Sold to the Dark Elf: A Dark Fantasy Romance

26. Karul

After the tense encounter with my jilted betrothed, I retreat to my study, craving solitude. My mind churns with doubts and unanswered questions. I know I dismissed her in front of Jasmine, but the sorceress”s veiled threats continue nagging at me.

“She’s going to be a problem,” I announce to the empty room without a doubt. “I know it.”

I pour myself a glass of rich elven wine, hoping to calm my nerves. But as I swallow the dark liquid, it only amplifies my agitation. I slam the glass down in frustration.

Getting to my feet, I begin pacing, emotions boiling inside me unchecked. Jasmine knocked earlier, her concern evident even muffled through the heavy door. It tore at me to dismiss her so brusquely. But I cannot pull her into this brewing storm.

Rubbing my throbbing temples, I mentally sift through the sorceress”s vague warnings, searching for any grain of truth. But my chaotic thoughts only spiral darker, like water sucked down a drain.

A firm knock interrupts my corrosive brooding. Before I can respond, Aqura enters, reading the turmoil on my face instantly. His reassurances provide momentary relief, but uncertainty continues gnawing at my composure…

“We’re doomed… completely fucked. Everything is a waste. I am a failure… just like my father said. Why didn’t I just agree to the marriage? The money… the prestige…”

“My friend, you are yet again in rare form. Calm yourself, sit down, and have a drink.”

“Oh, I assure you, drinks are not what we are lacking. Are you listening? Completely fucked. Did you see how entirely and absolutely pissed off my father and his goons were?”

“You have nothing to worry about,” he says, having a seat in the study we’ve conferred in so many times. But this time is different.

This time I am truly and perfectly fucked.

“It’s a contract marriage, is it not?” Aqura soothes me, trying his best to steady my anxious mind. “And it was done in secret, long before your father tried to sell your hand to the highest bidder.

Any way you look at it, it was an overreach on your father’s part. And how could they reliably tell if you don’t actually love your new wife? It’s all absurd. Any accusations would be baseless.”

I pace my study, running an agitated hand through my hair. “That insufferable woman and her threats have put my future plans in jeopardy… The bitch. The filthy rotten bitch, fuck me!”

“Listen to me,” Aqura pleads.

“Fuck me up and down, the low gods and the–” I continue.

Aqura steps towards me. “That is not going to happen. Listen to me. We covered our bases.”

“Covered our bases? If she exposes my original vengeful motivations for marrying Jasmine, everything I”ve built could come crashing down,” I say, taking another swig of this garish strong liquor that makes me feel like a damn filthy orc. “And I cannot risk losing Jasmine - not when… I just can’t lose her, understand?”

Aqura grasps my shoulder firmly. ”I have investigated her thoroughly since her visit. There is nothing - no proof, no records of our arrangement, not even idle gossip among the nobility.”

”But how can you be certain we did not overlook something?” I say. “If any document surfaces of my original vengeful motives...”

”It would hold no power, even if such evidence existed, which I assure you it does not.”

I begin to pace, unconvinced. ”But if her family discovers the marriage began as a farce...”

Aqura cuts me off. ”Which would require them to have access to legal records we long ago destroyed. Your mind conjures phantoms. There is nothing for them to expose.”

I halt my pacing, wrestling with my doubts before considering conceding. ”Forgive me, old friend. With you vouching for our security, I should not second-guess.”

Feeling reassured by Aqura”s steadfast counsel, I suggest we take some refreshments. I ring for a servant, and soon a procession arrives bearing trays of food and drink.

They set places for us at the table by the mullioned window, arraying petite finger sandwiches with meticulously cut crusts, an assortment of pickled vegetables, wafer-thin slices of smoked meats, and poached salmon garnished with herbs.

A servant presents the wine selection and I choose a light summer vintage to complement the fare.

The crystal glasses are brought in with the pale, honey-hued wine, beads of condensation already forming on the surface from the chill of the cellar. Another servant appears carrying a tray of tiny rose-scented cakes dusted with powdered sugar for dessert. After a few moments of enjoying the spread, Aqura sets down his wine glass. ”Now, let us discuss solutions. What assets can be used to counter this vexatious woman?”

