3. Cassie

3

CASSIE

I sprawled on the couch, half a dozen pillows jammed under my back. Still wearing my comfy cotton pajamas, covered in kittens chasing butterflies, I had my laptop balanced precariously on my knees.

The screen glowed with a dozen open tabs, each one a rabbit hole leading deeper into the labyrinth of wedding planning. Each contained information on providers from florists to photographers. My job was comparing the prices and styles. To do it right, planning a wedding required meticulousness that bordered on obsessiveness.

"Outdoor or indoor? Buffet or plated? How many entree options?" I muttered into the notes app on my phone. "Classical quartet or DJ?"

The question transported me back to another time, another set of decisions. I'd thought they led to my happily ever after. The image of Franklin, my ex-husband, flashed across my mind.

Acid climbed out of my stomach.

"Damn it," I hissed, slamming the laptop shut for a moment. The anger surged like a tidal wave, threatening to drag me under. The memory of him, standing at the altar, making promises he hadn't planned to keep, clawed at my insides.

I inhaled slowly, forcing the hot tide of rage back into its mental box. This wasn't about me. Opening the laptop again, I refused to let the ghost of betrayal derail me.

Focus, Cassie. "This will be the best wedding ever. I have a goal." Imagining her reaction if I went overboard soothed my raw nerves. Shay had offered to help defray the costs. Bran had told me to spend as I wished. I could make this the wedding to top. The room was silent except for my chuckle. Oh, this could be fun!

Scrolling through caterers' websites, I paused at each menu, trying to imagine what would please an audience far from ordinary. "Exotic fruit for the vampires, obviously," I muttered, making a note on a sticky pad. Tanni had told me that they very much enjoyed fruits. "Something raw for the shifters... What kind of tartare would be best?"

I clicked on a site with an array of exotic dishes, wondering what if any dietary restrictions trolls had. From what little comment Shay made, I'd gotten the impression Martellus' people enjoyed strong flavors. One dish boasted a spicy inferno sauce that seemed interesting visually and in its taste.

"That might just work," I murmured, picturing the flames. Would they find it kitschy or perfect? I added it to the list anyway; this was a brainstorming session.

"Let's see, for the fae folk... go the ironic route and serve them something light and ethereal?" I drummed my fingers on the table, thinking. "A salad with edible flowers, maybe some honey vinaigrette?" That sounded right. They were all hunting and meat.

"So many different peoples," I sighed, shaking my head. Who knew planning a menu for such a diverse crowd would be like navigating a culinary minefield? But I'd make it happen. I could do this.

The chime of the doorbell snapped me out of my focus. I glanced at the clock; it was only midmorning. Shuffling to the door in my pajamas, I peeked at the security camera feed. Aiden stood on my doorstep, his silver-blonde hair like a halo in the sunlight, a faint smile on his lips.

I opened the door, ready to send him on his way. Wait, I'd said I wanted to talk to the elf earlier. Him coming so fast probably meant trouble somewhere.

"Good morning, Cassie," he greeted, his low voice smooth as silk.

"Morning," I replied curtly, crossing my arms. "Is there trouble?"

"I'm answering your request to talk. I believe I have a solution to some of our problems. Your role as a liaison isn't official," Aiden began, stepping into my living space uninvited. "You must stand before the king with me and have him affirm it. The current agreement is solely between us."

"Great, more red tape. Anything else?" I asked, my tone sharp. I didn't like the fact that I found him attractive.

"Elven customs dictate that for any service requested, a bargain must be struck. We do not offer aid without reciprocation." He held my gaze, his own aloof but somehow challenging.

"Is that so? And what exactly will you get out of helping me chase down your unruly elves?" I asked, irritation flaring.

"Amusement," he said simply, lips curling at the edges.

"Good to know." I controlled the urge to tap my fingers impatiently against my leg. A question about the upcoming wedding occurred to me. "For future reference, does that cover gifts? Do those come with strings attached too?"

"Gifts are objects given freely, not services. They are separate matters entirely," Aiden clarified, a hint of condescension lacing his words.

"Right. When do we leave to see the king to make this whole thing official?" I asked.

"As soon as you are ready." Aiden spread his fingers in the direction of my pajamas. "You might want to prepare yourself for the journey."

"Give me a minute," I muttered, a mix of annoyance and curiosity flickering within me. It would be a good break from the endless tabs of wedding plans, freshening my mind.

