“You do realize, Princess Alyssa Faeryn, daughter of the Forest of Light and child of the Tree of Life, that you cannot just marry any man,” Mel said seriously, and Lyssa frowned at them.
“Not without my approval and the council’s approval,” Moab said seriously, and a hollowness settled in Lyssa’s stomach.
“What are you saying, Your Highness?” Lyssa asked.
“Queen Moab, I, Malachai Carthagan, King of Carthagan, request the hand in marriage of your heir, Alyssa Faeryn, to my son, Melbourne Carthagan, as my reward for my service to your realm,” Melbourne said solemnly, bowing before her. The Elder Council twittered like a bunch of old human ladies.
“Did you promise a reward to King Malachai, my Queen?” Alifan, the head of the elder council, asked of Moab.
“Yes, I did. I told him he coul
