Life Mate to a King

Life Mate to a King

Published by M.A. Abraham at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 M.A. ABRAHAM

Dedication

This is dedicated to Elf lovers everywhere, those who enjoy fantasy, romance, humor and the brighter aspects of our lives that bring light to the world. 

Acknowledgements…

Without the support and efforts of my friend and editors Charlene and Eniko, the proofreading talents of Eniko and Candy, and the continuing contributions of Becca, this book would never have made it to publication.  There are days when I feel as if the cheer leading squad keeps growing and never gives up on me, even when I want to give up on myself.  To those who continue to follow the continuing story of the Elven Chronicles, I express my most humble gratitude.  Your continuing support and faith in my work is appreciated. 

CHAPTER I

Garoldth was sure his eyes hadn’t been playing tricks on him and that the woman he had seen slip through the trees was his love. He still remembered the first time he ever saw her. She had been standing by the edge of the forest, surrounded by a bush of summer roses. Butterflies had flitted all around, and she had been smiling. He had never seen such a beautiful sight in his life.

Garoldth remembered how she had playfully lifted her hands to cup one of the fluttering insects as it had settled in her hands. She had giggled at how the wings had tickled her palms, and it had sounded like music to his ears. She had smiled sadly and dreamily at him as he had sunk to his knees beside her. There had been no pretense to her, none at all. She was not the type to play games with life. He had looked into those fathomless azure eyes and was lost.

Garoldth remembered gathering her into his arms. Her hair had glistened in the bright summer sun, reminding him of ripened wheat rippling in the breeze. He could not resist the invitation of those full red lips and kissed her. She had smelled of honeysuckle and had tasted just as sweet. He kissed her again, and again, he couldn’t get enough of her. She was so soft, and she welcomed him like one would welcome a long lost love. That had been the beginning of the most incredible two weeks of his life.

They had loved and talked, coming together time and time again as they shared their lives as well as their bodies. He told her of his world, he wanted her with him and he never wanted to leave her behind. She had looked at him with sad eyes, but had said nothing. He could not understand why she had done that, why she would refuse to bond with him when he begged, repeatedly. She had told him to just accept his gifts as he could and love her as she would always love him. It scared him, but she soothed his fears, telling him she was in no danger. She could see these things, she told him, and he knew she had a touch of the sight. It was a talent many Elves had in varying degrees. He, however, had none.

Garoldth, in fact felt he had very little. He had his honor, which he offered to her freely. He had twelve sons, which he shared in word and hoped to continue to do in person with her. He had his love, which he told her she was the center of. He had his Kingdom, which he was proud of, war torn though it was, and he wanted to make her his Queen. All that he was, he offered to her. He told her she was the sun in his sky, like cool water in the desert. She was his shining star.

She had smiled, but never so much as offered him her name. He took what he could, but it was never enough. She shared. She loved, and completed him. His soul reached out for hers and she allowed him entry, though she refused to utter the words that would make them one. For two weeks she held him in her arms. Then one morning, after a particularly tender night of loving, he woke to find her gone. For two days he searched every place he could. There was no sign of her, and it was like she had never existed. He reached for the tentacles of their bond, but it eluded him. He knew she was there, somewhere. The bond that should have guided him to her; however, was muted and had left him lost. Wherever she was, he could not go, or she hid in places that shielded her. He had no choice. He gathered what she had left him, returned to his home, and an empty throne. Home to perform a duty he could no longer ignore because his love was no longer at his side to shield him from the burden.

He remembered the sad trip home, to find one of his most loyal Lords awaiting his arrival. The Elf had brought his granddaughter along with him. She had been a pretty thing, looking like a woodland sprite, all golden and green. She looked at him, and for whatever reason, her presence made his skin crawl. There was something not right about the girl and he could sense that there was evil within her.

The grandfather spent no time on small talk. He reminded the King of past actions, or promises made and in need of fulfilling. He told him that his granddaughter was a wild creature with Demon tainted blood, who liked to run at night. She was also devious and sly. He doubted if her grandfather had known that she carried a child. He also doubted if her grandfather knew just how evil she truly was.

To honor old promises he reluctantly married the girl. He set up a full tower of the fortress to serve as her quarters. He had then left her there to live in the manner she wished. Alone. She came and went as she pleased. He was not interested in what she did. The fact that he had honored the old alliance meant that he could not go across the portal to retrieve his true love. He had no doubts that if his true love was left alone in the company of his legal wife, the love of his life would have been murdered. Seven and a half months after the agreement had been made between the old Elf and him, his wife gave birth to a green haired, green-eyed child. He made sure both were cared for and comfortable, but had little or nothing to do with either of them.

