Death Wind (Elven Alliance #3) - Tara Grayce Page 0,31

other side. “We are allies. I know this isn’t a comfortable alliance yet, but we’re getting there. By the time this war is over, we’re going to get so used to fighting alongside each other that it will be inconceivable to fight against one another.”

Weylind raised an eyebrow, as if he didn’t believe that. But he did not bother contradicting Averett either. That was progress, perhaps.

As the servants unloaded the few belongings they had taken along, Essie surveyed the camp again. Several large tents had been set up near one of the largest trees. The command tents, and royal tents for Essie and her brothers.

It seemed strange to sleep in a tent here in Tarenhiel. She glanced upward, scanning the lower branches of the trees. She didn’t see any of the elven treehouses here, though that was not surprising. They had picked largely uninhabited areas of northern Tarenhiel for the three large encampments and their surrounding smaller camps. It would be hard enough keeping the peace between the Escarlish soldiers and the elven warriors. They didn’t want to risk any incidents with local citizens.

Would the elven army grow temporary shelters once they arrived? If they did, she might request one for herself.

Behind them, the train pulled away from the station, on its way to whatever the elves used to turn their trains around to send it down the parallel track back to Estyra.

Averett hefted the small bag of personal items he’d taken with him on the train. “Let’s get settled in. I believe the next train is due in about an hour.”

The next train would be carrying the first of the elven army assigned to this encampment. Everyone would be mustered with all due pomp and circumstance then.

Essie nodded but hesitated, glancing at Weylind. Besides the few elven servants and the lone guard who had come with them on the train, Weylind was one of the few elves there. A stranger inside his own kingdom right now. “You are welcome to take your ease in our tents, Your Majesty, until your army arrives.”

Weylind glanced at the tents, his lips pressing even tighter together.

Something in his stance reminded her of Farrendel. At times, Weylind could be just as shy and reticent as his younger brother. He had just gotten better at hiding it over the years.

After a moment, Weylind shook his head. “I believe I will begin growing my quarters.”

“Then I guess we might as well walk in the same direction.” Essie took a step, then turned back to him when he didn’t follow. She pointed at the large trees that sheltered the Escarlish command tents. “I’m assuming you’re going to be camping out in the trees above Averett’s tent. A show of solidarity among the leaders, or something like that. Also, it would probably be safer for both concerned if Averett’s tent was the one at the base of your tree and your quarters were above his tent. Not to mention easier to fetch both of you in case an incident does break out.”

Weylind eyed her, glanced around as if searching for Farrendel to fob her and all her talking off on him, then sighed. “Very well.”

She wasn’t sure if she had won him over through her logic or if he simply agreed to halt the flow of her words. Either way, she had gotten him moving in the right direction rather than frozen on the train platform gawking at the Escarlish army camped within his borders.

As they strode from the platform toward the command tents, several of the Escarlish soldiers bustling about halted to gape at King Weylind. Thankfully, none seemed too hostile. Just curious and in awe of the elven king striding through their midst.

Essie could barely wait for the first of the elven army to arrive. An army of elves was bound to be impressive all on its own, but if she had learned anything about elves in the past few months, it was that they were not above making a grand entrance when it suited them. She suspected their arrival at the Escarlish encampment would be one of those times.

Weylind made a soft, throat-clearing noise. “Is Farrendel still...”

“Alive.” The sense of the heart bond was nearly a constant presence in her chest now. Was this what the heart bond had always felt like to Farrendel? “But...”

Essie rubbed her chest. For the past few days, she had felt the way he was slipping away from her. He was dying. Not physically, though she could tell he was