I felt a surge of desire, lust, and love. Yes, I already loved her. I’d had a close friendship with her, and really enjoyed her company, it wasn’t hard to realize I’d fallen for her, and just hidden it from myself because the circumstances back then had been impossible. Now that she was no longer a spy, or hiding, and Sharon and Lia tentatively approved, I’d stopped deceiving myself.

  But I’d mentioned being conflicted, because I was also angry at her for disappearing like that, and not getting in touch. Also, her face was cold, and she looked at me icily.

  She wasn’t happy to see me at all, and that felt… wrong. Dishonest even.

  I reminded myself, that the bonds and magic were never wrong, but that didn’t mean the people involved had to give in to them, or couldn’t fuck things up. From where I was standing, she was determined not to be with me. I thought I knew why, she was protecting her heart from the inevitable fact that she would outlive me, by millennia, and a part of me understood it even, but that didn’t mean the rejection and anger in her eyes didn’t hurt.

  She’d even told me that once while discussing human and elf mating in a what if manner, along with the problems that any half-elf issue would face, but at the time I hadn’t understood she’d been talking about us.

  I looked away from her and back to Faelar, when the cold forbidding beauty of her face became too much for me to bear.

  Faelar looked extremely disapproving, and his gaze wasn’t on me at all, it was on Amara. Perhaps the earlier shift I’d felt in him hadn’t been just my imagination after all.

  He asked, “Tell me child, are you promised by magic to this human?”

  Promised by magic. I decided I liked that description, it perfectly defined exactly what it was. Not a demand, but a promise that could be taken, or refused. A promise of happiness, if that couple worked at it.

  Amara’s voice cut right through me. I’d longed to hear it, but not in the tone she used, or in her chosen words.

  “Yes. I am. I do not wish it.”

  I couldn’t look at her, and I was surprised to see emotion in Faelar’s eyes. He looked… regretful, but also stubborn. I could tell he didn’t agree with his daughter’s decision, maybe the elves put even more faith in the goddess’s choices than the humans did?

  Faelar’s next words rocked me.

  “The humans have requested our aid. In their quest to free the kingdom from tyranny they ask for our protection and help dealing with the last three diviners under the king’s banner. You and two others will work to protect him, his two mates, and the princess from being suppressed.”

  There was so much information in that short little speech I wasn’t sure I’d caught it all.

  First, the elves were not only safeguarded from diviners interfering with their nature magic, they could also extend that protection. I hadn’t known that was possible, and I could guess why they’d keep it a secret, humans would never leave them alone if they knew that truth.

  Second, I doubted he cared about the kingdom any more than he had a moment ago, which meant that he was forcing his daughter to come along with me because he thought she should accept the magic’s promise. Maybe I was reading into it too much, but he clearly disapproved of her decision, and I couldn’t see another angle for that part. That promised to be very painful for both of us, if she didn’t change her mind.

  Third, Faelar had never met me, and I’d never introduced my companions, which either meant he’d read all that with magic, or Amara had described us all to her father in her report. Possibly it was a little of both. Still, it shocked me that he’d known exactly who I was the whole time. I suppose in hindsight, it shouldn’t have.

  I risked a glance at the sexy elf, and my breath caught. She’d looked angrily at me earlier, but her expression was absolutely glacial now, as she stared at her father.

  But all she said was, “Yes father,” in a tone both stubborn, and resigned.

  The message was clear, she would obey and go along, but she wouldn’t be changing her mind.

  I’ll be honest, it hurt, a lot. Worse, I could tell that Sharon, Lia, and for some reason Daphne, were unimpressed with her attitude, and even a bit angry on my behalf.

  I was supposed to deal with that for eight years? Just fucking shoot me now, and get it over with. Perversely, I almost smiled at that thought. Been there, done that.

  Things moved rather quickly then, the trees released us with a small surge of magic from Faelar, and two of the large tigers moved to flank us, and then sat down. Amara walked over and stood apart from me, with as many people between us as she could manage, and yet still be standing within the small group.

  I looked back to Faelar, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say that he looked at me with pity. It was too subtle to be sure, perhaps I had just read my own feelings of self-pity in his eyes.

  “Good luck, and I wish you well, but do not invade my forest again. If you ever need to come back, wait on the shore. I or another will come if you are patient enough.”

  I nodded in agreement.

  I tried not to jump as the tigers shimmered and changed. They were male and female, and if I wasn’t mistaken, they were a bonded pair. The bond magic was very subtle, and ephemeral, but I was getting better at sensing it among the louder magic of elements and nature.

  Faelar waved a hand, “These others are Gorwin, and Ashera. Don’t underestimate their combined ability with nature magic. They will be able to create a flow around you and the others, much like one of your primitive wards, which will shield your magic from other diviners. The diviners won’t be able to get passed it, without trying to modify it. That… would be their last mistake.”

  He paused a moment, “Go now, and may the goddess bless your journey.”

