Page 38 of Dark Elf's Good Girl

But as I tighten my hold – and Isla grinds against me needily – I remember the story she told me. I’ve heard the way my mother and Calix have spoken about her, like she’s nothing more than a toy to be used and disposed of.

While I’d love to bend her until she breaks and then put her back together so that there isn’t a single part of her not touched by me, not at my mercy…I can’t.

I want her to moan my name not curse and while I’m sure she would look unbelievably delicious with narrowed eyes and red cheeks, I can’t break the fragile trust she has placed in me. It’s what’s keeping Calix away from her.

She must notice the way I’ve stiffen, because Isla pulls back to look at me. And fuck, I’ve never seen a more beautiful sight.

Her lips are swollen and her chest is heaving as she runs a hand through her messy hair. Her bright eyes are such a sharp contrast to her red cheeks and I want to flip her on her back and make them darken as she screams out her praises to me.

Instead, I ease her knee back over my lap and pretend I don’t see the hurt flickering in her eyes. She swallows hard, staring at me in disbelief and I look off so I don’t have to face the consequences of my actions.

“It’s getting late,” I croak out into the thick silence. My cock is still straining against my pants, and I have to fist my hands to keep from picking her back up. Honestly, I don’t know how I manage to hold onto the shred of my resolve dangling precariously.

Isla only shifts next to me, and I know that I will get to see her face flushed with anger when I peek back at her. It’s bittersweet, knowing what I gave up so that I wasn’t just another elf who took advantage of her and yet she’ll still be angry at me.

Not sure what else to do, I stand up. It’s clear that I’ve taken her mind off of running, and now, I’m not sure she wants to sit in the gardens with me anymore.

When I glance down at her, she’s studying her hands as if I’m not there. I hold out my hand, and her head lifts slightly to look at it but she doesn’t meet my gaze.

I drop it, rocking back on my heels. Softly, I remind her, “I better get you back to your rooms. I’d hate for someone to see us.”

Isla hesitates for a moment, but then she rises, starting back toward the house and keeping distance between the two of us. Her little legs are no match for mine so I catch up to her easily. I still leave room between us as we ascend the stairs.

The house is silent except for our footsteps and I guess it’s better that Isla is mad at me. At least no one will hear us whispering. They might even mistake us for zagfer walking around at night.

When we reach her room, Isla pauses with her hand on the knob, her shoulders tense and back to me. My heart sinks as I take her in, and I quickly whisper, “Goodnight, Isla.”

She sighs, dropping her head and shaking it before going inside without answering.

I linger there for a few minutes before climbing higher in the manager. I pass my bedroom and go straight to my study where I drink and stare into the gardens until sunrise.

15

ISLA

It is late in the afternoon, the sun beating down as hard as ever as I push myself through a seemingly endless list of chores. Luckily for me. There’s no prying eyes today as the family are all out on errands. Only Lorien is here, my guess is that she’s too old to assist the family with outdoor duties.

I am glad it is her though. Apart from Aiken, she is the only here worthy of my trust. Oftentimes, she’ll lend a helping hand when she wraps up with her own duties. It annoys me how she must still work at her age, but then again society is far from fair in Orthani.

I only wish Lorien and I had met under different circumstances. The afternoon heat is pounding down on me as I trim the hedges in the gardens. I stop for a moment, breathless as I wipe a pool of sweat from my forehead.

“Isla!” calls the sweet voice of Lorien from behind me.

I turn around to see her hobbling over with a glass of ice water.

“I thought you might like a refreshment,” she says with an adorable smile. “I love the sun but even I have my limits underneath its relentless heat.”

“Thank you Lorien, I needed this,” I reply before drinking a few mouthfuls.

“Come inside and take a break. I fixed something for us to eat.”

“Oh I’m afraid I can’t,” I say, shrugging my shoulders. “I’ve got too much work to do out here.”

“Don’t be silly,” she giggles, waving a dismissive hand. “I’ll give you a hand with all of this once we eat. Come on then.”

“Oh alright,” I laugh.

“Besides, you must eat if you wish to preserve your strength with all of this hard work you’re doing!”

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