Quinn removed one hand from her muff and set it on top of Emerys’. “And I will miss you.”
Emerys groaned. “Why does it have to be this way? I’m king. Can’t I just crown you my queen and marry you tomorrow?”
Quinn rubbed his hand. “Not in these times, my king.”
Slowly, Emerys moved his hand so he could brush her jawline with his fingertips and then did the same to her ear.
“You really do like my ears, don’t you?”
“They’re so blasted cute, and I don’t understand why,” Emerys said.
Quinn chuckled. “There’re things I find cute about you, too. For instance, when you transform into a wolf pup.”
Emerys growled in his throat but kissed her ear before adjusting his grasp on her and tugging her around so they faced each other. “You’ll be careful while you’re with Angelique?”
“Yes. You won’t push your limits to free your warriors?” Quinn asked.
Emerys pressed his lips together.
“Emerys,” Quinn said in a warning tone.
“I won’t,” he promised. “War approaches,” he added.
“With the Chosen?”
He nodded. “They gave up all pretenses of remaining hidden when they gathered that goblin army.”
“Yes, but, where are they?” Quinn asked.
“A key question to which we unfortunately don’t know the answer. It’s why we need to free the warriors.” Emerys met her gaze, and the blue of his eyes seemed especially intense. “I also need you, Quinn.”
Quinn cocked her head. “I’m just one soldier. I won’t make much of a difference.”
Emerys tugged her closer. “No. I need you because I love you.” He lightly kissed her, then pulled back after a moment. “Will you be my queen and the queen of my people?”
“I’m not lovely, or wise, or learned—something all elves seem to be,” Quinn said. “How could you make me their queen?”
“Because you are Quinn of Midnight Lake—the brave soldier of Band Gallant, the rescuer of the Elf King, the breaker of curses, and the speaker of truth. You are more than a soldier, Quinn. More than a mere human. I’ll ask again. Will you be my queen?”
She breathed in a deep, shuddering sigh, then nodded. “If your people will have me.”
Emerys chuckled. “They’ll rejoice,” he promised. “When the day of our wedding comes, you will see a true elven celebration. And until then, my heart will go with you every step of the way.”
Recognizing the old elven saying, Quinn slipped her hand into his. “And the darkness will never part us.”
He smirked a little. “You’ll never be alone again.”
Quinn squeezed his hand. “I know. I love you.”
“I love you, too, but I wasn’t talking about us. I meant my people. Just you wait. You’re never going to get a moment to yourself again. It’s awful.”
“I’m starting to wonder why Alastryn hasn’t created a spell to silence you during important occasions,” Quinn sighed.
“She has. It took me two years to learn how to counter it,” Emerys said proudly.
“Perhaps she should develop a new one.”
“So cynical, my queen!”
Quinn laughed and embraced Emerys, King of the Elves and the love of her life, before they turned—arm in arm—to join the festivities and laughter.
THE END
For free short stories and more about the Twelve Dancing Princess, visit kmshea.com!
Afterword
Thank you for reading The 12 Dancing Princesses, I hope you enjoyed Quinn’s story! If you want to read more of my work, sign up for my newsletter to receive my free K. M. Shea Starter Pack ebook.
It contains:
A King Arthur and Her Knights prequel short story
A Red Rope of Fate prequel short story
An original fairy tale, Princess Snow and Queen Ruby
My newsletter is released every month, and contains information about contests, new freebies—like short stories and extra scenes—free books, and reader opinion polls.
Thank you for your support and encouragement. I am proud to say I have the best readers. Therefore, it is my dearest wish that Quinn and her friends made you laugh, and warmed your heart. Thank you.
Other books by K. M. Shea
Life Reader
Princess Ahira
Timeless Fairy Tales
Beauty and the Beast
The Wild Swans
Cinderella
Rumpelstiltskin
The Little Selkie
Puss in Boots
Swan Lake
Sleeping Beauty
Frog Prince
12 Dancing Princesses
The Snow Queen:
Heart of Ice
Sacrifice
Snowflakes: A Snow Queen Short Story Collection
The Elves of Lessa:
Red Rope of Fate
King Arthur and Her Knights:
Enthroned
Enchanted
Embittered
Embark
Enlighten
Endeavor
Endings
Three pack 1 (Enthroned, Enchanted, Embittered)
Three pack 2 (Embark, Enlighten, Endeavor)
Robyn Hood:
A Girl’s Tale
Fight for Freedom
The Magical Beings’ Rehabilitation Center:
Vampires Drink Tomato Juice
Goblins Wear Suits
The Lost Files of the MBRC
Second Age of Retha: Written under pen name A. M. Sohma
The Luckless
The Desperate Quest
About the Author
K. M. Shea is a fantasy-romance author who never quite grew out of adventure books or fairy tales, and still searches closets in hopes of stumbling into Narnia. She is addicted to sweet romances, witty characters, and happy endings. She also writes LitRPG and GameLit under the pen name, A. M. Sohma.
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