne room, Harald glanced at Karalyn, who met his gaze with a mixture of relief and concern.

"We've made some progress," Karalyn murmured as they walked, "but I fear Morlok will not let this go easily."

Harald nodded, his thoughts heavy. "No, he won't. We'll need to be careful, and we'll need to keep our eyes on him."

Karalyn's hand brushed his. "Whatever comes, we'll face it together."

Harald squeezed her hand gently, grateful for her strength and resolve. "Together," he agreed.

As they left the palace and stepped back into the forest, Harald couldn't shake the feeling that they had only just begun to navigate the treacherous waters of Ashelin's court. The alliance was within reach, but the cost of securing it could be the product of their union, the product of their love.

Had they doomed their future daughter or son to a life of misery with no chance of love?

Instead of returning to the longship immediately, Harald and Karalyn decided to leave the elf kingdom and continue their journey eastward. Their destination was Theriana, the mysterious and dangerous domain of the shapeshifters. While they remained wary of the shapeshifters, if they could see what they might be up to, the trek to the continent could prove fruitful on two counts instead of merely one.

The forest surrounding Ashelin was dense and ancient, with towering trees that seemed to whisper secrets from a time long past. As Harald and Karalyn moved eastward, the terrain became more rugged, the trees thicker, and the undergrowth more tangled. The air grew cooler, carrying with it a sense of foreboding.

"I hope I did not overstep," Harald murmured, glancing sideways at his wife.

She grimaced. "It was a bold proposal… audacious even… but I still cannot think of anything or anyone else we might have offered that could appease them. Still… our firstborn…"

"Much can happen between now and then," Harald said. "If Morlok never marries…"

Karalyn groaned. "He will. You know he will."

"You are not mad?"

"I am not happy about this." She bit her lower lip.

His heart sank. She was upset, more than she was willing to admit, and he could scarcely blame her.

"I am sorry?—"

She waved away his words, and her feet left the ground as she hovered above the ground a few inches, no longer walking beside him. "I understand that it is the kind of gesture that could heal old wounds and forge new bonds. I was the one to create those wounds even if I do not think Morlok wished to marry me."

"That you chose another and so quickly injured his pride."

"Precisely." She paused. "I just hated the look in his eyes. He's dangerous."

"His anger will abate."

"Doubtful."

"Once he finds love?—"

"If one the like of him is capable of finding love and returning it."

"I like to think that love has changed me," Harald said softly. "Perhaps the same can occur for him."

"Have you spoken with him just the two of you?"

"He—"

"He does not want love. He cares only for himself. I truly do not think he cares about his people. Harald, he is the kind to do as he wishes, regardless of what his rulers might think. I would not be surprised if he has been seeking his own alliances."

"He would be a fool not to."

"His agreement was far from wholehearted. He is a man used to getting what he wants, and he will never forgive me, I fear. He will not let go of his grievances easily."

"Then perhaps we should see if we cannot find a wife for him."

Karalyn stiffened. "I will not play matchmaker to him," she spat out. "There is no woman I wish to be tethered to him for the rest of her life. To think that our son or daughter will be wed to his heir… to the child he raises… I suppose my only hope is that he allows his wife or even servants to raise his heir for him. Yes, the servants might be for the best because any woman who marries him would have to be as cutthroat as he is in order to accept his hand."

"You do not think he will find a docile wife?"

"No docile woman would have him."

As they continued to head eastward, silence descended, and Harald's doubts and fears only grew, matching the greater lengths of the shadows the trees about them cast upon the ground.