“It’s nice to meet each of you,” Esha replied. She glanced at him. “Kendrick told me some stories.”
Rhi twisted her lips. “Yikes. I’m not sure I want to know what those were.”
“You know exactly which they were,” Con said with a chuckle.
Esha tilted her head when Rhi spoke. “Your accent is different.”
“Kendrick, Eurwen, and Con have Scottish brogues, while I have an Irish accent,” Rhi explained.
“Places on Earth,” Kendrick told her.
“So,” Eurwen said as she glanced toward the barrier, “not to cast a shadow on this meeting and new acquaintance, but why are we here?”
Esha licked her lips and looked at Kendrick. “How much did you tell them about my culture?”
“Everything you told me,” he assured her.
Esha took a deep breath and released it. “My sister, Savita, was right. The elves are divided. The loudest are the ones opposed to making an alliance with the dragons. I just learned that there has been dissension among the elves for some time. Savita said it had been contained as best it could be, but Kendrick’s arrival changed everything.”
“Because I came onto your land without any ramifications,” he said.
Esha met his gaze and nodded. “Those elves want revenge, and they plan to cross the border.”
“That would mean war,” Eurwen replied coolly.
Kendrick grunted. “I think that’s the point.”
“I don’t understand,” Rhi said. “Surely, the elves realize they’ll be killed.”
Esha shrugged. “I think they’re hoping to take down a dragon or two. They don’t understand the magnitude of what they’re doing.”
“Nay, they doona,” Con bit out.
Esha swallowed nervously. “If my people come, and you attack, it will be the end of the elves. Those fighting for an alliance will swiftly turn against the dragons.”
“Bloody hell,” Eurwen muttered.
Kendrick nodded in agreement. “It’s the dissenters’ way of turning all elves to their side.”
“But it will likely kill all of them. Why would they do that, simply to prove themselves right?” Eurwen asked.
Esha shrugged helplessly. “I can’t answer that. I’m merely repeating what Savita told me. I had no idea that she had sought out Dain after Kendrick left. The two of them have been working together.”
“I never would’ve guessed that,” Kendrick said. “What are they doing?”
“Trying to learn the identities of those on the Conclave who sent the nightwraith after me.”
Kendrick stilled as her words sank in. “What?”
Esha winced. “I imagine I had that same look when Savita told me. It seems the runes told some of the Readers that I’m the answer. That if I’m with you, there will be no war.”
“So they sent that creature to kill you?” Rhi asked in shock.
Kendrick grunted. “One impossible for an elf to kill.”
“Luckily for Esha, you’re no’ an elf,” Con said.
Esha chuckled softly. “You didn’t face it. Trust me, I know exactly how lucky I am.”
“So,” Rhi said, tapping the toe of her black stiletto boot, “you’re telling me that some arseholes are so worried about you befriending a Dragon King that they sent a beast to kill you? I don’t think I like these elves.”
Esha grinned in response. “Savita and Dain are going to continue their work. They’re intent on discovering the names and stopping those elves.” She cut her gaze to Kendrick. “They’re worried I’ll become much more than a friend to Kendrick.”
“Ah,” Con said with a nod.
Kendrick couldn’t allow himself to even consider that Esha was here to stay for good, to be his mate. It was all he wanted, and he didn’t think he would survive it if she left again. He turned to Eurwen. “I did go onto their land without permission. Whether we think it right or no’, we shouldna get a pass to go wherever we want if we doona allow the same on our land.”
“Brandr and I have been discussing it since you returned.” Eurwen nodded at her parents. “It’s also a topic that comes up often with my parents, as well as Vaughn. You know why no one is allowed on our land.”
Kendrick jerked his chin to Esha. “And yet, there are exceptions.”
“This is difficult,” Rhi said. “Obviously, it’s something that still needs to be discussed. For now, though, I think a decision needs to be made regarding what happens if elves cross.”
Eurwen was silent for a moment. “I don’t want a war.”
“No one does,” Rhi replied.
Con shoved a lock of hair from his eyes. “We doona have to attack them.”
“A show of force,” Kendrick said with a smile.
Con grinned, nodding. “Exactly. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.”
“Brandr will be sad he missed this,” Eurwen said and nodded. “We’ll try it. Let’s hope it stops the elves.”
Rhi took Con’s hand. “We should let the others know.”
“You two stay here. Kendrick, if you see anything, send word,” Eurwen said.
Kendrick bowed his head. “Of course.”
“Esha,” Con said. “I’ve a feeling we’ll be seeing more of you.”
Then the three were gone, leaving Kendrick alone with his mate. He turned to Esha. “Is your sister going to be safe?”
“She’s clever and smarter than most. I’d put the odds in her favor, but she’s not foolish enough to dismiss the perils of what she’s doing.”
“Are you going back?” They were the hardest words he had ever uttered.
Her golden-amber eyes held his as she shook her head. “I made my decision.”
“Will the elves allow you to return to see Savita?”
Esha glanced at the ground before shaking her head. “We might be able to meet at the border.”
“I’m sorry,” he said as he pulled her into his arms.
“Savita knew you were coming.”
That surprised him. He looked down at her. “The runes?”
“They told her all of it, apparently. She didn’t tell me to come to you. I made that decision, but according to Dain, that was exactly what had to happen.”
“But she knew you were coming to me?”
Esha’s eyes swam with tears. “Yes. I now know that our last conversation was her way of saying farewell.”
“It doesna have to be forever. We’ll find a way for the two of you to see each other again.”
She swiped at a tear. “I knew what I was doing by coming here. It was what I wanted all along, but I didn’t think I could do it. I thought it would start the war if I left with you.”
“It doesna matter. You’re here now,” he said and lowered his head to kiss her gently.
“Do you…do you still feel the same?”
Kendrick gazed into her beautiful eyes and smiled. He gently ran his fingers from the points of her ears down her neck. “Do I find you the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen? Aye. Do I crave your touch? Do I yearn for you beside me? Do I ache to be inside you? Do I long to see your smile and hear your voice? Do I love you beyond reason or doubt? The answer, lass, is a resounding aye. You’re the other half of me, my mate. I feel it here,” he said, putting her hand over his heart.