Page 122 of A Serenade To The Elf Queen
He says nothing more to the promise, raking a hand over the hair I mussed. His gaze drops to the bruise over my ankle.
“It happens sometimes,” I dismiss quickly before he reads into it too much. “I’m a rough sleeper. I probably kicked the dresser or something.”
“Or someone’s balls…”
“What was that?” I narrow my eyes.
A slow smile works its way to his face over whatever joke is playing inside his head. It’s hard to stay mad at that.
He does another odd, out-of-character thing when he kisses my ankle. His heavy gaze locks with mine. I always feel like prey cornered by a predator whenever he stares at me for too long.
“I think I’m fine now,” I say, my voice small like a mouse. I carefully pull my leg from him. A strange ache forms in my chest when we part.
My eyes land on my father’s signet ring hanging next to Kheirall’s amulet on his necklace. It makes sense to place it there because of his constant shapeshifting. A faint amusement flashes across his face when he notices me staring at his bare chest for far longer than necessary.
“Enjoying the view, Nel?” He arches a brow.
“I was looking at the pendant and the ring,” I say, quickly looking away.
“Would you like to have it back?” he asks, making a move to remove it.
Elves may not give a ring to their spouses, but that jewelry is an ancient heirloom from the old kings of Völundr.
“The ring carries the symbol of my house. My people will respect you as my consort. It means you are under my protection,” I tell him.
It means you are mine.
“Feel free to discard the one I gave you. It’s worthless,” he says easily.
I look at the rattan ring on my finger.
“If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to keep it,” I say, twirling it around out of habit.
The wedding band may mean nothing to him but it’s precious to me. Because for the first time in my life, I felt safe, cherished, and wanted on that night.
Svenn looks as if he has more to say but something is holding him back. It’s like he’s at war with himself.
“Keep that one too, little thief,” he finally says.
“Hmmm?”
I follow his gaze to my hand. I’m still holding his shirt.
My cheeks heat with embarrassment.
I hurl it at him pathetically. He catches it easily with a low laugh. Stupid Arawynn bond or not, I’m going to control myself better next time. He’s never getting me like this ever again. My resolve doesn’t stop my eyes from gawking at him when he slips into the dark tunic.
I tear my gaze away quickly before he can catch me.
Kheirall’s calling card lies on the small breakfast table beside me like a wicked taunt.
Gods above.
I swear I destroyed it last night. I lunge straight for the paper before Svenn can think I betrayed him. He captures my hand before I can rip the card to pieces. “You’re wasting your time.”
Dark flames erode the paper into crumbling ashes. He collects the dirt in his fist and when he opens it again, the paper is slowly restoring itself from the dust.
“The owner’s a creep. We’re stuck with this wicked thing for now,” he says, the corner of his lips pulling into a hint of a smile.
