@rrrawrf-rewrites, @scribble-dee-vee, @forthesanityofsome @meanceclosetohell and YOUUUUUUU!
Putting the snippets under a cut cuz I can't be bothered to edit them rn but I might feel up for it later also it got kinda long oops
1
“Relax. As long as you don’t murder anyone, these talks will be the most peaceful interaction we’ve had with humans since the war ended,” Del mumbled while they waited. “It’ll be fine even if you don’t speak. Or smile. Or make any sort of positive impression.”
“Uh-huh. I’m sure they’ll love giving their princess away to the meanest-looking asshole in the Given Earth.”
“Meanest-looking? No-no, dear prince, you’re a pretty elf boy. Humans find elves irresistible, you know. Just pout and bat your little eyelashes, and they’ll let you get away with just about anything.
Roel grimaced, hand tightening around the hilt of his sword.
“Wonderful.”
2
Mother sat down next to Teddy, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Nobody can force you to marry against your will, Theodosia. No matter who says what, no matter the so-called political benefits or diplomacy. You are not cattle to be traded.”
Mother glared at Elias, who winced, “Stop. I didn’t bring Teddy up to trade her.”
“Then why did you?”
“And why not? Is this better? What’s left for her here, where she’s not allowed into the royal palace without an invitation? Where her own mother and siblings can’t see her without sneaking behind the king’s back like criminals? She didn’t do anything wrong!”
3
“Ted? Is everything alright?”
He put rubbed her back gently. It made the tears sting harder, and she blinked them away stubbornly. If people noticed Efra, they’d notice her and her expression, and that would lead to gossip. Better to have the elves be the main talking point rather than the queen’s rejected child having a crisis.
“Yes, I’m fine,” she sighed deeply.
“Are you sure? I could tell them to wait.”
“No, it’s fine. I was just remembering some things. Nothing to worry about.”
She forced a smile. Efra didn’t seem convinced, but this wasn’t the time to figure out Teddy’s emotional traumas. He had to drop it almost as much as she.
“The elves are ready to meet me, I assume?” she said when he kept staring at her with that worried expression.
“Yes. But I’d rather come up with an excuse than have you break down in front of them.”
“’Break down’?” Teddy scoffed. “Please. If I were breaking down, there would be casualties.”
4
“I forgot that humans welcome women in combat,” Del said thoughtfully. “Androel, would you consider this a virtue or a flaw in a woman?”
Roel hated his brother in that moment, when Del forced all eyes to land on him.
He grunted vaguely, “Depends on who she’s fighting.”
5
“Do you have magic too, Lady Frye? Were you blessed by your goddess?” Roel wondered, genuine curiosity softening his tone.
Lady Frye smiled demurely. “I have been blessed by Etheme as well as any other member of my family, Your Highness. Even if it was never quite so obvious as those of my siblings, I am still grateful for it.”
“For what?” Roel pressed.
Her smile took on a strained edge. “One must be grateful for everything Etheme deems fit to give. My only gifts were a full belly and a loving family.”
So she hadn’t received a blessing, then. She had no magic. Wasn’t that so much easier to say than whatever other nonsense she’d been going on about?
The song was coming to an end. Soon, they parted, and Roel bowed along with the other men. She curtsied deeply.
“Thank you, Prince Androel,” she said. “I hope we can dance again sometime.”
He didn’t.
6
“But don’t you want to choose who you marry?” Mother asked. “What if they demand heirs? What then?”
Teddy hadn’t thought that far. Or rather, she hadn’t wanted to think that far. The idea of simply sharing a bed with Prince Androel made her queasy enough, but imagining touching him? Or him touching her? It made her want to peel her skin off.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. If we get there. Aren’t you worried a little too prematurely? What if Prince Androel says no?”
She half hoped he would.
Mother shook her head, “I spoke with King Roendel. The prince is willing.”
Oh. So it was really happening.
After that awful first meeting, too! It seemed the prince must’ve had his own reasons for accepting, since he was openly disgusted with her.
And every other human.
And everything in general.
7
“How long do I have to stay?”
“There is no time requirement, Your Highness, and you may leave whenever you please. Though I would recommend staying for the better part of an hour at the very least, if you cannot tolerate a whole night.”
“Can you?” he challenged.
“I don’t see why not. I’ve a good book, some hot tea and biscuits, and it’s a warm summer night. There are worse ways to spend an evening.”
“Where will you sleep?”
“In the bed.”
“And where will I sleep?”
Theodosia pursed her lips, her cheeks bursting with sudden color. “I’m sure the bed can accommodate two people.”
“Which part of ‘I am not touching you’ escapes your understanding?” Roel sneered.
“If at least one of us is awake when physical contact accidentally happens, we each would be able to stop it. And if it happens while we’re both asleep, what difference does it make?”