Changing quickly into sturdy chinos and a scoop neck red top, I pulled my hiking boots out of the closet and laced them on. Grabbing the bag that matched the top, I was back out in the living room in record time. I dropped my phone and wallet into the bag and then raised an eyebrow in Aiden's direction.

Aidan extended his hand toward me. For the flicker of my hesitation, I studied his face — the sharpness of his jawline, the intensity of his blue eyes, and something else... a friendly warmth I hadn't expected from him. So, I took his hand.

Instantly, tingle spread through my fingers, up my arm, and enveloped my entire being. I glanced down in awe as my bronze skin shimmered with a thousand tiny lights, like I was dusted with stars. "What's this?"

"Magic," Aidan said calmly. "It will protect you as we pass through Dream to Alfheim."

"Feels... nice," I admitted reluctantly, not wanting to know I didn't know much on this topic.

"Watch closely now," he instructed, and his gaze lifted to focus on something I couldn't see. The air before us began to swirl, an intricate dance of colors that mesmerized me. It twisted and turned, forming a vortex that reminded me of what an unsecured silk scarf did on my shoulders when caught in a gust of wind.

And then the colors parted.

Through the veil, a thick mist greeted us, rolling and shifting as if alive. We stepped forward together, and the mist clung to my skin, cool and damp. When it finally cleared, a dense forest loomed around us, trees reaching high into glimpses of a sky that seemed both foreign and familiar.

"Is this Alfheim?" I asked, looking around.

"Yes," Aidan replied. "Welcome to my world."

I stepped forward, details of the forest materializing around me as if painted by an invisible brush. The tree's leaves formed a mosaic of vivid greens that seemed too vibrant to be real. Moss carpeted the ground, and somewhere in the distance, a brook babbled its secrets to the stones. The sound was almost musical.

"Does Alfheim always look like this?" I asked. Wonder had crept into my mind despite my best efforts.

Aidan strode beside me, glancing at the canopy above. "It forms to meet the expectations of those who enter. You expected a forest, so Alfheim provided. I blame those movies that people still watch, to be honest."

"Interesting," I muttered, taking in the seamless way the world seemed to bend to my subconscious whims.

"Indeed. And it also falls to us, the elves, to deal with the Formless ones. They are akin to us in essence," Aidan added, a note of solemnity creeping into his usually light tone.

"Formless Ones?" I echoed. I'd heard about the enemy, of course, the creatures who possessed Franklin with his consent after he was exiled from earth by my sister. Not from this source though, and the more I knew about them the better the whole of us could fight them.

"They are creatures of pure magic, without fixed shape or form. A sort of... cousin to our kind," he explained, and I sensed there was much left unsaid.

We continued walking. My stomach rumbled, and my thoughts drifted to more mundane matters. "So, how do you farm here? Or is it a strictly carnivore diet? I know you like to hunt."

Aidan shook his head, the light stroking his blond hair. It was like this place loved him, which knowing Dream could manifest in a human form, I wasn't going to rule out. "No farms. Here, we conjure what we desire directly from the ether. Food, clothing, shelter—all is but a thought away. Which, since it requires no effort, makes it without any real value."

"Must be nice," I replied. It sounded too good to be true, a life where your every want could materialize out of thin air. His comment about value made me wonder what drove the elves, since they had a paradise here.

"Indeed, it is one of the virtues of Alfheim," Aidan said. There was a trace of an emotion I couldn't identify in his tone that made me look over at him. He returned my attention with a half-smile, the kind that said he knew exactly what I was thinking.

We pressed on, the forest floor soft beneath my feet, the light from above filtered into a dance of shadows and sunbeams. Silence that had settled between us, strange but comfortable as we walked.

I put my finger on something nagging at me. There were no sounds of insects here.

The path curved, trending down, and Aiden paused as I hopped over an artistically fallen log. "Something that puzzled me about Earth is how so many people can't pursue the tasks they enjoy but have to work instead. Even though there is enough wealth and enough resources to do exactly that."

I snorted, the sound harsher than I intended. "Yeah, it sucks." My mind flitted to the countless hours I'd spent at less than fulfilling jobs, when Repupair had first started and Franklin all but ran it into the ground. I'd supported us both.

He looked at me, his head tilted, curiosity lighting up his face. "What would you do if you were free? Truly free?"

I stopped walking and leaned against a tree, considering the question. I thought about the wedding plans sprawled across my living room table, the checklists, and first drafts of vendor contracts. "Honestly? Probably what I'm doing now, planning this insane wedding for Roma." I shrugged. "It's for my sister and that makes it worth it."

"Tell me, what tasks does this entail?" He seemed genuinely intrigued.