Garoldth had taken one look at the child and had recognized him for Demon spawn, an almost full-blooded Demon. There was nothing he could do about it. He smiled with gritted teeth and announced the birth of his thirteenth son. He dared not tell the world he had never so much as touched the mother. To say he had spurned her would have dishonored the house from where she had come. He could not do that to them, as they were strong and powerful allies. They had also suffered long and hard during the war. In all ways he admired her birth house, her maternal family, but not her.

Garoldth understood, she could not help being whom and what she was. How could she? The things he disliked the most about her were born right in, it was a part of her Demon heritage. Her mother had been captured by Demons almost five hundred years before. It had been a time when the Demon Horde had been regrouping to prepare for another push into Elven lands. The Elven armies had been having great bouts of victories against their enemies. They had hopes that they might see an end to the wars. The Elven maiden had been brutally violated, time and time again, as if the enemy had wanted to make it clear that they were not finished with their campaign to demoralize and defeat their enemies. The prisoner had been returned, which was rare. Elven maidens were seldom ever returned by the Demons. Not alive. She was pregnant with a Demon child, and she seemed incapable of thinking on her own anymore.

The happy, beautiful Elven maiden that had existed prior to the capture no longer existed. She no longer sang and danced through the meadows bringing joy to all who beheld her. She had been so full of life and spirit, and was her family’s pride. When she had been returned she just sat and stared into the empty space beyond. She lived long enough to bring her child into the world, but barely. Her family had been forced to feed her, bathe her, and dress her. Her mind was no longer there. The nights had been worse, filled with her screams and cries. Once her death had come, it was considered one of mercy.

After the birth of the child the tides of the war seemed to turn against the Elven forces. They were losing more of their females, and when the bodies were found they had been mutilated almost beyond recognition. It had struck the male Elves hard, for it served to show them that they could no longer protect the heart of their homes. The men realized that female Elves had always been in short supply but they were becoming almost non-existent. Women were now considered sacred.

Garoldth’s life was full. Every spare moment was taken up with directing the war and making sure that his Kingdom was well served. His sons backed his every decision as they took their places at his side. He had trained them well and hard. He had lost nine brothers during the war. He vowed he would not lose a son as long as he had breath in his body. The Princes responded well to his efforts, proving their love and loyalty time after time. They were his pride and joy.

Despite all the demands of his attention Garoldth’s mind often returned to his love on the other side of the portal. How had she fared after he had left? Was she still there? Had she found another? It was unlikely. Their love was that of Life Mates. Was she waiting for him to return? He had nothing to offer at this time but more dishonor, but despite that he could not stay away. Under the guise of attempting to meet with Daroth he crossed through the portal that separated their lands. The reality was that he needed the light only his Life Mate could bring his soul.

The differences between their worlds struck him right away. He noticed how the forests thrived. There were Elves everywhere and despite the fact that they were at war, they were happy and confident of their chances of winning. They had a new General by the name of Gabriel. He was a young Elf of great power who was leading them from one victory to another. King Daroth had been nowhere to be found, so after an extensive journey, Garoldth had headed for home.

This time his Life Mate had been waiting for him by the portal near the edge of the forest. Dressed in white and green, her eyes full of love and tears, she had opened her arms to him. He could have no more resisted her siren’s call than he could have stopped himself from breathing. They talked. They loved. This time she gave him her name to remember her. Tári. It was a name seared into his soul from the moment it was spoken. Time after time they completed each other, coming together in the throws of a common need.

Garoldth told her he could offer nothing this time. She replied that he was more precious to her than anything the world could offer. Their love bound them until neither could tell where one started and the other began. Their bodies and souls were no more than quaking, quivering masses of hope and desire. This time he contented himself with what they only could give of themselves. She would hear no words of sorrow from him. No regrets. She told him she had enough of those herself. When the time for them to part came, she took him by the hand and led him to the portal entrance. They gave each other one last lingering kiss goodbye and parted. There were no tears, no sad sighs of regret, and no bitterness. The memory of the sweetest kiss and smile he had ever experienced was the memory he took with him past the portal.

Garoldth crossed the boundary to return to his own land, to face the barren world that was his home, and his life. The trees were losing their freshness, becoming somehow twisted and sick. He knew they were in trouble, just as he knew they were in danger of losing the war. The Demons were winning by sheer numbers, if for no other reason. He returned to his fortress, to find out that his wife was dead by a fall from the tower, and that the war had escalated during his absence. He resisted the urge to once more cross the boundary to claim his Life Mate. He knew he would not be able to find her. It would be like the last time. He would seek, but he would never find her unless she wanted to be found. He turned his attention once more to the war where he was desperately needed.

