Page 63 of Between Realms

Eldrin pulls the covers up around us and snuggles next to me. After kissing my cheek, he closes his eyes and strokes my side. It seems he’s ready to sleep. So he reallyisn’tgoing to pressure me into satisfying his own needs?

I touch his throbbing cock that’s poking into my hip. “What about your release?”

“I meant what I said. This is about you.” His hand lazily caresses my breasts. “I have had thousands of releases. I can make one occasionnotabout myself.”

“That isverygenerous of you.” I tease, feeling as if I can die happy knowing the pleasure he has given me.

“It isextremelygenerous because I want you more than you can imagine.” He playfully pinches my nipple, and I yelp in surprise. Yet another wave of desire floods my senses.

“Sleep now, beautiful.” Eldrin brushes the loose strands of my hair away from my face. “Or the little self-control I have will falter.”

Kissing his pouting lips, I confide, “I’m debating if I want you to fail.” I stroke his temple, soothing him. “But I think I will just allow you to sleep with the satisfaction of a job well done.”

He chuckles, closing his eyes, while I caress his face until he falls asleep.

24

MORNING AFTER

ELDRIN

When I wake, my sweet mortal is still asleep beside me.

How have I won the trust of this beauty? I know in no way do I deserve her, not yet. But I am going to prove myself to Wynstelle. I will make her so delirious with happiness and pleasure that all the mistakes I have made will be forgiven. That is my plan. I will shower her with gifts and affection until the nonsense of her returning to that foundry, to a brutal life of labor, is an absurd notion.

Admiring her curves covered in only a thin sheet, I want to pick up my paints again and capture this moment on canvas. She is the perfect subject—soft lines and glowing radiance. Yet, no painting, not even by a master, would come close to capturing the living masterpiece she is.

I want to seize all of our precious moments and treasure them forever—her unexpected wisdom, her easy laughter, her moans of desire.

No one I know laughs the way she does, with such pure delight. I suspect Jaden is the most like her in temperament, but he has seen too much to laugh like Wyn does, like the faeries do. And the little ones see in her what I do, that she is a pure and wise soul.

Goddess. I don’t want to mess this up. I rub my eyes and feel the sting of emotion. My father is probably correct—I am good for nothing. Worse than that, I make things worse.

I’ve already made one mess with Wyn the day we met. Jaden and Oakes watch on and wait for me to fuck up again. They know me better than anyone, so it shouldn’t surprise me. They have been the victims of how I’ve messed up in the past. I hurt Jaden years ago. No, it goes far beyond hurt. I broke him, all because I was a selfish, jealous prick. I don’t think he will ever truly forgive me. Not that he should.

Taking a deep breath, I remember what Wyn said. That I can be better. That I candobetter. I just need to step outside of my ego once in a while. I can do that. I’ve already proved that to her a few times now.

Her faith in me, even after what has transpired between us, is humbling. It gives me the strength and willpower to be a better elf.

This is my chance to truly earn someone’s love and affection.

I just have to win her over, and I can bring her happiness for the rest of her days.

Still fast asleep and with a soft whimper, Wyn rolls over on her stomach, her silken back exposed.

I touch her soft skin, meaning to wake her up and give her a sweet kiss. But as I graze my fingers between her shoulder blades, I notice an unevenness. Intrigued, I move closer to study what it is in the dim light of the room.

Upon inspection, I see her skin has a strange indentation—some sort of scar or colorless birthmark. Unusual markings like this are often indicative of an individual who was marked by fate at birth for an important role in life.

Or… it’s made with a magical binding.

I shudder. Could someone have placed a curse on her? But what could be gained by cursing an isolated human servant? That makes no sense. It’s probably nothing, but what if it isn’t?

Quietly, I slip out of bed and dress, careful not to wake Wyn. I hurry out of the room, deeply troubled by what I have seen.

25

MARKED

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