  I exchanged a look with Lia, and nodded. We could get to know Gorwin and Ashera later. I was more than ready to leave the elven forest.

  Lia surrounded us with air, and took us up into the air. The trees parted, revealing the sky, and when we rose above them she took us toward home.

  I tried not to dwell on the fact that Amara wouldn’t even look at me. But it was like trying to ignore a pink elephant. A pink elephant that sat on my chest.

  I really missed my fun-loving and flirty elf…

  Chapter Five

  I should have seen it coming, but of course I hadn’t.

  When we returned to Haven we’d collected Jenna, Marie, and picked up Captain Melinda as well. She’d been talking to Marie and trying to get the details of what she’d missed the other day. I hadn’t been sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing at the time, but she joined us as we went back to the council.

  They’d welcomed us in, with small frowns at Amara. That was more than a bit awkward. Politically, they couldn’t touch her though, as they were doing the equivalent of camping in the elves backyard. I wasn’t worried they’d try to arrest her or anything.

  Things moved along then, and I described the meeting with the elves in general terms. I didn’t want to air my love life to them after all. I was rather private, and liked to keep that kind of thing just between my mates and I. I’d had no choice with Faelar, but I’d be damned before I put out my personal business in this room.

  I’d finished my update, and that is when things went a little wrong.

  Caroline looked at us with a small smile I didn’t like. She tried to look regretful, and almost pulled it off, but not quite. The fact that her magic was like a roiling storm was unneeded proof for what I already saw in her face.

  “So you mean to say, that just these three elves are the only support from the elven kingdom that we can expect?”

  I frowned as I realized where she was going. As I already indicated, I should have seen it coming. But I didn’t. The council feared change.

  Caroline’s next words verified my suspicions.

  “Without the true support of the elves, I’m afraid we won’t be able to support this reckless plan of yours, which will just get our people killed, along with many innocent civilians in the kingdom.”

  Bernard, and even Matthew, looked regretful, but I knew it was mock regret. They didn’t want the status quo to change either.

  I’ll be honest, despite my close personal friendship with Murphy, and deep experience with his law, I hadn’t expected this at all. I had no clue what to do, and knew I wasn’t very good at politics.

  Luckily, I was surrounded by others who were. However, the one that took up the cause shocked me. I’d expected perhaps Princess Daphne, or Lia to come up with a plan. Even Sharon was wiser in the ways of politics than I was.

  I didn’t expect Amara to speak, this would be her opportunity to disappear again. No mission, no reason to stay. And… she didn’t, speak that is.

  It was Captain Melinda who stood up, and what she said shocked me.

  “I hereby resign my commission as captain of the Sea Scorned,” her voice was cold, and filled with more contempt than I’d ever heard from her before. It made her dressing down of me in the past, look like a gentle pat on the head.

  Caroline frowned at the captain and asked, “Why?” with true confusion in her voice.

  She snorted, and her voice was cold, “Because you’re all cowards, and I have a kingdom’s ass to kick. I’ll be too busy freeing our sisters to run my ship for you. I imagine there will be a lot of spots open on the ship soon, because I guarantee my crew will follow me to the last. I also guarantee when word is spread, others will follow, teachers, guards, and anyone else that we need to make this plan a reality.

  “That is, if they don’t just straight out replace you,” she finished, her voice at the end, was once again dripping with scorn and contempt.

  I held in the urge to laugh, so much for their safe excuse to back out.

  Melinda was a political animal, and cared about her power. It was obvious from her actions in the past, and even the way she had treated me at times. The truth I hadn’t known about my mother-in-law until then, was that she cared a hell of a lot more about her chosen life mission.

  To rescue sorceresses.

  I kind of wanted to hug her in that moment, of course, I refrained.

  Matthew, the only councilor left I had even a modicum of respect for, had the decency to look ashamed.

  The other two, were livid with anger, but at the same time frozen in indecision.

  Melinda had just taken all their fears, and the reason they’d said no, and made it backfire. Their answer for the mission was suddenly bringing their fears to fruition, instead of burying them as they intended, and they were stuck. Melinda had thrown it back in their face, and spit on them besides. Figuratively I mean, she didn’t actually spit on them. Which the small petty part of me regretted.

  It was also something only she could have done. She was as well respected in sorceress haven as the council, if not more so. Her quitting and moving on would have a much larger impact than if anyone else had done it. Honestly, she was the only one who could have done it, and succeeded in shutting down the council so hard.

  In that moment, I kind of regretted not including her in our plans, I’d taken a small conflict between us, and grossly misjudged her as a result. She had used me as a tool, but not as I’d thought, to increase her cache of accolades on the island, but instead to rescue more sorceresses.

  That latter reason was far easier to forgive.

  Although, I was sure she’d be free with sharing her insight into our plans once things got going.

  Bernard cleared his throat, apparently his brain kicked in faster than the other two.

  “Captain, do you truly feel that strongly about it? We felt it was too big of a risk, but perhaps we were too hasty in our judgment. We’d be quite interested in hearing why you feel that way, maybe you can enlighten us on what we missed that caused such a strong overreaction?”

