Morpheus simply vanishes into the night and I stand there staring out until a shiver of cold sends me scurrying inside. I have no idea what just happened. Well apart from the fact that I was a complete idiot. He cast some kind of spell over me. I didn't understand the words he used, nevertheless, I felt their power.

Blood bound! It really doesn't sound good.

I run upstairs and rummage around in my underwear drawer until my fingers snag on a leather cover. I don't particularly relish reading the 'black book'. However, what is the saying? Know thy enemy. I need to find out what I'm up against.

Agitated, I roughly flick through the book, starting from the front and my eyes scan for the term 'blood bound'. The first few pages actually look quite interesting and are all about elven history and the workings of the court, but I don't have time for that right now.

I stop when I get to the bit on courtship and start to feel rather nauseous. Apparently, the male should offer gifts to the female he is courting as a gesture of his esteem. A collar, cuff or ring are all highly recommended.

It gets worse. A blood bond is a sacred, life-long bond made between two elves, one that can only be broken through death. It sounds tantamount to an engagement. I can't believe that slippery bastard tricked me into this. I hurl the book across the room.

Sorry Grandmother! She could never abide swearing, but in this instance, I think I am justified. Ok, if I'm being completely honest, then I have to admit that Morpheus does have a kind of magnetism. But, and this is a big but, that does not mean I want to be shacked up with him for eternity.

I am in such trouble. If I do not get away, I am completely screwed. Literally! I pace the room, fretting and am so absorbed in my thoughts that I don't hear my bedroom door opening.

"Daughter dearest, what troubles you so?" I start at the sound of my father's voice.

"I need to leave. I can't stay here," I blurt out and I feel dreadful to bring such a wounded expression to his face.

"Are you so very unhappy here?" His shoulders sag.

"No, I'm not. It's not you. I love living with you, it's just the rest and I've done something stupid." My gaze travels over to the black book lying rakishly on the floor. "I have inadvertently gotten myself blood bound."

"You have done, what?" His voice steadily rises in volume and he appears even angrier than he did upon hearing about that incident with Nero.

I bury my head in my hands and mumble, "I'm sorry. I'm so naïve. I didn't know."

"No, it is I that should be apologising. I am not angry with you. You are not old enough to have made such a decision. Who dared to instigate this?" A twisted smile curls on his face. "There is one way to sever such a bond."

This scary side of my father is unsettling. I may not want the king, but recognise that he is important to Elysium, so explain, "It's Morpheus."

"Ahh." Father takes a sharp intake of breath. "Never fear, I will protect you. I will not allow you to be alone with him."

"That will not stop him because he can just freeze you if he wishes to be alone with me."

"Freeze me?"

"He does this thing where you go like a statue."

"If I cannot protect you, then mother can. There is hope. If you find one who makes your soul sing, then they can make a counter claim with a soul bond. It is what we elves all ultimately seek."

Like I need any more bondage. "Father, there is more. I need to continue my quest to find the Light of Elysium. Will you help me to leave?"

He looks into my eyes and nods. "How can I deny my only daughter? Since Morpheus has made such a bold move, I think it best if you leave tonight. He will not expect it. I can cloak your presence and enable you to slip out of the city walls without the guards being aware. Do you have a destination in mind?"

"I need to use the east gate and get down to the river."

"Very well." His gaze falls to my scarlet dress and the tiniest frown wrinkles his brow. "I will await you downstairs."

I change into a less conspicuous dress and take the stairs slowly. Now that it has come to it, part of me doesn't want to go. I'm getting sick of my transient life. It seems that as soon as I find a place to settle, I am moving on. How many times do I have to say goodbye?

The front door shuts behind us with a finality and I walk away from another home. Outside, the night is as somber as my mood with a sky blanketed in cloud and damp mist curling along the ground.

Despite father casting an enchantment of invisibility over me, I hold my breath as we approach the well- guarded palace gate. We pass through into the citadel without any issue. Neither of us speaks until we get to the river.

"Father, I ..." I break the silence, then break down.

"Shhh." He enfolds me in his arms and holds me until my tears run their course. "Elissa, I would offer to travel with you, however, your path leads you to where I cannot tread. I am comforted by the knowledge that we will be reunited before the solar is out."

"How can you be so sure?"

He presses a hand to his chest. "I know it in my soul."

He kisses my cheeks and I watch him walk back toward Alfheimr, until he disappears into the foggy night. There is a gentle splashing sound and I turn to face a silvery-blue haired figure in the inky-black river. Here we go again...

.........

It is almost dawn when I finally reach the small settlement marked on my map. This is where I'm supposed to meet up with Darish. At least I hope he is already here as I could really do with a soft bed and a warm bath after having spent the past several nights travelling with the nymphs.

There is only one inn, which is a low sprawling building. The front door is locked, so I investigate around the back. Reaching out my senses, I detect Darish's aura coming from one of the rooms. The window is a bit stiff, but I manage to slide it up without making too much noise.

I clamber though the opening and jump down into the dim room. The impact of my boots on the wooden boards causes the figure in the bed to wake with a start and clasp a hand to his chest.

"Elissa!" Darish exhales deeply, evidently relieved, as am I. For a moment I feared that I had the wrong room. "Thank the Mother that you have gotten here safely and with such good speed. I only arrived last night. Did you have any trouble?"

I squirm. "Father sneaked me out. But the king, he..." I hang my head, unable to look at him. "I am..."

A strange sense of deja vu hits me and I stop to look around the room. It is unremarkable and yet I have a really strong feeling of having been here before. "Have we had this conversation before?"

Darish raises one eyebrow. "I hardly think so. I am not in the habit of aiding and abetting runaway princesses. What were you going to tell me?"

Sitting on the side of the bed, I pick at the stitching on the throw and in a tiny voice confess, "I'm blood bound."

"Tis not possible. You are far too young to be bound to another."

"Yeah, well. I didn't know that it was part of some dark elven mating ritual, otherwise I would never have offered him my blood ..."

"Elissa!" Darish interrupts in an admonishing tone. "You should never offer your blood to a dark elf. It gives them dominion over you."

"Well thanks for that gem Darish, although I think it is a bit late," I bite back in a snarky tone.

"Who? Who dared do this?" he demands, bristling with anger.

"Morpheus." Just the mention of his name makes me recall the possessive way his dark eyes had burned though me. The hunger in them had terrified me. How could I possibly sate that?

I can't dwell on it. I just have to hope that he doesn't catch me. "Did you secure a horse for me?"

"I have made enquires and can make the necessary arrangements. Where are we going?"

While I desperately want his company, I can't be selfish. Too many people have suffered because of me, so I insist, "It is best if I go on alone and that you do not know my destination."

"Absolutely not!" A steely look enters his eyes. "Elissa, I know in my soul that my place is by your side. I will brook no argument. We travel together."

Taking his hand, I squeeze it. I may not have a home, but at least I have a friend. "Thank you, Darish. This means so much to me."

I hastily cover my mouth to hide a massive yawn. He smiles and gets out of bed, grabbing his day clothes.

He stops at the door. "Take my bed. I will make sure that no one disturbs you."

..........