Page 47 of Dark Elf's Good Girl

Calix’s face is turning a violent shade of red. Sparks dance at his fingertips and excitement bursts through me. It’s not often my magic is to come out to play and I’m eager to join this fight.

But deep down, my brother is a coward. He only balls his fist up when Cassian raises an eyebrow at him, his gaze going to my brother’s fists. The responding smirk enrages Calix, but he still does nothing.

“I came here today,” Cassian says, strolling leisurely forward a few steps. Calix tenses, though he does nothing to stop Cassian. “To steal your supplier.” He raises, one shoulder and a half shrug. “I feel that is no secret.” His eyes cut over Calix’s shoulder and Isla shrinks back. I hate that he’s the one protecting her right now. “But you have something so much more valuable here, something else I’m going to steal from you.”

“You-“

Cassian holds up a hand and Calix stops mid sentence. Cassian cocks his head and I sputter, confused with why my brother is so easily deterred by this elf.

One look at Isla’s terrified face, and I ready myself to spring. No one should pull that out of her, unless it’s me, and I’m tempted to show Calix that Cassian is not the one to be afraid of.

But then Cassian rocks back on his heels, chuckling beneath his breath, and I can see the fight dissolving right there. I don’t want to put Isla in unnecessary danger so I crack my knuckles, letting sparks fly between them and hoping it alleviates the pent-up anger in me. It doesn’t, but I don’t throttle Cassian as he starts toward me.

It’s honestly impressive that I manage to control myself that well.

He pauses next to me, shoulder to shoulder, cocking his head to the side so he can look at me. “I hope to see you next week.” And then his eyes darken. “When I come to claim both of my prices.”

He’s out the door before I can rip his head from the shoulders the way I want to. And I’m too busy swallowing back the rage threatening to suffocate me to realize when Calix spins around and snatches Isla’s wrist.

I don’t make out when he says to her, only the harsh tone he uses and her whimper whenever he jerks her forward. A protest bubbles up in my throat. I thought he would leave after his interaction with Cassian, run to my father like the little pup he is.

I’ve been looking forward to having Isla to myself all morning.

And yet, as her rightful owner drags her from the room, I’m less staring after them, apprehension bubbling in my gut. I can’t stomach knowing that he is pulling her somewhere alone.

That he is touching her.

I have half of mine to break his wrist. But if I lead on how much I care for her, my father or brother will kill her.

19

ISLA

My teeth sink into my bottom lip as Calix drags me down the corridor. I try to keep from showing that he’s hurting me but his grip just keeps tightening like he knows he’s doing it without me making a noise.

As we approach the staircase that will take us up to his room, I contemplate trying to make a break for it. I want to pull away from him, to dig my heels into the floor, anything that will keep me from going with him.

To my surprise, though, we pass the stairs. We keep going down the corridor and around the corner and all the sudden I realize we’re heading to my room. A new shiver spreads down my spine. It’s not any better, his room or mine.

He doesn’t slow down as he approaches my room, just flinging a hand out so that the door flies open. He drags me over the threshold and I feel the nausea start to creep into my stomach. I don’t know how I’m gonna get out of it this time.

As he stops, his body tensing, I try to pull away. I’m prepared for him to throw me on the bed, to push me up against the wall, anything — other than just letting go.

My heart leaps to my throat and I try to swallow it as he swings around, staring at me with blazing eyes. He's furious and I’m afraid that this is gonna be much worse than last time. I don’t want him to take that anger out on me.

I shrink back, my hands gripping the opposite elbows as I try to hug myself and make my frame smaller. But he doesn’t advance towards me like I expect him to.

Most elves will take their anger out on humans, and I expect no less from Calix. I thought he’d take pleasure from the tears that I’m fighting and the way that my body is trembling.

Instead, he clears his throat, clenching and unclenching hands as he tries to calm himself. I don’t get it.

“Stay. Here,” he growls and I nod my head. I should probably be more suspicious of why he isn’t eager to attack me, but I’m too busy counting my blessings. “ I will come back for you. Until then, I don’t want you to leave this room.”

That strikes fear in my core, reminding me of when I first came here and I was like a toy that he had forgotten to take care of. But I don’t argue. It’s easier to sneak out when nobody’s checking in on you and I don’t want to raise any suspicion.

Still, as he drags a hand over his face one question bubbles up. It’s stupid and I know I should keep my mouth shut, but I can’t stop the words before they come out. “What do you mean?” I’m caught on come back later, my brain telling me not to thank the gods too early.

He spins around his eyes, assessing my face and I gulp down air that doesn’t seem to reach my lungs. “I mean, don’t leave the room.” He talks to me like I’m a batlaz.

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