Surrender, Book 3 The Elfin Series (29 page)

C
assie stood with wide, tear filled eyes as she watched Cush wrap himself around Elora. She had started toward the bed but Trik had stopped her.
“He won’t let her go. And he will most likely become violent with anyone who tries to touch her. You will have to say your goodbye from a distance.”

Cassie didn’t like it, but she understood. She understood because she knew Trik would be the same way if it was her lying in that bed. So she stood at the foot of the bed and cried for the friend she’d lost. She cried for the future, they had always planned together, being taken from them both. She cried for Cush and the anguish she knew he was in. But most of all she cried because the world had been robbed of this incredible person who brought laughter and love and passion to everyone and in everything she did. The world would never get the chance to experience the enigma that was Elora: the half human, half dark elf, but wholly wonderful person.  Moments ago she’d still been breathing, there’d still been hope, but now, now she was still.

“I didn’t get to tell her about her father,” Trik said softly. Cassie immediately felt guilt fill him.

“She wouldn’t have held it against you,” Cassie reassured and she knew it was true.

“Still, I needed to apologize not because I expected forgiveness but because she deserved it.”

Elora deserved many things, and death was not one of them. Cassie clenched her teeth attempting to hold herself together. She didn’t want to fall apart with Lisa there. Elora’s mom was already grief stricken. She didn’t want to add to that with her own sadness. She leaned against Trik and let his silent presence give her strength, and she was thankful that he was so strong because she had never before felt so very weak.

  “
Y
ou know he will not leave her on his own,” Syndra told her mate. They stood in the furthest corner of the room watching Cush. Her own heart was breaking as well, but Syndra didn’t have the luxury of breaking down. Someone had to take charge and it fell to her and Tamsin. Trik was needed by his Chosen, Oakley and Lisa were in no state to think clearly, Tony wouldn’t last two seconds against an enraged elf warrior, and Vyshaan seemed to be in shock over the fact that the spell had not worked. They were the only ones who had a chance in hell of getting Cush away from Elora so that they could tend to her.

“I don’t understand it,” Tamsin said keeping his voice soft.

“Understand what?”

“Trik and Tony killed Lorsan, Cush killed Tarron, no more Rapture will be produced, Cassie’s parents are safe, all of these challenges have been conquered, and yet this is the result.” He motioned toward Elora. “I know in war there are casualties, warriors die. That’s just part of it. But this, a young woman with so much ahead of her, this should not have happened.”

Syndra wrapped an arm around him and leaned against him. “I agree, but it has and now we must figure out some way to live with it.” To some she might sound cold, but Tamsin knew her. She knew that he understood her need to be doing something, to be moving toward a goal. And in grief, moving forward meant beginning the healing process. It wouldn’t happen overnight, or in a week, a month, or even a year, but if they could accept that Elora was gone, then at least they could begin moving in the right direction.

“I don’t know that Nedhudir will be able to accept that.” Tamsin was focused on the warrior that he’d known for millennia. She looked up at him and she could see the warrior’s pain reflected in her mate’s eyes.

Before Syndra could respond she, along with everyone else, fell to her knees. The once warm, stagnant air was now cool and vibrant as it filled the room. The grief that was nearly suffocating began to lift, and in its wake, comfort and compassion seeped in.

Syndra couldn’t move, but she wasn’t afraid, not anymore.

C
ush lifted his head as warmth flowed over him. He was surprised to see that everyone in the room save him were on the floor on their knees with their heads bowed. They didn’t seem to notice the light that was emanating off of the three beings standing on the opposite side of the bed where Syndra and Vyshaan had been.

Keeping Elora’s hand in his, he started to slide off of his chair to kneel.

“Stay where you are, warrior,” one of the Forest Lords told him gently.

Cush returned to his seat and bowed his head. “Have you come to take her soul?” His voice was calm, though on the inside he was anything but.

“We told you once before that it was not Elora’s time. The dark spell that was cast over her should have been destroyed when our daughter Syndra cast out the demon that inhabited these lands. However, it was not, because, Chamani, the demon’s conduit lived on. We have reached out our hands and taken the life of the one who took the life of one of ours. Our wrath has been satisfied and so we have come to return that which was taken.”