CHAPTER II

It had taken no more than a slight movement amongst the leaves in the forest to capture Garoldth’s notice. Were there dangers lurking in the shadows waiting to attack the moment their attentions were focused in another direction? Even in Daroth’s world Garoldth could not force himself to feel totally safe. He immediately signaled his sons to the possibility of trouble. The foreign Princes were quick to answer the alert, some moved about the crowd as they searched for danger there. A few of the Princes gravitated to their father’s side to form a protective shield. A couple sent their Battle Birds up to scout from the sky above.

Daroth took note of Garoldth’s actions from the moment Garoldth had noticed the movement in the forest. He saw how Garoldth’s sons snapped to attention and began to skirt the area to protect their King. Even the Duke Lexior fell into formation. Daroth approved, though he knew there was no danger. He watched as the foreign King snapped out orders to the sons who surrounded him. He then spoke a few words to Gabriel as he left.

Garoldth was sure he had recognized the Elven female who had watched them from the cover of the trees. Tári. He had often thought of his love. His beautiful, gentle, Life Mate. Centuries before she had fled from their union, guided by visions of his world and the knowledge that it was not yet time for them to be together. He had been unable to resist the call of their bond a century later. He had not been proud of his lack of control and life had not been at a point where he could offer her a place at his side.

Garoldth could now offer his love everything. His life. His Empire. She could stand beside him as an equal. His Queen. She could live in his world and be safe. Would she run or would she stay to stand by his side? He swore he would never allow her to turn away from what they were meant to be again. She was his. They were meant to be one.

Aredhel watched as Garoldth and his sons had led the small army of Elves across the threshold of the boundary that was the portal between their two worlds. This was a moment she needed to tell her mother about. Tári had often told her that there would be a day when the King from the other side would lead his Elves across the barrier into their world. Her vision had finally happened. Aredhel turned from the gathering and left, after taking note of the actions being taken by the Elf that had been standing between Daroth and the Dark Elven King.

Even from half the length of a field away Aredhel could tell that the foreign Elf had taken special note of her. Who was he? What was he to her? She felt his questing spell attach itself to her. She could tell he was seeking answers. Somehow she knew she did not have the answers he sought. Why did he want to know who she was? Deciding the Elf was dangerous, she ran, taking the long way home. She was not about to let anyone track her to the lair. She was not going to lead danger to her mother and sister.

By the time Garoldth got to where he had thought he had seen Tári no signs remained to indicate that anyone had been there. He crouched on a bent knee to study the forest floor closer. There was nothing. How could she have done that? Why would she want to leave?

Find what you are looking for? A voice sounded from just over him.

Garoldth rose with lethal grace to face the possible danger.

You wouldn’t hurt your own flesh and blood? Lexior spoke as he moved to avoid Garoldth’s knife.

Garoldth pulled back as he recognized Lexior and frowned. What are you doing here?

Dínendal told me to follow in case you need help or defending.

I would have been better off with Elios, at least his Battle Bird could take to the sky and scout the area from above. Garoldth snarled back.

With all the good news floating around I would have thought you would be in a great mood uncle. You need to find yourself a woman. As far as Elios goes, his Battle Bird is more interested in feeding than anything else at the moment. He would not be much help. Lexior lightly teased.

Garoldth tossed Lexior a frown and complained. Why did Dínendal send you if you serve no other purpose than to flap your gums?

Well I might not know how to fly, but I do know the Elf you are looking for went in that direction. Lexior pointed towards a denser part of the forest.

How do you know?

I saw her. Lexior answered simply.

Should have known. If there is a female in the area you would know where to find her. Word of advice on this one Lexior, keep your distance.

Lexior smiled widely and teased. What if she likes me?

A snarl escaped from Garoldth as he responded. She may like you, but she will not be attracted to you. Remember that.

Lexior just tsked and pressed on. Touchy, touchy, your majesty.

Keep on pushing and I will show you how touchy I can get. Garoldth warned Lexior as he turned and stalked off.

Garoldth knew Lexior was only teasing. He understood he was being unreasonable, but controlling the urge to tear the young Duke’s throat out at the moment was all he could handle. What was worse, he could tell Lexior knew it and still continued to press his luck. That made Garoldth smile. It was proof that not all the light had been snuffed out of his people by the evil they had been forced to face day after day.

Your Majesty, Lexior called out as Garoldth strode through the trees you are heading in the wrong direction. How did that happen? You forget how to use a Life Mate thread?

Garoldth frowned and gave the comment thought. Lexior had made a valid point. He should have been able to cast out his link and know which direction Tári had taken. He should have felt the Life Mate link connection strongly, but that was not how it was.

Tári had always known how to elude his search for her in the past. Garoldth had never understood how, but he had suspected she had used the caves. The thick rock would have prevented either one of them from sensing the other. He wondered if that was what she was doing now.

