I almost wink at him, but decide against it at the last minute.
That would be doing too much, and my brother isn’t a complete idiot.
“In fact,” I move slightly towards the human woman. “I believe that Father needs to show you a few things. So I can take her upstairs for you.”
“I don’t need to speak to father now! Besides, I just bought her! She’s mine!”
I would not have been surprised if he had stamped his foot against the ground. I kill the urge to roll my eyes.
“Calix, I know. And I agree with you. You deserve to unwind with her,” I gesture as carelessly as I can at the woman, even though every word I speak against her feels like a betrayal that I cannot quantify.
“But you know how our father is about our duties. You don’t want to get on his bad side.”
I can see Calix coming around slowly.
I can also feel the human woman’s gaze on me.
She’s sizing me up.
What does she do for a living? Where did Calix find someone like her? I cannot help but wonder as I avoid her gaze and focus on Calix.
Eventually Calix assents and I swallow a sigh of relief. He pushes the human woman practically into my arms, and her scent makes my head spin. She smells warm, like baked nimond beans intertwined with fresh citrus.
I push her away slightly, as the fragrance of her body and hair overwhelms me. Calix marches off with a huff, clearly unhappy that his plans have been stalled. I take her bag instead and step away from her, remaining as far away from her as I can while remaining polite.
You’re a dark elf. She is a mere human. You don’t need to seem polite.
Then why do I feel like I should be carrying her up to her room?
I don’t want her feet to even touch the ground.
What in the name of the Thirteen is even going on with you?
“Follow me.” My voice is stiff, and I start walking away from her.
We walk across the hallway to the servants’ quarters. The zagfers and other human servants look at her with blatant curiosity as we pass them.
There are several rooms available, but I give her the largest one.
It is still small by my standards, but she’ll have her own bath and washroom.
“Okay.” My voice is gruff, hoarse as I shove her into the room and dump her bag on the floor behind her.
Then I rush away with my head down.
Slow down. You’re walking too fast. You actually seem suspicious now.
What in the name of the Thirteen has gotten into you?
ISLA
IT WAS A LONG NIGHT.
I hope tonight I am able to sleep.
It seems that I am not expected to do anything my first day as a servant in Calix’s home.
Which is a good thing, because my first night was unbearable.