Cush watched in complete awe as the Forest Lords leaned over his Chosen. She was bathed in their light; her once pale skin glowed with the signs of life. They each laid a hand on her head and spoke as one. “Wake, daughter. There is more work for you to do. Wake and be healed.”

As suddenly as they had been there, they were gone, taking their light with them, but they left something much more beautiful behind.

The breath rushed out of Cush as he felt Elora’s hand squeeze his own. Her chest began to rise and fall as the life the Forest Lords had given her brought his Chosen back to him.

“Cush.” The sound of her voice filled every empty place inside of him. He felt her soul reach for his and he lost it.

Cush buried his face in the space between her neck and shoulder as fresh tears flooded his eyes. He felt her fingers glide through his hair as she pulled him closer. His arms wrapped around her and though he tried to be gentle he held her tightly to him. He could hear the chaos going on around them, but still he held on keeping her sheltered by his larger form.

“You were gone,”
he told her through their bond because he didn’t have the control to speak out loud.

“I’m here now,”
she said gently.

“You were gone,”
he repeated because the grief was still so near.
“And I was alone.”

“You are mine, Nedhudir, and I am yours. We will never be alone again, not in life nor in death.”

His body shook with adrenaline as reality crashed into him. His Chosen, Elora, his little raven, was alive.

Chapter 17

“Life is so fragile. Yet if you treat it like a breakable trinket, placing it on the shelf for safekeeping, you might as well have thrown it against the wall and shattered it, because either way you will have ceased to have lived.” ~Cassandra

“
M
arry me.” Cush’s voice filled the mostly dark room. The only light was from the candles that he’d lit when they had entered. Elora had known something was up when her warrior had brought her into the romantic atmosphere with that mysterious smirk plastered on his usually stoic face.

A month had passed since she had laid on a bed in a dirty, run down motel room and died while Cush held her. Elora didn’t remember anything during the time she had been lying there lifeless, but she remembered everything before. There had been many late night discussions as she tried to come to terms with how she had acted and felt while under the dark spell. Through his memories she had felt how painful it had been for him, and Elora felt like she needed to fix it somehow. Yet he kept telling her that there was nothing to fix because nothing was broken.

“And I will say it again if I need to,” he told her having picked up on her thoughts. “Let it go, Little Raven.” Cush lifted her chin to look up at him. “It was a trial that we endured. It is a part of our past. I’m talking about our future. Marry me.”

“Are you asking or tell me?”

“Yes.”

“Will you always be this demanding?”

“Yes,” he answered again.

“That could get annoying,” Elora said as her eyes narrowed on him.

Suddenly she was on her back with a very large light elf warrior hovering over her. His broad shoulders blocked out anything beyond him and he was all she could see. Cush’s eyes held a fierce emotion that she’d only seen when he looked at her.

“I won’t live without you. We belong together and I want all of you. I want to give you all of me. You have been raised human and I know your custom is to marry your mate before you become one. Don’t make me wait any longer, Little Raven. End my torture and marry me, please.” His deep, rich voice glided over her like the softest silk, wrapping her in his spell. How could she deny him, not that she wanted to, but honestly what woman could say no to that?

Elora continued to search his gaze. She had no doubt that Cush loved her and she loved him. She had no doubt that she wanted to be with him for the rest of her life, no matter how long that it was. “What about my dark side?”

His lips kicked up in a crooked smile, making him look even more dangerous as his hand glided up the outside of her thigh to her hip and then to her waist where it stilled. His fingers tightened, gripping her possessively. “I told you before, I’m happy to indulge whatever you need. When I say you are mine, I mean all of you, dark side included.”

“Okay then,” she said as she ran a finger down his strong jaw.

Cush’s brow rose as hope beamed back at her. “Okay then, as in yes?”

Elora nodded but stilled as soon as his lips pressed to hers. The world around her melted away as he became her only reality. She didn’t hear the knock at the door, nor did she care if the whole world was watching. All that mattered to Elora in that moment was the man who had captured her heart and showed her just how amazing it was to be needed, wanted, cared for, and chosen. Though she had been destined for him and him for her, he’d chosen her as well. Cush had made it clear time and time again that he would choose her above all others, protect her, love her, sacrifice for her, and shelter her.

“Either she said yes, you’re trying to convince her, or you lost a Jolly Rancher down her throat.” Syndra’s voice managed to penetrate their little bubble. “If it’s the first, get your butts up and let’s get this over with and then you can pick up where you left off.”

