“Well thank goodness for small mercies,” she said as she blew out a weary breath. “Now why exactly are we in the bathroom?”

Trik shook his head as he looked briefly away from her. “I needed you to myself for a few moments,” he sighed then added. “I needed to calm down so that I didn’t kill those two men.”

Cassie’s eyes widened at his confession. “You aren’t going to kill them?” She was more surprised by the idea that he would let them live, not that he wanted to kill them.

“I didn’t say that. But for now I need them alive. Lorsan has a plan and they probably know at least a little about what it is. Once they give me all that they can, then I’ll decide their fate.”

“You know you don’t have to kill them,” she told him carefully, fully aware of how touchy he was when it came to her safety. “They can’t harm me, not anymore.”

Trik’s eyes met hers and she felt the intensity of his stare to her soul. It was as if he were stripping her bare, revealing every layer, shining light on every dark place. “It’s not about what they can or can’t do anymore, love. Some dark elves only understand one thing, and that is life and death. They only value one thing and that is themselves. To ensure that others do not come after you, I have to make an example of them. The dark elves have to know that I will not tolerate threats, and I will protect you at all cost.”

“And what about mercy? Don’t kings grant mercy?” she challenged. “Weren’t you granted mercy?”

“When it comes to your safety, your life, I have no mercy in me.”

Elora wiped drool from her bottom lip as she pushed away from the passenger side window where she had fallen asleep. She noticed the night was beginning to fade as it gave way to morning and the sky began to have a pinkish hue as the sun started to rise. As she stretched her arms above her head, she heard a throat being cleared. Her head turned slowly and she saw Cush’s light blue eyes raking over her.

“Sleep well?” his deep voice rumbled across the vehicle, causing warmth to spread inside of her.

“You totally just saw the drool didn’t you?” she asked, more annoyed than embarrassed.

“Could be worse,” he told her.

She snorted. “True, I could have farted,” her head snapped up. “Holy crap, tell me I didn’t fart,” she said desperately.

Cush chuckled. “My Little Raven is all flustered; it’s a cute look for you.”

She rolled her eyes and waved him off. “Whateve. So where are we?”

“We’ve been driving for about three hours, which, according to the GPS means we still have about three more to go,” her brother spoke up from the back seat.

“Do we have a plan for when we get there?” she asked Cush.

“Humans stay in the car while the elves burn down the place.”

“What?” she snapped. “You expect me to just sit back and watch while you get to go all Fourth of July on the dark-elf king?” She shook her head and folded her arms across her chest. “Nope, not gonna happen. This chick plays with matches.”

“She can’t blame that one on her dark side,” Lisa spoke up. “She totally gets that from me.”

Exactly two pee breaks, a snack break, several arguments, and three and a half hours later, Cush pulled onto the long dirt road that would supposedly lead them to the fields where the Almare plants were being grown. Having been at one time a famous vineyard, finding the farm hadn’t been too difficult.

He pulled over to the side of the road and turned the engine off. The tension inside the vehicle was palpable. None of the humans wanted to be left behind, and although Cush only cared what happened to Elora, he knew he had to protect the others because she cared for them.

“So, what’s it going to be, GI Joe?” Elora asked. “You gonna knock us out, tie us up, super glue our hands to the vehicle?”

Cush bared his teeth at her in frustration. Truth be told, he didn’t want her out of his sight. As long as he could see her, he could protect her. But if she knew he felt that way, she would use it to her advantage.

“Cush,” Lisa’s soft gentle tone floated up to the front of the cab. “I know that you are worried about her, believe me, as her mom I get that. But I also know that if you cage her, she will resent you. You have to let her come with you, you have to let her be where she belongs, and that is by your side.”

Cush knew she was right. He could feel the truth of her words all the way to his soul but the man in him wanted his woman as far from danger as possible. He felt a warm touch to his face and turned to face Elora. She had reached up and put her small hand on his cheek and seemed to be imploring him with her big, purple eyes.

“The truth, Cush?”

He nodded.

“The idea of not being able to see you is making me sick. The idea of not knowing if you are okay or if you need help is enough to drive me insane, and I have never felt this way about anyone. I’m totally out of my element with all of these touchy, feely, emotions and honestly, it’s making me want to hurt something. Please don’t leave me here. Don’t go where I can’t be with you.”

He nearly groaned at her heartfelt confession as he unsnapped her seat belt and hauled her across the console and onto his lap.

“This again? Come on, you two, seriously?” Cush heard Oakley’s words but ignored him, instead focusing on his Chosen.