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I was taken back by his admission. Alfar didn’t care how their choices affected humans. Our happiness had no weight when it came to their decisions. Maybe Levos was right. Gaelin was different. A part of me softened towards him in that moment.
“You have shown me nothing but consideration and kindness,” I said softly. “You’ve never forced me to do anything I wasn’t comfortable with and because of that, you have my respect and trust.”
He turned his eyes back to my face, taking in every detail. He slowly raised his hand to my cheek, gently following my jawline down to my lips with his thumb. “Do you think you will ever want me the way I want you?” he asked.
I was taken back by the question, not sure of what the correct response was. I took a deep breath, calming myself.
“Six weeks ago, I didn’t think I would ever allow you to touch me like you are right now, yet here we are. I think that in time there is a chance, yes.” He smiled at me, removing his hand from my face. I pulled away from him slowly. “Is there anything else I can get for you tonight?”
He laughed under his breath. “You know what I want, Gen.”
“Like I said, anything besides that?” I smiled at him, uncomfortable at his admission.
“No, I think I am good. Get ready for bed.”
By the time I exited the bathroom the candles were already snuffed out and he was in bed. I tiptoed to the couch and slid under the covers. Today, I had diverted the ax and gained an ally in my search for Lilian. Levos was right about Gaelin. He wanted more and his need and desires were growing stronger by the day. I had to figure out some way to hold him off before he discovered my true identity. If he did, would his affection for me be enough to save my life?
Chapter 8
The next morning, I was sent out into the nearby woods to collect fresh burdock. Apparently, alfar females liked to bathe in the herb to prevent signs of aging. I laughed at the thought of an elf ever looking older than thirty, but I was not there to question their methods, only to serve. The silence of the woods was refreshing. Though most of the alfar and humans never spoke a word to me, the hustle and bustle of the city was overbearing.
I took my time, going from clearing to clearing, collecting what I needed. I ran across a patch of wild lavender and picked some for myself. The plant was rare back in The Frey, but it had always been my favorite. The scent reminded me of my mother, one of the few memories I had of her before she died.
I knelt by a fresh spring, taking a small handful of water and splashing it on my neck. The sound of metal clanking together off in the distance caught my attention. I slowly rose, looking around for any signs that would indicate danger. These woods were protected by the light alfar. Levos assured me no one else was allowed through here.
I walked slowly towards the noise, placing my basket on the ground, and picked up a large wooden stick. The sound grew louder. I could hear someone grunting and struggling in pain as metal rattled. Pushing aside a low hanging branch I saw a female humanoid caught in some type of metal trap. Her skin was white as the clouds. She had long blue hair that trailed down her back and eyes black as night. The teeth of the trap had snapped just above her knee, rendering her helpless.
She stopped moving as her eyes locked onto me. I lowered the stick to my side and walked towards her with my free hand up. Her eyes went deadly as she tried to move away from me, but the trap held her. She gasped in pain, reaching for her leg.
“I’m not going to hurt you, I promise,” I said. I took another step closer.
“And why would I trust you, elf? Your race only cares about your own,” she snapped.
“I am no elf, and I guess you’re just going to have to trust me, since I’m not the one stuck in the trap.” I gave her a small smile. I walked towards her with caution, trying not to make any threatening movements. Black blood oozed from her wound. I wasn’t sure what type of creature she was, but I knew if I didn’t get her out of the trap soon, she would die, based on the amount of blood she had already lost. That was if the being who set the trap didn’t find her first.
“I’m going to help free you from the trap,” I said.
“And why would you do such a selfless thing for a stranger?” she asked in a low sarcastic tone.
“Because I hope someone would do the same for me if I were in your position,” I replied. I saw a moment of confusion in her eyes as she looked down at her wounded leg. “Just promise me you won’t eat me after I free you.”
A laugh that was deep and sensual caught in her throat. “Don’t worry, your kind doesn’t taste all that good, contrary to what the other creatures of this world think.”
“I’ll take that as assurance I’m going to walk out of this alive.”
“Now little elf, I didn’t say that.”
I stopped what I was doing and locked my eyes onto hers.
She rolled her eyes and exhaled in frustration. “Fine, you have my word I will not harm you if you help me get out of this thing.”
I wedged the stick in between the teeth of the trap, using my own body weight to pry it from her leg. She yelped as the teeth unhinged themselves from her flesh. I grunted, using all the strength I had to hold the trap open long enough for her to pull her leg free. She slid back away from the metal contraption. I let go of the tension and the metal snapped back together with force.
I stood, unsure of what to expect from the creature. I backed away towards the castle, making sure not to take my eyes off her. She stood tall, a creature of dominance. Her leg began to heal itself instantly.
She raised her head with a devious look on her face and smiled at me. “A deal is a deal, little elf. I owe you a life debt for your selfless act, something I don’t give lightly. I am sure we will be seeing each other again,” she said, before disappearing into thin air, leaving a blue puff of smoke in her wake.
I turned frantically around, trying to catch where she had gone, but she was gone.