As Elora’s brain began to work again the she elf’s words sunk in. “What is she talking about?” she asked as she pulled back to look up at him.

“I told you I don’t want to wait any longer,” Cush answered, the familiar determined edge filled his tone.

“The reverend Tamsin will be presiding over the ceremony. Let’s go, chop chop.” Syndra clapped her hands attempting to hurry them along.

Cush pulled Elora to her feet. She knew the dumbstruck look on her face had to be comical, but truth be told that’s exactly how she felt—dumb and struck.

“Wait,” ―she held up her hand attempting to push Cush back― “you’re telling me that we are going to get married now? Like this?” She motioned to herself. She was wearing her signature black and purple get up: black skinny jeans, black combat boots, and a black fitted tee with a purple raven on the front.

“Oh, for quiver’s sakes,” Syndra huffed as she walked over to her and muttered something under her breath and waved a hand in front of Elora. “It’s not like you’re going to have it on for very long, not with the way he was pawing at you just a moment ago.”

Elora looked down at the transformation she had undergone. She now wore a black fitted corset and long flowing black skirt.

“I didn’t figure you’d want white,” Syndra smirked.

“Now can we go?” Cush asked as he reached for the still raised hand. He pulled her toward him and Elora stumbled a bit before righting herself and walking beside him. Was she really going to marry Cush right then? She’d said yes, but she’d also figured that they’d have a few months to plan it or something.

“Are you feeling overwhelmed
?”Cush spoke to her mind.

“What if I said yes?”

“I’d say soon enough you will be too distracted to care.”
He sent her a roguish wink as he looked down at her, not pausing his stride in the least. He finally stopped before a door and she realized it was her favorite room in the entire castle. Cassie called it the temple of doom. But to Elora it was peaceful. With its deep purple walls, black candelabras, and velvet black furniture, it was the perfect oasis. It was just a sitting room, or maybe more like a small library because of the shelves that lined one wall. The floor consisted of black obsidian tiles. Each alternating tile beset with a carving of a raven in flight. Cush had done it for her. One of the many ways he tried to meet her needs.

Elora could hear the murmur of voices behind the closed door. Her palms began to sweat and her heart beat a little harder in her chest.

“If this really is too much, we can wait,” Cush finally spoke as he turned to face her. His tall form towered over her, making her feel small but in no way insignificant. In fact she felt covered, sheltered, and safe. Elora tilted her head back to look up at him. She planned to marry him, so why not today? It wasn’t like there was anyone else better for her, nor would she ever want anyone else. Her mind jumped to what else being married to Cush meant—not just being tied to him for the rest her life—but to the intimate parts. Was she ready for that?

“I will wait for as long as you need. Marry me, Elora, but don’t worry about whether or not we will make love. If you aren’t ready, that’s okay.  I want you. Make no mistake, my desire is strong, but I will wait.” He brushed his fingers across her lips as he whispered again. “Marry me.”

She knew he was sincere. He wouldn’t pressure her into anything. “Let’s just handle one thing at a time,” she said as she smiled up at him. “I know that I want to marry you. So, let’s focus on that.” Elora let out a deep breath suddenly feeling lighter. She’d made the right decision. She belonged with Cush.

The door opened in front of them without their help and Syndra squeezed passed. “I give it a couple hours tops, and you’ll be begging him.”

“Syndra, you aren’t helping,” Cush rumbled.

She shrugged as she entered the room. “Who said I was trying to help you two? I’m trying to do the rest of us a favor. The tension between you two is wound so tight that you’re bound to snap at any moment, and I personally don’t want to be scarred for life if you finally go at it in the halls.”

“Syndra, behave yourself and get up here so you can be a witness.” Cassie’s voice carried from behind the former light elf queen.

Syndra rolled her eyes. “Good grief, give the girl a crown and she takes the whole damn kingdom,” she muttered as she gave Elora a wink and then turned and walked toward Cassie without a backwards glance.

Cush began to lead her again. Elora’s attention was drawn to, first, the people gathered and then the room itself. Only a few were present, for which she was very grateful. Cassie, Trik, Lisa, Tony, Rin, Oakley, Syndra and, of course, Tamsin all stood in a half circle by the one window in the room. It was a stained glassed depiction of a tall tree, bare of all its leaves with ravens resting on some of the branches. The glass had purple, blue, and black hues to it with a touch of yellow from the moon and stars that were a part of the scene. A single, tall candle sat on the sill, causing the glass to glow.

