Page 34 of Dark Elf's Good Girl

She chews on the inside of her cheek, trying to decide if I am worth the truth. Then, she sighs, her shoulders curving as she seemingly deflates. “Aiken, it’s not safe for me here.”

I jerk my chin toward the door. “And you think it is out there? You think there aren’t more men like Calix?”

“I–”

I take a step forward, and thinking better of it, I start to circle her. “Night is not a good time for anyone to be wandering the streets, especially not you Isla. Imagine the elves that are out there right now, what they’ll do to you when they find you without a master.”

The words burn as I say them, making me sick to call Calix anyone’s master. Red flashes around my vision as she curls into herself, as aware of the kind of men on this continent. Rage at just the thought of what someone would do to her makes my magic flare.

But I have to keep her safe, and I can’t do that if she’s out there. Besides, it would stir up too much here if Calix thinks he lost a prize.

“What of my brother? You think he’ll wake up to your absence and just shrug? You don’t think he’ll hunt you down? If you are running from him now–” Isla flinches and it only sends fire through my veins. I have to fight not to demand to know what he’s done to her, to go upstairs and make him pay for it thrice-fold. He tends to forget the power I can wield, and I’d love to remind him.

But that is not the way of our family.

“Imagine what he will do to you if you try to escape him.”

I come to a stop in front of her, staring down at her with heat in my gaze. The anger isn’t directed at her, but she shrinks from it anyway. I don’t stop her. It’s best if she stays – by any means necessary.

Suddenly, she bursts forward, her palms against my chest in an unexpected move. I’m caught off guard by the sudden contact and the way she leans into me.

“Please, Aiken,” she whimpers, and I have to fight the way it makes heat pool in my stomach. My name and her begging are such a fine combination. “You have to let me go. I can’t stay here any longer. Not with him.”

Again, my magic flares, desperate to go after my brother. I’m not sure I even want to know the details of what he has done to her to cause such fear and sorrow in her eyes. But I want to gut him for it.

I might like her begging for my mercy but she shouldn’t fear someone else like that.

“Isla–”

I freeze, my head snapping to the side as I hear something down the hall. It is still too early for the zagfer to be up, but instead of going to investigate, my hands come up to wrap around her wrists as my gaze slides back to her.

“Let’s go out to the gardens, hmm?” I soften my voice, dipping my head down toward her to help ease her tension. A soft smile pulls at my lips, ever the master at garnering the reaction I need out of others. If only Calix were as easy. “We can get some fresh air and talk away from…prying eyes.”

Another sound to my left and her eyes dart that way. I’m nearly about to sweep her up in my arms whether she likes it or not. I do not want Calix to know about this and it will get back to him if we are discovered.

13

ISLA

What the fuck is the deal with this elf? I think in frustration as Aiken gestures for me to follow him. I thought he was on my side.

A strange mixture of fear and curiosity comes over me as I’m led through the kitchen. The former makes me think that Aiken is tricking me and is about to rat on me to the rest of his family. The latter serves as a voice of reason as I tell myself he is not like the others, that he is a dark elf with a heart.

My self reassurance proves to be true as Aiken keeps his word, bringing us to the back door that doubles as an entrance to the gardens. He opens it and allows me to exit first.

I step through into the crisp night time air, surprisingly warmer than it is inside the house. He follows through behind me, taking in a deep breath as he stretches his arms.

“Come on then,” he says, waving his hand.

He leads the way, taking us through several turns and twists between hedges and rows thick with flowers and leaves. We’ve come far from the manor but I feel safe in his company.

I’m glad I’m not all the way out here with his psychopath brother.

There whisks through the air a sudden breeze, bringing with it a light chill that sends goosebumps up my arm. I do not notice it however, for there emanates a warm energy from Aiken as he sticks by me.

We approach a twin set of pillars, each column stretching almost fifteen feet high and carved with intricate wavering designs.

Standing atop the left pillar is a worg, its gaze peering down at us with an intensity so powerful that I’m half convinced it’s real. On top of the right pillar is a likar, sitting with an air of elegance to it, as though it is the wiser of the pair. Together, the two statues seem like a pair of guardians, watching the door between them.

---