Elven Oath

Chapter 14

Vevina

A odhan’s voice was steady as he finished telling me everything they’d uncovered. It felt surreal, as if I’d fallen into a nightmare that I couldn’t wake from.

“They kidnapped the last Dragon Princess,” he says, his golden eyes locked onto mine, concern shadowing their usual warmth. “It wasn’t the Elves. It was the wizards all along.”

I nod slowly. All the hatred, all the bloodshed between our races... based on a lie. I felt an overwhelming surge of anger, not just at the wizards, but at the long, bitter years of loss and war that could have been avoided. “So, the war started because of a misunderstanding,” I say softly, my voice trembling slightly. “All that death...”

Aodhan’s jaw tightens. “Yes. And they’ve been using it ever since to keep us divided.”

Before I can reply, there’s a knock at the door. One of the guards enters, a younger dragon with nervous energy. “A messenger has arrived, Princess,” he announces, handing me a sealed scroll.

The moment I see the familiar seal, my heart clenches. It’s from my father. I hadn’t heard from him since I was married off to Aodhan, not in any personal way, and now, of all times, he decides to reach out? I swallow hard, feeling Aodhan’s curious gaze on me as I broke the seal open.

The scroll was old, worn; clearly it had been delayed for some time. The parchment felt fragile between my fingers as I unrolled it and began to read. My father’s handwriting was unmistakable, though it was messier than usual, as if he had written it in haste.

"My dearest Vevina,

I hope this message reaches you safely, though by the time it does, much will have already unfolded. I can only ask for your understanding and forgiveness for what I am about to reveal..."

My breath catches as I read on, my heart pounding in my chest. He knew. My father had known all along, about everything.

"I now understand who our true enemies are, but I could not act earlier without risking your life. My advisor, the one I trusted most, was a traitor. He was working for the enemy, keeping me in the dark and manipulating events to serve their plans. Only now can I begin to unravel the damage that has been done."

I pause as my hands tremble slightly. The traitor... it made sense now, why everything had felt so rushed, so chaotic before my marriage.

"I’m sorry, my sweet Vevina, for the role you were forced to play without understanding why. Marrying you to the Dragon Prince was my only way to ensure your safety, as well as the safety of our people. I knew that, with the dragons at your side, you would stand a better chance against the enemies that would soon reveal themselves."

The words blur as tears gather in my eyes. So, my father had known about Aodhan and me, about the bond that could form between us. He had sent me into this marriage not just for politics, but for survival. He hadn’t abandoned me like I thought he had. He had been playing a dangerous game, one where he couldn’t let me in on the truth until now.

"There are darker forces at work than even the wizards. They’ve allied with a race called the Humans, a people with no magic who seek to dominate the world and rid it of all who wield power beyond their control. They wish to see the dragons extinct and the elves enslaved—or worse."

I gasp softly, the shock of his words hitting me like a cold wind. Humans? I had heard stories of them, but to think they were working with the wizards, planning the destruction of everything we knew... it was terrifying. Aodhan, who had been reading my expressions silently, tensed at the mention of the humans.

"I could not tell you any of this before, for fear it would put you in even greater danger. But now that you are with Aodhan, I trust you are safer than you would ever have been in our kingdom. Together, you two are stronger than you know. The bond between an elf and a dragon is a rare and powerful thing, and it may be the key to saving us all."

I lower the letter, my chest tight with the weight of my father’s words. The bond between Aodhan and me... my father had known. He had understood the significance of it even before I did. But there was more. I glance at the final lines, dreading what else he might say.

"Prepare, Vevina, for there is a great battle ahead. We must join forces with the dragons to defeat our common enemy. I will come to you as soon as I can secure the kingdom, and we will fight together. But know this—you are more important than you realize. And when the time comes, if you are to become a mother, send word to me immediately. I long to meet my grandchild."

A grandchild. My father... he was already thinking of the future. My cheeks flush.

"Is everything alright?" he asks, his voice filled with concern. His golden eyes searching my face, and I can see the worry about what my father’s letter might contain.

I hesitate, then nod. "Yes," I say, though my voice is a little shaky. "It’s... it’s a lot to take in. My father knew more than we thought he did. He’s asking for our help, and he plans to join forces with the dragons against the wizards and humans."

Aodhan’s gaze softens as he steps closer, placing a hand on my shoulder. "We’ll fight together," he says quietly. "I’d never let anything happen to you." He pulls my palm up to his lips, giving me a soft kiss.

I meet his gaze, and for the first time, I feel the full weight of what lays ahead. It wasn’t just about us anymore, or even our people. It was about the future; our future, and the future of the world we both wanted to protect.

“We’ll see this through to the end, no matter how long it takes. In the meantime, I’d like to fall more in love with my wife.” He whispers as my heart speeds up at his words. “That okay with you, Sweet?”

With a grin spreading across my face, I throw my arms around his neck. “Yes.” I answer with a giggle.

As he takes my lips with his own, I realize just how intertwined our destinies had been woven by the Gods above.

Whatever trials the future holds, we are stronger together.

The End...