The Life Mate thread cannot travel through rock. Garoldth replied.

Lexior grinned as he replied. Then it is a good thing I noticed the direction your Life Mate took, not that I have noticed many rocks huge enough to hide behind.

Garoldth frowned at Lexior. The more Lexior talked and teased the more Garoldth thought about the female they were attempting to follow. Something did not seem quite right about her, and yet there was a connection. Could Tári have a sister? Someone who looked so much like her that it would be difficult to tell the difference between two? He wished he had thought to ask Daroth but the possibility had not arisen.

Garoldth remembered conversations he had shared with Tári in the past as they had lay together, content to just hold each other. It had been moments like that when they had shared insights into their lives. Tári had mentioned no family to him and he had always thought of her as an Elven female alone in the world. He had wanted to fill her world with all that he was and had, to make her feel wanted and special. To him she was his universe and he wanted her to know it.

Having to deal with the reality of their lives was something that both Garoldth and Tári had hated to face. Tári had insisted, however, that they did just that. She never let him forget that he had a kingdom that depended on him, sons who loved and needed him. She, Tári had made sure he understood that she would always be waiting for him.

Something tells me I had better do the tracking, Lexior noted as Garoldth almost walked into a brook in his preoccupation. I have never seen an Elf so lost in a forest before.

Garoldth growled something incomprehensible at Lexior, but inwardly he had to agree. His mind was not on following the trail. One part of his thoughts was in the past. The rest of his mind was focused on reuniting with his love at the moment. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to concentrate on what was needed, the search for the trail. He spread out his senses like a net to see what he could discover and picked up a trace of his love. It was not Tári’s essence but whomever they were following had a close relationship to her. He wanted to know who it was, and if she knew where Tári was. There were going to be a lot of questions he wanted answered.

Here, Lexior pointed at the light mark left by a foot leaving the brook about a half a mile from where Garoldth had almost entered earlier. He had been too preoccupied with his thoughts to watch where he was going at the time. Someone passed this way not long ago. They were attempting to use the brook to hide their footsteps.

Garoldth allowed a slow smile to spread across his face. Whoever is leading us is a wily Elf.

You no longer believe she is your Life Mate? Lexior asked.

No, Garoldth replied as he bent to touch the indented footprint. She is related by blood, but this is not Tári. My Life Mate does not go out of her way to elude anyone like this and she would not run from me. Not now. My love has always welcomed me into her life with open arms.

It has been over five hundred years your Majesty. She could have changed. Lexior pointed out.

Garoldth shook his head as he replied. Not my love. My Tári is as constant as the sun in the sky.

Well her relation is headed for rockier terrain, prepare to have a trickier time following her lead. Lexior warned Garoldth.

Garoldth only smiled wider as he lifted his face to catch a scent in the breeze and replied. I have her, she will not elude us this time.

Lexior frowned as Garoldth broke into a run and he followed.

You could have warned me you were going to take off at a run you know.

What is your problem Lexior? Having trouble keeping up to an old Elf?

As if I could not run you into the ground any day of the week. Lexior scoffed before adding. I think the idea of what awaits you at the end of the trail makes you so fast.

Garoldth tossed Lexior a wide smile and picked up speed. You could be right. A pair of welcoming arms would be definitely something to make an Elf run and Tári has always greeted me with open arms.

Lexior picked up speed to follow in Garoldth's footsteps. Maybe she knows someone who will consider taking pity on a poor neglected Elven Duke.

The maiden would have to be blind. Came Garoldth’s reply.

Lexior came right back at him. I have no memory of any complaints about the way I look from the ladies.

Garoldth was not about to let him get away with that. Lexior was a good-looking Elven male, but much too vain to be allowed to crow about it.

I do not remember anyone talking about your looks either way. I guess that must mean you don’t make a lasting impression.

Then you were obviously not paying attention to the crowd of female warriors around me earlier. Lexior responded with a pleased grin.

Garoldth almost laughed as he responded. That was not admiration child, that was pity.

You have that all wrong your majesty. The pity is for your sons. Not me. These females recognize charm when they see it.

Maybe they do, but how familiar are they with conceit? Perhaps they were just studying the trait and that was why you looked so popular.

There are any number of Elves here that are full of themselves. The females know a good thing when they see it. You think we are getting closer to our destination? Lexior asked.

Garoldth answered. I would say yes, if I knew where our destination was. Getting tired already?

Of course not, I have noticed we are entering a different type of terrain. I was thinking it might serve our purpose better to slow down and watch a little more carefully for paths. They could lead to areas that are more traveled.

As I remember there are not that many trees where Tári used to meet with me. It was rockier and some of the hill areas were littered with caves.

"Well,