The Warrior Elf by Mackenzie Morgan Read Free Book Online Page A

together, so I need this taken care of this week. When do you plan to go talk to Jared?”
    Kevin cleared his throat. “I’m sorry your life got interrupted, but I’m not responsible for that. Slavers have been raiding the coasts for years, and everyone who lives there knows it and accepts the risks. I am not to blame for your father’s death or your capture.” Doreen’s face hardened as she opened her mouth to speak, but Kevin raised his hand to stop her. “However, I will take you to Bushwell and let you talk to Jared yourself. The two of you can decide what you’re going to do. If he wants to marry you, I’m sure that can be arranged. You can stay in Bushwell until time for the wedding or you can come back here, whichever you prefer. But if he’s changed his mind, that’s none of my concern. No one should ever be forced to marry someone they don’t want to, and I will not do it.”
    “You have to make him honor his word,” Doreen demanded. “I’m supposed to have servants to handle the household tasks. I want the life I was promised, the life that was stolen from me when you let those slavers raid our shores! You need to fix this!”
    Kevin took a deep breath. “Yelling at me won’t do any good. I told you I’d take you to Bushwell and let you talk to Jared and I will, but you might want to take a different approach with him. Demanding that he marry you probably isn’t your best option.” Kevin paused and then asked, “Doreen, how well do you know Jared?”
    “I don’t know him at all. Jared and my father arranged everything in Bushwell. His business manager brought the contract to our house for my father to sign. Jared was supposed to, but his manager said he was too busy.” Doreen took a deep breath. “I want the life I was promised. If I don’t marry him, I don’t have anywhere to go or any way to live. I’ve already lost my home and my father. Don’t let me lose my future, too. Promise me you’ll make Jared honor his word so I can get my life back.”
    “All I can promise is to take you to Bushwell and let you talk to Jared. Then we’ll see where things stand.” A moment later, he added, “In the meantime, if I were you I’d ask some of the women around here how to approach Jared. I don’t think your way will work. Now, I hate to rush you, but I’ve got another meeting.” Kevin stood up and walked around to the front of his desk.
    “When can we go?” Doreen asked as she stood up. “I need to get this settled.”
    “I have a meeting tomorrow morning, but I should be done by lunch. Want to go then? Or would you rather wait and go in the evening, after dinner?”
    “After dinner is better for a personal call, and at that time I shouldn’t run into his business manager.”
    “Fine. I’ll meet you here tomorrow evening,” Kevin said as he ushered her through the door. As soon as she was out, he shut the door and leaned against it. “I did not see that one coming.”
    Chris laughed. “Did you hear a ‘thank you for rescuing me’ anywhere in there?”
    Kevin shook his head. “If I were Jared, I’d run for the hills, but personally I hope he marries her and takes her off our hands. Now, what’s next?”
    ~ ~ ~ ~
    Hayden and Xantha arrived in Willow Canyon shortly after lunch Monday afternoon. Glendymere was waiting for them outside. “Good afternoon, Hayden. Xantha let me know you were nearby. What can I do for you?”
    “Sorry to disturb you,” Hayden said as he dismounted, “but I need to speak with Rhianna.”
    Glendymere mentally asked Rhianna to come outside. “She should be here in a moment. You seem troubled. Is there anything I can do?”
    “Not yet, but I may need you before this is over,” Hayden said. “It depends on what she says.”
    Glendymere nodded.
    A couple of minutes later, Rhianna walked out of the cave. “Father? What are you doing here? Is mother all right? Has anyone been hurt?”
    Hayden shook his head. “It’s nothing like that.