Page 40 of Dark Elf's Good Girl

“Mmhmm,” she nods. “Even as a child, Calix has always been quite dastardly in his own little ways. I thought he would grow out of it with age but it seems as though it only gets worse as time passes. Forgive me, I’m digressing.”

“No, it’s fine,” I reply reassuringly.

“You’re right about the choice being obvious but I understand the predicament you’re in. Things are never quite as easy as we want for them to be.”

“You can say that again,” I chuckle.

“As for your feelings with Aiken,” she quips, her mouth coiling upwards into a smile. “I have reason to believe the attraction is mutual.”

“You really think so?” I ask in surprise.

“I’ve observed him looking at you many a time. There is always a certain gaze in his eyes that tells no lie. Words can be bent and twisted but not the way one looks at the one they love.”

As much of a shock the news is to me, it does nothing but add to my internal conflict. I shrug, letting out a sigh of frustration.

“I’m glad to hear someone else confirm all that for me but I’m more caught up than ever. The fact of the matter remains that Calix owns me, and there’s not a thing I can do about it.”

“I wouldn’t be so quick to assume that, Isla.”

“But would it not be forbidden for me to pursue my feelings with Aiken? What if Calix finds out? What if-”

“Shush my dear,” says Lorien, patting my hands. “I think you’re worrying way too much about all of this. You pay too much mind to what your brain tells you.”

“Well what should I do?”

“Try to listen to your emotions, that is the only way to get them to calm down.”

I peer into her eyes with curiosity as if she has just told me some ancient legend.

“I have learned a lot during my long life,” she remarks. “The most important lesson I can give to you is to listen to your heart. After all, you only have one.”

“My heart?”

“Yes, you need to let your happiness guide you. Too often, we listen to our heads and all this so-called logic and such. There certainly is a time and place for those things but not when it comes to feelings!”

I tilt my head in thought, contemplating on what she’s telling me.

“You and your heart deserve to live a life of love and fulfillment. I cannot tell you what path to take, but at the very least I suggest you have an honest conversation with Aiken and tell him how you feel.”

“Maybe you’re right…”

“Talk about what risks you both would consider taking to be with each other, then take things from there. I know this is difficult but one step at a time, my dear.”

She squeezes my hands, looking deeply into my eyes.

“I believe you can do this, Isla.”

“Thank you Lorien,” I say, enveloping her in a hug. “You always know just what to say.”

“I’m always here for you. Go on now, get abc to your work. I will join you shortly.”

I mull over her advice as I make my way back to the gardens.

I need to consider what it is that I truly want. I may have a sense of obligation to my contract with Calix, but I want nothing to do with him. It’s his brother that I want.

That’s when it becomes clear to me that my own heart and feelings need to be prioritized. One thing is for certain, one brother treats me like a plaything whereas the other truly shows me just how important I am.

There’s a confident stride in my step throughout the rest of the day as I become affirmed in my feelings. More than ever before, my desire for Aiken increases. I know what it is I must do.

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