The Elven Celebration drew closer by the day. Aside from the growing number of elves on the streets, little had changed.
Annan took Prince Aidan around the places they had visited yesterday. The World Tree was forbidden to outsiders, and he was not naive enough to bring one there.
As they passed an elf shop with glittering ornaments hanging from its vines, Annan happened upon the Elf Mentor, who was out shopping with her friend.
"Annan!"
The Elf Mentor trotted toward him.
Prince Aidan smiled knowingly. "I'll leave you two to it."
"Remember to get back before evening..." Annan blurted out. Realizing that sounded like a "rule," he corrected himself. "I mean, don't stay out too late."
Prince Aidan paused, then smiled. "I understand."
"Who was that?"
Irilanze watched Prince Aidan walk away.
"Prince Aidan. My new friend."
"A new friend, or a new lover?"
"You really think that of me?"
"A book said that when a Sorcerer gets close to a man, either he's interested in the man, or he wants the man to be interested in him."
"What book?"
"One of those books with only men and women in them..."
Her friend came over, and Irilanze hurried to make introductions. "This is Hilde, my good friend and kinswoman. And this is my lover, Annan."
The tall Moon Elf named Hilde covered her mouth. "Irelaniel, you finally..."
Why did Irilanze's friend seem a little strange too...?
"I'm Annan Reeves, Irilanze's human friend." Annan introduced himself again.
"I know who you are..."
Hilde looked Annan up and down with unsettling intensity, but Irilanze stepped between them. "Shouldn't you be congratulating us, Hilde?"
"It seems a little early. I don't think he likes you that much..."
Annan watched the two, who had seemed so close a moment ago, turn on