Page 43 of The Elven Spymaster's Thief

The hand around my knee tightened again as Illeron's head stirred.

“Morning,” I whispered.

He lifted his face and regarded me with slightly unfocused eyes. “Avril.” His husky voice made my stomach flutter. “How are you feeling?”

“Well, thanks to you.”

He squeezed my knee gently before standing. I expected him to move away, but instead, he sat on the edge of the chaise. “Have you tried sitting up?”

“No.”

“Come.” He caught my upper arm and eased me into a sitting position, turning me so he could examine my shoulder. His fingers probed the place where the knife had scored my skin the night before. “Does this hurt?”

I shook my head. “Any scar?”

“None.” He leaned back so he could study my features. “And the rest of you? Anything hurt? How do you feel?”

“Only scared,” I admitted. “I am not exactly equipped to fend off a shadow elf.”

Gathering me against him, he pressed a kiss to my temple before whispering in my ear. “Then trust me to handle that part.”

I burrowed deeper into his embrace and tried to rest in the fact that he was promising to protect me. It helped some. Still, he was only one elf and limited in his skill set.

“Casimir and I came up with a plan last night. He has some theories as to our traitor-assassin.” He squeezed gently before retreating. “Don’t worry.” Smoothing my hair back from my face, he caressed my cheek. “I won’t leave you until we catch him.”

“Thank you,” I whispered. “I don’t know what I would do if—”

“We will stop him. I will keep you safe.” The resolution in his expression gave me a small measure of reassurance. He would do everything he could to keep me safe, but he wasn’t infallible. Before I could put this into words though, he was pulling me to my feet. “You will feel better after cleaning up and eating some food.”

He escorted me to my bedchamber. After searching the whole room and setting a spell on the floor, he left while I dressed.

In one way, he was correct. I did feel marginally better after washing up and donning new clothing. However, the sight of my blood-stained shawl resting on the end of the bed made me hesitate. My situation could change in an instant.

I opened the door to find Illeron leaning against the wall beside it. His curls were damp, and he wore an emerald tunic over leather leggings instead of the formal gray from last night. He wordlessly fell into step next to me as I walked toward the kitchen.

“I have a meeting with Casimir in an hour. Will that be enough time for you to eat breakfast?” he asked as we approached the kitchen door.

“Easily.”

“Good.” He led the way into the bright and airy kitchen. “Waldorf! What is for breakfast?”

The brownie didn’t even flinch in surprise at his master’s loud greeting. “Scrambled chicken eggs, bacon, and melon slices are already prepared. Do you have any additional requests?”

“Toast and tea would be wonderful.” Illeron settled on a stool at the counter and motioned for me to join him. “With haste, if possible. We have a strategy meeting approaching.”

“Of course.” Waldorf slid a warm plate across the counter with a wink.

“How is your family, Waldorf?” Illeron asked with friendly eagerness as he set to consuming the eggs. “Your daughter still studying under Master Jerroth?”

“She is! Her skill in silverwork has improved so swiftly that Master Jerroth sent a request to me that I allow her to contract in his workshop as a journeyman.” The brownie glowed with parental pride.

“How many children do you have?” I asked. I was ashamed that I hadn't thought to ask Waldorf about his family.

“Five, four sons and a daughter.” Waldorf’s smile dimmed slightly. “The wife wanted more, but it wasn’t to be.”

“Melyn is their youngest.” Illeron volunteered before taking another bite.

Waldorf’s grin widened again. “She is our delight. Each of our children is special to us, but she is our only daughter and unique.”

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