  Melinda shook her head, but didn’t call him out on his back peddling, and instead gave them an out. I’d have wanted to kick them while they were down, but Melinda was smarter than I was politically.

  “Did you review his whole plan? If anything, he over planned, especially for his own perceived weaknesses. I can also see my daughter’s and first mate’s marks all over it, and it’s a damned good plan. Those new island wards of his are nigh impregnable to an invading fleet. Is there a risk? Of course, it’s an audacious plan, but it’s well thought out, and very possible if we keep our guard up.

  “That’s probably the biggest danger, eight years is a long campaign and we’ll have to remain on guard. Human nature is to get in a rut, so we have to zealously guard against it, but I agree any faster and we’d be leaving chaos and anarchy in our wake, instead of a newly established government. I like the model Daphne came up with, most of the power will reside with the local island councils, yet she reserves the right to kick heads in if they abuse their power.”

  She turned to us and said, “There was one gaping hole in your plans. You need a spy network as well.”

  She narrowed her focus on Daphne and said, “One that is sworn to you directly. You can’t depend on the grand council fully to tell you when corruption or abuses happen on their islands. Other than that, I’m very impressed with the plan.”

  Caroline cleared her throat.

  “In light of this new information, we need to discuss it further. Please wait outside while we discuss a final decision.”

  It was a transparent attempt at saving face, the council didn’t have a choice, Melinda had backed them very neatly into a proverbial corner. However, there was no need to rub it in, or make enemies of them, so we allowed them that small bit of dignity, and shuffled out to the waiting area.

  I felt relieved, after two months of work, planning, and worry, we’d accomplished our goals. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge in my chest, as I glanced for a moment at Amara, who still never failed to take my breath away, even now. I just wished my personal plans had gone better as well, but at least she was here.

  I had to hope that Faelar was as wise as I believed him to be, and that Amara would eventually relent, and not only that, but that she’d be happy doing so. Surely, her father would not have sent her on a dangerous mission, and put her life at risk, just to make her suffer in my presence.

  Of course, the decision wasn’t up to him, it was up to her. Like the magic, all her father could do was give her a push.

  Either way, it was clear we were about to go to war…

  Chapter Six

  Gorwin and Ashera were polite, and very professional in a standoffish kind of way. I’d tried to break the ice a few times, along with Sharon, Lia, and the others. We’d all met with abject failure as they answered any queries politely and with extreme brevity.

  I decided the best thing to do was just be polite back, and leave it that. Either we as humans would grow on them, or we wouldn’t.

  Amara never did say how many years it had taken for humans to grow on her, although based on her recent attitude, it was hard to tell she had.

  I worried, more about the idea that Sharon and Lia might start to really hate her, before she relented. Me? I wouldn’t give up until I was dead. It was strange, but I had faith in the goddess, and believed she would be happier with me. I wasn’t sure what would happen when I was gone, perhaps the goddess would send her another?

  That thought didn’t bother me at all, I truly wanted her to be happy, and that truth hurt me more than anything else did, because she was absolutely miserable.

  The three elves were always close by, and strangely inconspicuous considering they were elves among humans. I suspected they might be using their magic to blend in.

  But over the next week not much changed at all.

  There were more volunteers among the island than we could possible need. We prepared the ship, which would be carrying crew, along with the ones who would be the initial guards and part of the invasion force on land. Another ship would follow a day later filled with volunteer teachers for all that needed to be taught before we moved on.

  It was still hard to believe, that it all started with a harebrained scheme I’d come up with when I’d had a concussion.

  I wondered if the goddess was proud of me. Based on Earth’s history, I was hardly the first person to start a war because I believed I was doing a god’s will. Still, it needed to be done, and the cancer of a kingdom that approved of rape, misuse of power, and stealing the birthright of every woman of magic, needed to go.

  The first kingdom was built on conquest, and the desire to rule the world.

  The new kingdom would be built on freeing the people, and allowing freedom under the rule of a just law. So they could have guards that guarded their lives and livelihoods, instead of oppression. I just hoped that’s how the history books saw it a thousand years from now.

  I knew I was putting a lot of faith in a sixteen-year-old girl, and I couldn’t say why I felt she was not only worthy of that trust now, but that she always would be. I just did.

  She was, without a doubt, capable.

  Sharon, Lia, and I as usual, had grown even closer the last week. My awe of their work ethic, competence, and their beauty seemed to only grow larger the more I worked, played, and slept with them.

  Melinda was a godsend, or should I say goddess send?

  Regardless, despite her rousing speech on our awesome plan, she went over all of it with us that week, and had several brutally practical suggestions. Much like the spy network idea, there were a few other areas where we’d been perhaps a bit too naïve about human behavior.

  We wanted to build a safe and just kingdom, and I’d had plenty of provisions in there for people who might find loopholes to take advantage. But apparently, not enough. It was good to have her on our side, and so completely excited and optimistic about it.