"Where do I start?" I ticked off on my fingers. "Catering, venue, music, invitations, floral arrangements, dress fittings, not to mention a dozen other things. Oh, and wrangling celebrity egos." I raised an eyebrow at him. "And then there's running after your people to make sure they don't create a disaster just for fun."

Aidan's expression flickered from interest to a look of bewilderment. "That sounds like... an impressive amount of responsibility. Though I don't really know what most of it entails."

"Story of my life." I laughed, then straightened and headed down the path. "But, if I could conjure up a five-tier wedding cake in five types of chocolate with a vegan counterpart with only a wave of my hand, I wouldn't be complaining it has no worth."

"Perhaps by the end of this, you might," he said, a considering expression on his face.

I let that comment lie. I didn't want to know, I had too much on my plate.

The forest became a grassy hill, the line separating them as sharp as if a ruler had drawn it.

On the rise of a hill stood a palace carved from white marble that gleamed like a beacon against the backdrop of the verdant landscape. It was massive, its spires stretching skyward, each one tipped with what looked like gold, catching the sun in a dazzling display. Even with all Aiden had said about how easy it was to make things here, the beauty of it demanded my appreciation.

"Wow," slipped from my lips before I could catch it.

Aiden, walking beside me, gave a small, proud smile. "I like this version too."

As we approached the grandeur of the elven architecture, a group of people on horses rode to meet us. The elves were imposing, decked in armor that seemed to ripple with an unseen force, their expressions stern and unreadable. Their big horses snorted, their hooves pawing at the ground before they too shimmered with that same uncanny energy.

I'd seen this before. Martellus called a gathering like this a warband and flatly said they were dangerous, to leave them be if I ever encountered elves like this.

"Lord Aiden." One of the warriors bowed from horseback.

"Commander," Aiden nodded back with a respectful tilt of his head. "Riding out? What threat?"

"Formless Ones pushing at the border." The commander's attention flicked to me briefly, a flash of curiosity there and gone. "Who is this?"

"Cassie," Aiden said, motioning toward me. "She's here to confirm her position as liaison with the King."

"Human?" The elf's eyebrow arched in surprise, but he offered a curt nod. "Welcome."

"Thanks," I managed, feeling out of my depth but not willing to show it.

With a salute, the commander turned his mount, and the entire company of elves followed suit. In a matter of seconds, they spurred their horses into a gallop, and as if they were made of mist, they dissolved into nothingness, leaving only the clear sky above us.

"Did they just...?" I pointed upwards, incredulous.

"Vanish? Yes," Aiden confirmed, his attention returning to the palace. "We have ways of traveling fast when we need to."

"Handy trick," I muttered under my breath, thinking of how convenient it would have been to fade away from problems back home over the years.

"Come," Aiden said, beckoning me forward. "Let's not keep my father waiting."

"Right, because that's not intimidating at all." I kept pace with him. Anxiety prickled through me. What was elven royalty like? I'd asked once and both Bran and Martellus had groaned as if dealing with them was a horrible burden, but never said why. Squaring my shoulders I projected confidence. Whatever came next, I could deal with it.

The grand arched entrance of the palace, a marvel of opulence, made me pause to marvel at it. The walls were lined with vivid tapestries, the scenes on them so realistic I felt I could touch the horses and feel the warmth under my fingertips. The floors gleamed as if they'd been polished just seconds ago. Yet, as I looked around, not a single person—servant or otherwise—could be seen maintaining the impeccable state of the place.

"Where is everyone?" Echoes mocked my words. "Who cleans all this?"

Aiden glanced back at me, his expression amused. "Magic takes care of the mundane tasks here. No servants are needed for such things."

"Magic for housekeeping. How convenient." I muttered more to myself than to him, imagining how different life would be if I could just wave away dirt and clutter.

"It is. Energy is saved for other pursuits." Innuendo wrapped the words as he gave me a long look, traveling from my boots to my face.

I blinked back at him and gave him a polite but puzzled expression. That had been spectacularly unsubtle.

Aiden laughed. I couldn't help my smile at the sound, and he offered me his arm. Taking it, I continued in silence until we reached massive double doors carved with intricate geometric designs that shifted and moved as I stared.

"Don't stare at them too long, they can have strange effects on humans," Aiden murmured as he pushed them open without effort, and we stepped into the throne room.

