Page 114 of Lost in the Dark

“Sel—” I started to say, but he silenced me by pressing a kiss to my forehead.

“Shh. Sleep now. Let’s enjoy this while it lasts, hmm?”

I nodded and wrapped my arms around him, savoring what we shared in this moment and allowing the low rumble of his humming to send me off to sleep.

Selvyn

The following day, I woke before Iris. As the soft glow of morning light began to trickle down into the cavern, I peered down at her.

She looked so at peace while she slept, her features unmarred by the sadness that had crept over her face the night before. I’d seen the tears forming in her eyes, but there was nothing that could be done to delay the inevitable.

Repeatedly, I told myself that this was best for her. The dark depths of a cave were no place for Iris. My flower needed fresh air and sunlight. She needed a human man who could give her everything she deserved. The love she was worthy of.

I sighed and rubbed my eyes with the base of my palms.

Why was I subjecting myself to this torture?

There was a reason I never got close to my human charges.

But before Iris, none of them everwantedto be close with me.

Not in the way that she did.

I pulled fresh strips of leather out of my bag and set to work rebandaging her feet, hoping to slowly rouse her as I did so.

Her body tossed and turned against the furs as I carefully wound the strips around her soles, and when she caught sight of me she smiled.

“G’morning,” she mumbled, her voice hoarse from sleep.

“Good morning, angel,” I said, and passed her the drinking skin. “Did you sleep well?”

Iris stretched and arched her back, pushing the soft globes of her breasts outward. My cocks hardened beneath my kilt at the sight of her. Did she have any idea how utterly breathtaking she was or what kind of effect she had on me?

I stood and quickly turned my back to her before adjusting my kilt.

“I did. Is—is everything okay?” she asked from behind me.

“Yes, everything is fine.” I cleared my throat and rubbed the cracked tip of my horn, still refusing to face her. “I set your dress there next to the pack.”

I kept my back turned while she dressed, refusing to sneak another glance at her nude body and recall how she looked as I fucked her.

A delicate hand slid along my bicep and gave it a light squeeze.

“Are you sure you’re alright? If this is about last night—”

“I told you, everything is fine.” I was more stern than I needed to be, and I regretted my harsh response the moment I saw the hurt in her eyes.

I pulled Iris into a tight hug and mumbled into her hair. “I’m sorry. I’m just a little tired.”

Her tiny hands clenched the muscles of my back, holding me like she never wanted to let go. “We can always take it a bit slower today,” she murmured, her lips brushing against the bare skin of my abdomen with each word.

She sounded so hopeful.

So positive that we could stretch whatever this was between us forever.

I didn’t have the heart to crush that hope. Not yet, at least.

“Yes, nice and slow.” I pulled away and gave her a reassuring smile. “Are you ready?”

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