The Elves of Lessa Series by K.M. Shea

In the epic stories falling in love is often described as a beautiful, wonderful experience. Tari finds it to be life threatening, embarrassing, and nothing but heartache. When Tari, an elf, is selected to be bound to Captain Arion, a human military officer, in a ceremony designed to promote friendship between their countries it is discovered that the two can communicate with each other in spite of the language barrier... moreIn the epic stories falling in love is often described as a beautiful, wonderful experience. Tari finds it to be life threatening, embarrassing, and nothing but heartache. When Tari, an elf, is selected to be bound to Captain Arion, a human military officer, in a ceremony designed to promote friendship between their countries it is discovered that the two can communicate with each other in spite of the language barrier. Not everyone is supportive of the change Tari and Arion symbolize, so in addition to attending evening teas and royal luncheons Tari and Arion dodge kidnapping attempts and blackmail plots crafted by powerful political figures. In spite of the court intrigue, Tari is dumbfounded when she realizes she has fallen in love with Arion, who has the emotional capabilities of a rock. As both human and elf society dictate that an elf and a human can never be together, Tari must conceal her feelings. Unfortunately the taciturn Arion is watchful and attentive to Tari’s well being, constantly pushing her to her limits with his loyalty, friendship, and dreadfully informal habit of touching her. If Tari and Arion survive, their tumultuous relationship will either strengthen their countries’ alliance, or cripple the human courts of nobility. The deciding factor will be Arion, and his indecipherable feelings for Tari. Show less. less

Gwendafyn is slowly suffocating. As the second princess of the elves of Lessa she is the acting regent of her people and is expected to behave with the serene grace and poise of a model elf. But that is not who she is. Instead, her very character is constantly criticized as being too passionate, too fiery, and overall “too much”. The former Crown Prince of the human country of Calnor, Benjimir’s disinheritance has permanently altered his future and place in court. It gets worse... moreGwendafyn is slowly suffocating. As the second princess of the elves of Lessa she is the acting regent of her people and is expected to behave with the serene grace and poise of a model elf. But that is not who she is. Instead, her very character is constantly criticized as being too passionate, too fiery, and overall “too much”. The former Crown Prince of the human country of Calnor, Benjimir’s disinheritance has permanently altered his future and place in court. It gets worse. He is forced to watch as the woman he has secretly loved his whole life narrows down her marriage prospects. He may ordinarily revel in his own ruthlessness, but this feels like his heart is dying. Gwendafyn is given a chance to flee the role that has ensnared her when she realizes there is one escape that not even her family traditions can prevent: marriage to a human from Calnor. With most humans and elves unable to speak the same language, her options are limited. She starts to lose hope when the human translators only see her title and treat her with fear and awe. Yet there is one other human who can speak the language of the elves: the scorned Prince Benjimir. But Gwendafyn isn’t that desperate. At least not yet. It starts as a marriage of convenience and an opportunity to strengthen the bond between their two peoples. But what if it could become something more? ROYAL MAGIC is a clean romance set in an epic fantasy world filled with elves and magic. If you love sweet romances, humorous stories, and fantastic adventures you’ll love the Elves of Lessa series. Download a sample or buy it today! less

A short story, telling a scene from Royal Magic from Benjimir's POV.

When Prince Arvel was declared the heir to the throne, he was ignorant of all the forthcoming unpleasantness the title would bring him. Nobles who used to ignore him now seek to manipulate and control him. Even worse, his attendance is mandatory at every social function and party. Every. Party. So when the time comes for a translator to be assigned to him, Arvel jumps at the chance to get closer to the beautiful female translator he has seen studying in the library at all hours of the day... moreWhen Prince Arvel was declared the heir to the throne, he was ignorant of all the forthcoming unpleasantness the title would bring him. Nobles who used to ignore him now seek to manipulate and control him. Even worse, his attendance is mandatory at every social function and party. Every. Party. So when the time comes for a translator to be assigned to him, Arvel jumps at the chance to get closer to the beautiful female translator he has seen studying in the library at all hours of the day. Myth, a mere translator with a knack for languages, never expected to be yanked into the secret power struggle between the human nobles. But once she is given the assignment of Translator to Prince Arvel, she discovers danger can lurk in dazzling ballrooms and seemingly inane social exchanges. As an elf ignorant to human customs, Myth feels woefully unprepared for her new role. No matter how much she studies, books can’t tell her how to survive a prince who is too charming and warm, or the traitorous nobles who seek to harm him. When Myth is attacked, Arvel realizes there’s nothing he won’t do to see that she is made safe again. But to outwit his enemies, he’ll need Myth’s help and language skills. They have gone through their lives being competent and self-reliant. But if they can set aside their pride and work together, they and their people will never be the same. less