Page 11 of Protected By the Elf Prince

There was a pause before he demanded, “What has happened?”

I allowed myself a small breath before I said the words that still felt profound, even now. “I have found my fated mate.”

Stunned silence met my declaration, followed by a sharp inhale, then by unmistakable joy in his one-word response. “Truly?”

“Yes, Father.”

A low laugh broke through the line, rich with emotion. “My son,” he said, unwavering pride in his tone now. “This is a blessing beyond measure.”

“It is,” I agreed quietly, my gaze drifting once more to the building before me.

“To think,” he continued, “that you would be the first among your brothers to find yours.”

A faint flicker of amusement touched me. “They will not be pleased.”

“No,” Father said, humor threading through his voice. “They will not.”

For a moment, I could almost hear my brothers’ disbelief and their irritation. Even their envy because they were older. But maybe the difference was that they did not venture beyond our world in search of their fated. They would never consider being with anyone outside of our own kind.

They may change their mind once they hear the news.

“You must bring him home,” Father said then, his tone shifting with purpose. “We would welcome him. He should be known to us. Honored as he deserves.”

My grip on the device tightened slightly. “I will,” I said. Then, more carefully, “When he is ready.”

A pause met that. “He does not yet accept the bond?” Father asked.

I winced. “No.”

“Ah.” Understanding settled quickly.

“He is human,” I explained. “This is… not a world he was aware of. The bond was revealed without warning.”

“A human?” I heard the surprise. “I never would have considered that possibility, but many of our kind do not travel like you do. Maybe there is hope for others to find their fated outside of our realm.” Father said. “You are certain he is yours, Dashiel?”

“Yes. The mark appeared on both of us.” There was no hesitation or doubt in that answer.

Father hummed. “Good. We will accept him as if he is one of us. He is a true gift. Do not worry, my son. He will come to understand in time.”

“I do hope he will,” I said. “But I will not rush him.”

“You care for him already?” Father quietly asked.

I looked toward the building again. Toward the place where he worked. Where he lived his life, unaware of how deeply he had already altered mine.

“I do,” I said simply.

A soft exhale came through the line. “Then you will do this correctly,” Father said. “As I have always known you would.”

I nodded. “I intend to.”

“Good,” he replied. “Win him, then. Not as Fate demands, but as he deserves.”

A faint smile touched my lips. “That is my intention.”

“Then you have my blessing, my son.”

“I am grateful.”