Hidden Darkness (Hidden Saga Book 4) Read Online Free PDF

to keep to his vow of pre-marital chastity.
                  Grandma pulled the dress from a large wooden wardrobe. Well, what do you think?
                  “Oh, it’s so beautiful. Do you think it’ll fit?” I took the delicate dress from her and held it up. Like all Elven-made clothing, it felt so light, it was like holding a tissue rather than a garment. They felt wonderful on, like being naked—but warmer.
                  Slipping it over my head, I went to stand in front of the mirror above her dressing table.
                  “It fits,” she said, slipping back into verbal communication as she often did when I was around. She came up behind me and fastened the back buttons then planted a kiss on my cheek.
                  “You look like the princess you are.” Pride shone in her eyes as she smiled at me in the mirror, and warmth rushed through my heart.
                  If I wasn’t so selfish, I’d say the best thing that had come of my meeting Lad was that Grandma Neena had been reunited with her family after forty years of estrangement. She was the happiest I’d ever seen her. Though her hair was white, as it had been since her twenties, she appeared younger and healthier, too.
                  “Well, I hope I can look the part,” I told her, feeling a simmer of nerves in my belly. “Because I guess that’s my future—receiving emissaries, being the royal hostess. Today’s just the start.”
                  I would never have an actual leadership role here. For one thing, I was female, and that wasn’t how Light Elven hierarchy worked. For another, I wasn’t fully Elven. I was only accepted because of Lad. But I was happy just to be allowed to be with him in his kingdom. It was enough. And he wasn’t the least bit ashamed of me, making sure we were seen together as often as possible.
                  For today’s event, we’d be seated side by side in the front of the great hall. I was a bit nervous about that, unsure of how his people would see it, since we weren’t married yet, and I wasn’t actual royalty until that day.
                  The hall was already nearly full when we got to the small room adjoining it, and I peeked through the door.
                  You’ll be fine. Grandma squeezed my hand, obviously reading my anxiety. When in doubt, just smile and pretend you’ve seen it all before.
                  I grabbed her hand tighter. I don’t know if I’m ready for this.
                  Sure you are, darlin’. And ready or not, that boy needs you.
                  I nodded rapidly. Yes. Okay. Lad needed me. I could do it for him. I’d just pretend I’d seen it all before. And that I wasn’t about to throw up.
                  Grandma went to sit with her sister and parents while I waited for Lad. A few minutes later, he swept in with a rush of energy and fresh, woodsy-scented air. His gaze fell on me, and his eyes sparked with pleasure.
                  “Good morning.” His greeting was punctuated with a vigorous kiss.
                  The nerves in my belly were replaced with a pleasant tingle as if I’d bitten into the most decadent frosted cupcake. Yes, this was where I was meant to be—wherever he was—no matter what that entailed. “Good morning yourself. You’ve been outside.”
                  “I went for a little walk before having to spend the day cooped up doing business.”
                  “A walk in the treetops, no doubt.” I laughed. “Did you get a look at her?”
                  He knew I meant Ava, who was rumored to be exceptionally beautiful in person. When Lad told me she was a model, of course I looked her up online. And yes, she was stunning, but you never knew—sometimes people looked different up