Page 41 of A Serenade To The Elf Queen
My heart sinks over the horrors they put him through. The prisoner closes his eyes again in despair, resigned to his fate.
A surge of determination goes through me. “I’m going to save you.”
I set my torch to kindle the lanterns on the pillars around him. The flame is keeping the shadowy wisp at bay. They are shifting and moving like sentient beasts.
“I need them gone, Un.” My patrons happily oblige. Dark curses such as this one are their specialty—their food.
It’s a temporary measure but I just need them to buy me enough time to free the guy from this unholy binding.
“I’m going to cut this off now. Tell me if it’s hurting you,” I whisper to him in the dark.
A low groan leaves his throat as soon as I sever the iron on his left wrist. His body sags with the other hand still raised. I carefully place myself in front of the prisoner so I can catch him after cutting the final chain.
“Ready?” I ask him.
His eyes open to slits and he manages a nod. With another swing of my blade, he is free. The full weight of him comes crashing down on me.
“There we go,” I say, bracing him from falling. A sharp gasp rushes out of me as his hard form is pressed against my body. He is so much bigger than I thought. I feel completely overwhelmed.
“You’re alright,” I say repeatedly, stroking his back. His warm, uneven breath rolls over me.
I keep holding him for a long moment. He’s so weak and drained. Gods know how long he has been imprisoned here in the dark without food or water.
“We have to go now. Do you understand?” I attempt in several tongues common to mankind.
No word, but he blinks. The only sign that he can hear me.
“Can you stand?” I try to lift him. He doesn’t seem to need my help to rise to his feet. I let out a nervous whimper. By the gods, I am so dwarfed by him. I’m surrounded by tall fellow elves all the time, but I don’t know why I find his height intimidating.
I tilt my head to look up at the human.
“Come stand closer to the fire,” I say, reaching for his hand in the dark.
His fingers are as cold as ice. I bring his hand to my mouth, warming him up with my breath.
The lack of clothing doesn’t seem to faze the human.
“Forgive me, this is all I have,” I say, handing him my cloak. The prisoner makes no move to cover himself.
I wrap the cloak for him, at least over the lower half. It’s awkward but I have little choice in the matter. Otherwise, I’ll be blushing every time I look at him. My heart paces faster when I accidentally brush my hand against the hardened muscle of his abdomen. The fabric barely fits as a loincloth. It will have to do for now.
His face becomes more alert as he studies the surroundings.
“We can’t linger here for long. There’s a demon hiding in the shadow of this labyrinth,” I say quietly.
He simply stares at me. Are all human this intense? My first encounter with his kind has not been pleasant. There is something about the way he looks at me that makes my skin tingle. I swallow back the unease.
The prisoner suddenly stalks closer, leaning his face to me. He dips his head to the nape of my neck, inhaling deep. My heart is racing with a simple brush of his lips against my skin.
“What are you doing?” I ask, my hand pressing against his bare chest.
He doesn’t answer. I hold my breath as he nuzzles me, sniffing my scent. I’ve seen dogs and wolves do this to strangers. But aren’t humans supposed to be more civilized…like us? I’m surprised to find that he smells good despite the imprisonment. Before I can take another inhale, a rumble sounds from his chest. The sound sends a delicious shiver down my spine.
“I am Rhianelle.” I point to myself. “Rhi-a-nelle. And you are?”
He gives me nothing as he continues to study me curiously. I don’t pull away because his touches are innocent.
“Are we good now?” I ask him once he’s done.
