Page 7 of The Goddesses' Gifts

“The bond to Lhoris would make it very difficult for you to be with anyone else,” he said and paced a few heart beats before going to lean on a wall, well away from me.

“It was a complicated situation,” I admitted absently, resting a hand on my belly. “You’re sure?”

“I’ve been around a long time, child,” he shook his head and tapped his nose. “I can’t tell who the father is, but I can tell you’re entangled with two dark elves.” He paused and frowned a little, as though he’d just had a troubling thought. “We’ll be lucky if they don’t kill each other on the way here.” He shook his head, brows knotted, and lips pressed into a hard line.

Surely I couldn’t take anything he said at face value, but I didn’t get the sense he was there to bullshit me. The culture here was supposed to be centered around power struggles often settled by cloak and dagger style tactics. Was he trying to figure out what was going on ahead of Dulanzo? Was this the enemy of my enemy?

My head ached already at just the prospect of trying to figure out the intentions of someone steeped in that level of paranoia.

Ugh, give me a straightforward fight any day.

“They wouldn’t hurt one another.” I genuinely couldn’t see anything coming between two people that had sacrificed so much for each other. “They’re far too dedicated,” I argued.

Pervy-elf scoffed at me. “You don’t know anything,” he said, words dripping with disdain.

“Well, educate me.” I gestured between the two of us. “Maybe I can help you figure out … whatever-it-is if I know what you’re after.”

He pushed off the wall, as if my words had provoked him, and brought me fully to his attention. I didn’t blink when his intense citrine eyes burned into mine, recognizing this sudden focus of his as calculated assessment. What I was proposing didn’t appear to make sense to him. “Why would you do that? What could you want from me in return?” He shook his head and his posture eased. “If you think I can get you out of here, you’re going to be very disappointed.”

I threw my hands up in exasperation. “What can you do for me?” I gestured to the spartan space around us. “It’s not like I’m spoiled for choice.”

He rolled his eyes. “I already came here to do what I can for you, child.”

“What’s that?”

“Help you survive the coming few days,” he said with the hint of a sneer. “I end up with more work when Dulanzo is fixated on one of his little pets.”

“I’m no one’s pet,” I spat.

“You don’t understand, girl,” he stepped closer, looming over me. “I’ve observed you since coming here … tested your reactions.”

That explained his obnoxious behavior leading up to this door. I gave him a caustic glare.

“I promise you, if you’re as prickly as you seem, you’ll only be giving Dulanzo what he wants from you,” he said, the words slow and intentional, a warning I wasn’t meant to disregard. “You’ll never leave this room or see the light of day again if you defy him. If you show him something he can break, he will dedicate all his energy to that end and enjoy his handiwork until you’re so empty inside that you simply cease.” He emphasized the final word with a flick of his hand. Then he waited in silence, giving me time to think, eyes occasionally flicking to my mouth, as though in anticipation of my answer.

So I pursed my lips and thought. What he’d said was in line with what I’d observed during my encounter with the warlord, so I didn’t doubt he understood the commander’s intentions. Though what he was suggesting made me nauseous, I nodded for him to continue.

“But he will lose interest if you instead comply. Then maybe …” He lifted a finger and one brow to emphasize the maybe. “… I can make your life more comfortable.” He gestured to the room. “There are nicer places than this in the compound. I can’t promise you won’t be required to have more children, though you could have more freedom.”

Freedom to find an escape, perhaps?

“Your children?” I asked, knowing full well it didn’t matter. None of it was acceptable in the long run. I’d rather kill myself than live in either of those scenarios or allow a child of mine to end up in this tomb. No, I thought it might be prudent to probe for his motivation—what form his scheme could be taking. Adapting to this new environment was my priority for the time being, and any insight gleaned from him could be vital. It was unlikely with as paranoid as he probably was, but I had to try.

“Oh, no.” He shook his head with a grimace. “You’d be allowed to choose from volunteers.” He frowned and shuddered.

And for a moment, he reminded me of Lobikno. Not in the obvious sense, but for a fraction of a second, he appeared worn, weary, heavy-hearted. Perhaps this elf was like Lhoris and Lobikno and not naturally suited for their culture. Or maybe it was simply the result of having lived in it for too long. Either way, there was something about this elf I couldn’t quite put my finger on …

But I scoffed at his offer. “Who are you that you could make that kind of offer, anyway?”

“Zelfek,” he stepped away again and sat on the bed. “I am Subcommander Zelfek. Dulanzo’s second in command.”

This was the asshole that decided to grab me in the garden.

“I’m Ozanna Black,” I replied with a barely polite nod. “Well, start talking Zelfek, you sound like a very busy elf.” I crossed my arms over my chest and stayed right where I was.

“Come here,” he gestured for me to stand in front of him. “I need to attend to your child while we talk or Dulanzo will become suspicious of my absence.”

I looked down at my belly and scrunched up my nose before giving him an incredulous look.

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