The ceiling was lost somewhere above us, hidden by the soft blue light filtering down. On a dais at the far end of the room, an elf lounged who bore a striking facial resemblance to Aiden. He slouched on the throne, one leg draped over the armrest, looking thoroughly bored. As we approached, his posture shifted, and he stood up so quickly it was as if he'd been jolted awake by an unseen current.

"Aiden!" he exclaimed, his face brightening with a smile that transformed his entire demeanor.

"Father," Aiden responded, and they embraced briefly—a gesture that seemed to carry genuine affection.

I stood awkwardly to the side, taking in the familial scene and wondering what sort of politics played out in these halls. Or if elves bothered with politics.

Chaotic as they seemed to be, why did they even have a king?

The two of them broke apart, turning towards me. My heart thumped in my chest, but I clamped down on my nerves. It was not the time to be nervous.

"May I present Cassandra Quinn," Aiden said, gesturing toward me.

"Cassie, this is our King, Sloane Brighthand."

The king fixed his attention on me. Like Aiden, his eyes were a piercing blue, like looking into the heart of an eternal glacier. Cold and heavy and old, his gaze made my anxiety perk right up. A flicker of curiosity lightened his gaze before he offered a nod that seemed to convey both welcome and assessment in equal measure.

"An honor," I replied, a bit steadier than I felt.

"Welcome to Alfheim, Cassandra," said the King. He examined me, without the flicker of innuendo Aiden had shown, like I was an interesting piece or art or a horse he was curious about. Neutral but attentive.

Aiden cleared his throat, drawing our attention back to the matter at hand. "Sire, there is a situation with some of our kin on Earth. They're enjoying themselves, and not acknowledging Cassie's authority, given to her by me."

"Earth-drunk people can be… difficult." The king's lips twitched with amusement. Better you than me, his expression implied.

"Exactly," Aiden continued, "so I've agreed to assist Cassie in managing them. We need them to understand she speaks with Your backing."

"Ah," Sloane nodded slowly. "So, you are the human who made that bargain with my son, Cassandra?"

"I am," I muttered, the weight of responsibility settling uncomfortably on my shoulders.

"Could you make it a royal decree, then, Sire?" Aiden asked. The casualness in his tone didn't match the weight of the request. He looked at me briefly, an unspoken promise that he was serious about this alliance.

The king smiled, the expression reaching his eyes. The color had shifted to an even more blazing blue. It really was like standing in a movie with a CGI team at the ready. "A royal decree, my son?" he repeated, as if savoring the words. "Of course."

He snapped his fingers, and instantly I felt a shift in the air around me. It was like the softest shawl had settled on my shoulders, warm and light. Looking down at myself, I noticed a faint shimmer, like sunlight glinting off morning dew. It reminded me of the magic just before Aiden and I passed through the gate.

"From now on, you'll be seen in a different light, Cassie," Sloane said with a note of finality. "Quite literally."

After the decree was made, a deepening hush fell upon the throne room. I watched, barely daring to breathe as the king rose from his throne and turned toward Aiden. His movements were deliberate, each step carrying the weight of ceremony.

"Son. Aiden," he began with a gravity that seemed to pull at the very air, "you have shown the wisdom and strength required of a ruler. You are ready."

Before I could process what was happening, Sloane removed the crown from his head—a simple circlet that held the light of countless stars— and placed it atop Aiden's brow. He then bowed deeply, a gesture of profound respect and surrender.

"Your Majesty," he said, straightening up to look Aiden in the face. A light of unholy laughter had entered his own,

"Father?" Aiden's voice, normally rich, musical and confident, was almost a squawk. It held a note of disbelief, his usual confidence momentarily replaced by vulnerability.

Laughter bubbled up from Sloane, ex-king, rich and warm, chasing away the hush. "You'll do a great job. But now, I'm retired. It's time for me to find some fun."

The twinkle in his eyes made me very nervous. What was 'fun' for an elf king? Even one that had stepped down?

With a joyful bounce in his step, Sloane Brighthand turned on his heel and strode away from us.

The hall rang with his command. "Bring me my armor!"

Beside me, Aiden let out a long sigh. He took the crown off and twirled it on a finger. Catching my eyes, he offered a wry, lopsided grin. "See what I have to deal with?"

I watched Sloane's retreating figure, then turned back to Aiden, whose expression was a mixture of resignation and amusement. The absurdity of it all hit me—a coronation and abdication within the span of heartbeats, and here I was, a human wrapped in elf magic, standing witness in the most casual outfit ever.

They were all insane. But at the moment it was an endearing madness, a freedom I found myself inexplicably drawn to.

"Let's head back to earth, then," said Aiden. I took his offered hand.