When they’d finally reached the small group, Elora glanced over at her mom. They had always been close, but after her brush with death, her relationship with her mom was deeper. Lisa had shared all about Steal and her life before he died. She talked about what it was like to live in the elfin realm and about how she and Syndra had become such good friends. It was like she was getting to know her mom for the first time. And realizing they were a lot more alike than Elora realized. She let go of Cush’s hand and walked over to her mom wrapping her in a hug. “Thank you for being my mom,” Elora whispered to her.

She felt her mom squeeze her a little tighter before letting go. “It is a privilege and honor, sweet girl.” Lisa gave her a warm, approving smile and added, “Love the outfit.”

“Wouldn’t expect anything less,” Cassie agreed. As she held her arms open for a hug, Elora grabbed her arm and jerked her into an embrace. “I’m so glad you didn’t die for good. I would have missed the crap out of you,” Cassie muttered causing both of them to laugh.

Elora pulled back to look at her. She bit her tongue to staunch the tears that threatened to fall. “I love you too, Cass.” Her voice was thick with emotion that she swallowed down as she stepped away from Cassie and looked at the man her best friend had fallen in love with.

Elora had liked Trik from the start, but after the conversation she’d had with him a week after the swamp catastrophe, she liked him all the more. Triktapic, king of the entire elfin race, came to her and knelt at her feet. At first Elora had thought it was a joke, Trik had a wicked sense of humor, but Cassie had been standing in the doorway of the room with a face full of worry.

“What’s going on, Cassie?” Elora asked her friend while looking down at the kneeling king.

“There is no easy way to say this.” Trik’s voice sounded as though he was in pain. “I am the one responsible for the death of your father.” He paused but began speaking again before Elora could stop him. “I won’t make excuses for what I did. All I can do is say that I am so, so very sorry.” He looked up at her and to her utter shock there was a sheen of wetness in his eyes.

Elora wasn’t sure what to do so she patted his shoulder and said, “Stand up, Trik.” He rose to his feet gracefully and met her eyes. “I knew about it, but I also know that you were a different person then. I know that since that time you have changed in many ways, and you have been broken by your past, only to then be built back up a better and more honorable man. If you need to hear it, then I will tell you. I forgive you.”

His eyes widened and after a few heartbeats he let out a slow sigh. “Thank you.”

Trik’s hand on her shoulder brought her back from the memory. “I’m happy for you, Elora. And I too am glad that you didn’t die for good.”

She grinned up at him and then hugged him. “Thank you.”

Trik pulled back until just his hands were on her shoulders. He glanced over Elora’s shoulder and then looked back down at her. “Your future husband is looking at me like he wants to stab me with that sword he’s always bragging about. It might be a good idea for you to go hug him.”

Elora rolled her eyes. “Literally about to marry him and he still feels the need to mark his territory.” She walked back over to her waiting warrior. “Quit glaring at Trik before he decides to whip out his quiver and arrows and shoot you.”

Cush’s lips twitched as he looked at her with a mischievous gleam. “Would you tend my wounds?”

“Yes, I’d cauterize them with a hot poker. Now are we doing this or what?”

“We are definitely doing this.”

Tamsin cleared his throat and Elora looked up at him. “Do you come of your own free will, Elora Scott?”

“Do I look tied up to you?” she asked with a smirk.

“Not yet,” Cassie coughed but the words were not lost.

Cush chuckled and the sound sent shivers down Elora’s back.

Tamsin smiled patiently at her.

“Yes, I come of my own free will,” she finally answered when she realized he wasn’t going to continue until she did.

Tamsin nodded and then looked at Cush. “You have the rings?”

Cush nodded as Elora’s head whipped up to look at him. He’d gotten them rings? Just how long had he been planning this?

Cush squeezed the hand he still held in his.
“Long enough,”
he answered her unspoken question.

Tamsin began to speak as Cush turned to face her and took both of her hands in his. Once again the world faded away and it was only them. She didn’t register most of what was said and yet managed to somehow speak the right words when it was time. Elora wondered if her face reflected even a portion of the adoration she saw in Cush’s face as he stared at her. Then he began to speak and tears began to blur her vision of him.