Page 17 of The Dark Elf's Surprise Baby

Some people in town don’t approve of us but Demethys doesn’t really care about their opinion. He takes me everywhere he goes right now, except for work.

We leave and I sit close to him the whole way. When we arrive, he helps me out of the carriage, making me feel like a proper lady and not just a human servant. He escorts me into the bookstore and tells me to get whatever I want.

“You pick something,” I tell him. “I want to read something that you liked when you were a child.”

“Here,” he offers. “Try this one.” It’s another version of Cirsheco the Wild, this one a continuation of his adventures on the volcanic island. I take it eagerly and flip through, admiring the watercolor illustrations.

“Perfect,” I tell him. I reach up on tiptoe and kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”

Demethys takes my hand and escorts me to the front to pay. I know there’s only a few days left now but at least I have these wonderful memories.

8

HARPER

The day before he’s due to leave, we have dinner together and there’s a solemnity in the air. It’s like we both know that it will be a long time before we see each other again and we’re too afraid to ruin the moment with idle chatter.

We go to bed, clinging tightly together.

“I’m going to miss this,” I whisper.

“Not for long,” he murmurs back, but we both know that it’s a lie.

In the middle of the night, I feel a dip in the bed but I don’t register what’s happening. My subconscious mind thinks that Demethys is merely getting up to use the restroom.

I turn over, pulling his pillow towards me and bury my face in it, breathing in his scent as I drift back to sleep.

The next morning when I wake, Demethys is already gone. At first I think he might just be in the bathroom or downstairs in his office but when I roll over, a piece of paper crumples under me.

When I pick it up and glance at it, I immediately realize the truth. Tears spring into my eyes as I start reading it.

My dearest Harper, it reads.

I couldn’t bear the thought of saying goodbye to you. I hate saying goodbye. It feels too final, too emotional. Instead I will tell you I’ll see you soon.

Because I promise that I will see you the minute I come back. I want you to know that I am leaving in extreme reluctance. I wouldn’t ever leave you if I didn’t have to. You are my sun, my moon, and my stars.

This line hits me hard and I start sobbing, unable to hold back the tears. I continue reading, clutching the letter in trembling hands. Wet tears stain the ink as I flip through all four pages. I pray fervently to the gods that they deliver Demethys back to me soon.

I want only the best for him, of course, but what I want most is for him to be back in my arms, safe and happy. He left the book we bought yesterday on the side table, another note in it for me to read, telling me to write in the margins which parts I liked so we can discuss it when he’s back.

I can’t lie in bed all day and I vowed I would get straight back to my chores when he left. I got a long enough vacation, I don’t need the other zagfer servants to resent me for being a layabout as well.

Heading to my own room, I enter to find it covered in a thin layer of dust, smelling a touch musty. I throw open a window, breathing in the fresh air and trying to force myself to put on a good face while I get dressed.

I need to get used to being without him again. Even though it’s going to be much longer than before, I still made it through last time and I can do it again.

Scrubbing away my tears, I fix my hair into its usual braids and pin them under my cap before smoothing a hand over my simple, gray cotton dress and tie the white apron around my waist.

I’m presentable enough for work now, though I miss dressing in pretty dresses every day. I descend the stairs, carrying the dirty linens with me and head to the kitchen to begin my daily chores.

My efforts are poor though, my body feeling listless without Master Demethys there to brighten my day. I miss him already and it’s merely been a few hours.

The ache inside increases as I clean his office, knowing that he won’t be back to see it for a long time. I won’t have to come in here every day anymore. Probably only once every few weeks. Maybe less if he’s gone for a very long time.

The worst is not knowing how long he’ll be gone, I think. I start dusting his desk and my hand stills as a memory floats to the surface.

I was here, unloading supplies for my former master for a party that Demethys was hosting. It was then that he saw me standing next to his office with a heavy bag of flour. He grabbed it for me and hoisted it up, not even minding that he got his clothes dirty. This was only the second time we ever met, after he ordered from my master’s shop for his party.

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