I dab my mouth with the linen napkin, considering. ”Coin, I have plenty of, but I doubt she can be bought off.” I drum my fingers on the table. ”No, it will take more subtle maneuvering.”

Aqura nods thoughtfully. ”Perhaps we ought to revisit the status of certain properties. For instance, the mithril mines to the north?” He raises a questioning eyebrow.

I catch his drift immediately. Those mines remain the crown jewel of my inheritance. ”You believe gifting them to secure greater influence could shift the scales?”

”It may gain powerful allies and cast doubts upon any accusations from your enemies,” Aqura suggests cannily.

I smile slowly. ”Old friend, I should have known you already have machinations in motion.” I lean forward eagerly. ”Tell me, what grand scheme have you devised?”

Aqura”s eyes take on a sly gleam. ”Let us just say I have reached out to the palace on your behalf. Presenting the King certain riches can sway his favor most advantageously...”

He spreads his hands. ”Of course, I would not dream of making such a monumental move without your consent. But now I stand ready to act in your best interests.”

I grasp his arm gratefully. ”Do it. You have my full trust.” I sit back, smiling. ”With you as my strategist, I fear no venomous sorceresses or their threats.”

I tap my chin thoughtfully. ”Gifting the mines could be seen as weakness...but it may also blind the King to certain past irregularities.”

Aqura nods. ”Power and riches are the only language the elven nobility understands.”

I let out a derisive snort. ”Too true, my friend. Wave enough gold under their noses, and past sins are forgotten.”

”Exactly.” Aqura refills our glasses. ”Securing the throne”s favor ensures no accusations can gain traction. It is the wisest course.”

I swirl the wine pensively. ”You make a compelling case. And I am weary of looking over my shoulder.” I meet Aqura”s gaze. ”Very well. It seems you have a solution.”

Aqura smiles. ”I will draft the order of gifts immediately if you consent.”

”More ink and parchment,” I signal the servant. “We have a declaration to compose.”

The servant rushes off. I raise my glass to Aqura. ”To finding peace and shutting the mouths of vipers.”

”I will drink to that,” Aqura chuckles.

Moments later, fresh supplies are arrayed on the table before us. I hand the quill to Aqura. ”You have the cleverest turn of phrase, my friend. The honor should be yours.”

With heads bent together, we carefully craft the document that will be my olive branch to the king. It will be the perfect bait to keep him blind to the past and win me leverage. By day”s end, the mines will no longer be mine, but the future will be all the more secure.

The afternoon passes swiftly as we polish the declaration until we are fully satisfied. Aqura stretches and stands. ”I will see this delivered to the royal envoy at once.”

I clasp his shoulder gratefully before he takes his leave, bearing the document that will be my lifeline. The weight I”ve carried feels lifted, knowing Aqura acts in my best interests.

The sun sinks low outside the study windows as I tidy up the remains of our meeting. Despite the progress made, I feel a pang, remembering Jasmine”s hurt expression when I dismissed her earlier.

I make my way upstairs, hoping despite the late hour, she will still be awake. I owe her an explanation and a long overdue confession. My steps quicken, imagining her reaction to my words of love.

I enter my bed chamber softly, not wishing to wake her. But there, Jasmine waits up for me, an angel in gossamer night clothes, more stunning than any vision my mind could conjure.

My breath catches at the sight of her. In the candlelight, I read the love in her eyes that mirrors my own. My future, my destiny - she waits before me. All is right in my world again.

”Karul,” she purrs invitingly.

But as I draw nearer, something in her expression stops me short. Behind the sultry facade, her eyes are clouded with distraction, her smile painted on.

I sit gingerly beside her. ”Jasmine, is everything all right?”

Jasmine”s alluring facade crumbles. She looks aside, lower lip trembling. ”It”s nothing you need to worry about. I don”t wish to burden you.”

I cup her cheek, guiding her gaze back to mine. ”No burden at all. Please, let me in.”

She wavers, emotions warring on her face. But finally, she shakes her head sadly. ”Not yet.”

Though it pains me to see her struggling alone, I simply open my arms in acquiescence. She burrows into my embrace, and I feel the tension slowly ease from her body.

But then she lifts her head, her lips brushing mine and all thought leaves me. I want nothing more than to devour the taste of her.

Chapter 27