Dark Elf's Delight (Dark Elves of Protheka Book 5) by Celeste King

Author:Celeste King [King, Celeste]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Protheka Publishing
Published: 2022-08-04T16:00:00+00:00

18

Martha

My eyes fly open right on cue, just before dawn like always. The morning is still dark, but the sky is lightening quickly as the sun rises.

I roll on my side to see Gorgo lying on his back, his eyelashes brushing against the soft skin beneath his eyes. He sleeps soundly, and he is heartbreakingly beautiful as he sleeps, his black hair fanned out on the pillow.

The tears start to gather in my eyes, and I will them not fall as I reach out to stroke his face. He stirs a little, and I freeze, but he only leans into my hand, and I swear I can feel each individual crack as my heart starts to shatter.

With more willpower than I thought I had, I pull my hand away from him. If I lay here any longer, I may lose my nerve.

Even so, it’s more difficult than I thought it would be to rise and get dressed. I pause as I approach the door and turn to look back at Gorgo’s sleeping form. One tear slips free and tracks down my face, and softly I whisper, “I will never forget you.”

Slipping through the dark house, I find a paper and quill to draft a map and letter to him. I almost leave it on the kitchen table, but I sneak back into my room, catching a close glimpse of him one more time as I lay them out on the pillow.

Then, I quickly make us both breakfast. I lay his out on the table and take mine with me as I tear off into the woods. My pockets are stuffed with herbs to protect me, and I’m glad I have extra because I’m not being as quiet as I should.

I need to put as much distance between me and my house right now as I can, so I choose speed over stealth. My body seems to know how much I need to burn off this anxious energy pouring through me, and I climb up the rocky terrain, a tough journey that drenches me in sweat.

By the time I ascend the hill close to the exit of the ravine, I’m exhausted, and that is a relief. I’m able to sit down without feeling jittery, and I no longer have the urge to go back to the house. No, from up here, I can see the path running parallel to me.

I pull out a slice of hard bread and chew on it silently as my eyes scan the terrain. Gorgo should pass by here, and though he won’t see me, I’ll be able to watch him as he returns to his life. A pang of sadness echoes through me, but I ignore it.

“It’s better this way,” I tell myself, and then, involuntarily sigh. “We would never work.”

A bird above me chirps angrily, piercing the quiet morning air. I tip my head back to stare up at it and am surprised to see its beady eyes focused on me.

“What?”

It jumps down a few branches to my surprise, puffing out its chest, and chirps more.

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