The Trouble With Trolls by Dorie Sarina

Author:Dorie, Sarina
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Amazon.com
Published: 2020-01-30T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

Inopportune Timing

“Melinda!” Harry cried out as soon as he saw her.

At once he understood why he hadn’t found her in the forest. She wasn’t vexed with him at all. He was simultaneously pleased she was all right—and not mad at him—and fearful what would happen to her next. He stepped forward, but his gait became smaller than normal, his legs shorter and he shivered from the cold of the air.

Blast.… He was human again. Of all the times!

A shower of arrows fell down before him. Harry jerked back, aware how fragile this human skin was compared to his troll skin. If they shot and killed him, he wouldn’t be able to reach Melinda and free her.

Harry tried something he’d never done before in battle.… He used manners. “Please, let me pass. I don’t wish to fight you. I simply want to save Melinda and be on my way.”

King Eillid stroked his chin. “This pet monster looks curiously like a younger version of… you, Hathgar.”

Hathgar flustered. “A younger version of me? I look very young, I look more like his slightly older brother than his father.”

Melinda raised an eyebrow. “Harry is your son?”

Harry stared speechless.

“Harry is my so—er, my pet’s name?—Um, no, I did not say he was my son. You are twisting my words, witch. Men, release your arrows upon that witch!”

“No!” Harry roared, or the closest he could get to a roar in this human body.

Some of the men stared at each other in confusion. Others frowned at their king, suspicion in their eyes. The spectators watching from the windows of the castle muttered amongst themselves. A few—no, more like twelve girls in fancy clothes and wearing crowns, waved at Harry. Harry squinted and recognized them. Ah, yes, Melinda’s dancing students. He waved back.

One soldier said, “Your highness, we can’t shoot the witch from here because we might accidentally hit your pet troll—er, son.”

Hathgar dabbed at his sweaty forehead with a handkerchief. “No, he’s not my son. He’s a monster.”

“He doesn’t look like a monster to me,” said King Eillid.

One of Hathgar’s soldiers gave Harry his cloak to cover himself with. Harry bowed his head in thanks.

Harry at last found he was able to speak. “King Hathgar, you’re my father? And you let those horrible men stab me with spears, bait me with dogs, torture me, and treat me like a monster? You made me, your son, your weapon and pet, and treated me worse than your hounds?”

“Um.…” Hathgar stepped back. He stumbled over something and realized it was another worn out shoe. He kicked it aside and cast an annoyed look at his daughters. This day definitely wasn’t going as planned. Wrinkles started to form on his forehead, and he touched his face, self-consciously aware of this.

Harry turned to King Eillid. “Sir, I truly have no desire to fight you. I simply wish to take my true love from here and bring her someplace safe.”

“True love?” Melinda smiled, her eyes swimming with tears.

One of the twelve princesses sighed.

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