Lovers of Legend Read Online Free PDF

table. His finger tapped the side impatiently. "Your father has little honor if he refuses to tell his daughter her destiny," he murmured.
    "What is my destiny?" I questioned him.
    He smiled. It was a small, mischievous smile. "The destiny of the last daughter of your house is to marry the last male in my line," he told me.
    I stared dumbly at him. "Surely. . .surely you jest," I replied.
    Ethan shook his head. "No, the pact is written in this contract." He pulled forth the paper and tossed the envelope to me. "Read it if you will."
    I stood and glared at him. Of all the insolence this man dared against my family this was certainly the worst. It was no wonder my father was so angry at him. "But I have read it, and there was nothing about marriage. It is merely a thank-you from my father to your ancestor," I argued.
    "Read it in the light of the fire with the paper faced toward the flames," he suggested.
    "What is that to do with anything?" I snapped.
    "It has to do with everything, but if you will not take my advice I will show you myself." Ethan removed the letter and moved to stand before the great fire. He unfolded the paper and held it out so the back of the paper was lit by the light of the fire. "Tell me what you see," he requested.
    I hesitantly followed him. A nob in my stomach told me something was amiss. I glanced over the inked thank-you. "I see nothing but a land grant," I replied.
    "Look closer," he advised.
    I scowled, but looked closer. As I did the flames grew taller and brighter. The ink seemed to run together and swirl around the paper. The words reformed to create a new letter. Gone was the land contract, and in its place was a marriage contract. My eyes flitted over the contents and they widened as I absorbed the document in all its foolishness.
    "Will you read it to me?" Ethan asked me. My mouth moved, but no sound came out. I stumbled back and fell into my seat. "Then I will read it," he offered. He turned the paper to himself and read what I had read. "This contract made in the two-thousandth and thirty-sixth year of the Elven calendar hereby grants to the family of the woodsman the title of Steth in reward for ridding the woods of the black wolves. I, Lord Stethana, also grant that should I bare no son and but a daughter, I will gladly grant her hand in marriage to the eldest eligible male of the line of Steth. All the lands shall then pass to the family of Steth unless all the eligible males refuse the honor. Then will I, Lord Stethana, be free to grant her hand to anyone I so choose." Ethan lowered the paper, and when the light faded so did the secret message. The ink reverted to the land contract.
    "What could my father have been thinking?" I murmured.
    "The black wolves were a pestilence on his lands and the surrounding countryside. My ancestor was very skilled in magic and rid your father of their presence. His asking price for such a dangerous task was not too high for at the time Lord Stethana had no children and had every plan to sire a son," Ethan told me.
    I shook my head. "My mother could not conceive another, and by our laws my father could not remarry," I replied.
    "Yes, he has been caught between his oath and the elven laws, but I will keep him to his word," Ethan affirmed.
    I snapped my head up and looked at him in horror. "How could you say such a thing? Have I no right to choose my own husband?" I countered.
    "Even if you were not betrothed to me would your father give you that right?" he wondered.
    "I-I-" I stuttered. He was right. My father had no intention of letting my heart choose. I would be Steven's intended bride regardless of this marriage contract. Still, this was ridiculous. "But surely you see we cannot be a match. I am an elf, and you are but human. You would die long before I, and our children would be shunned by everyone," I pointed out.
    He smiled, and by the light of the fire I could see it was quite alluring. For a human, that is. "Unbeknownst to your father my