Mordred would gut them if he learned what they’d done. Fae and Elves came from the same stock, but after the civil war two centuries ago, the kingdom had split. Although Mordred had been raised in the Fae court, his Elven nature had won out, and he’d fought long and brutally to become the overlord. Even he wouldn’t raise his hand to a woman; besides, he wanted to ally with the Fae, not alienate them. Now Leonidas fought for his true-mate’s future—a win-at-all-costs battle. As Meena reluctantly followed the runaway inside, he considered the commander’s strengths. “You, Bryn, remember your oath, and keep your magic to yourself.” Oathbound and obedient, Bryn retreated behind the spell casters. Leonidas usually towered over his opponents, but the commander dwarfed him the way an elephant did a sleek panther. To command a squad, the man must be skilled, ruthless, and cruel—plus he outreached most of his opponents. He could thrust and kill before they reached him. But his belly was flabby and his bulk untoned.
