I smiled. “I will return.”
He took a deep breath, satisfied. “I’ll be waiting.”
As I turned to go, I realized I hadn’t asked any of the important questions that had been nagging me. I’d have to try harder tomorrow, stay on task. I ran back to the castle at full speed.
Ruby cleared her throat and I shoved the book into my pack. I glanced over at her but she was still facing out the window. Chevelle walked in and I flushed as the memory of his touch came back. Ruby threw him a wicked smile and then left the room. Great.
“Ready to resume training?” he asked.
It was worse than I’d thought. He beckoned so I stood in compliance.
I wobbled.
He was there in a second, steadying me. I hadn’t stood since the incident and my head spun a little. He looked concerned so I shook it off. “I’m fine… really.”
He took a step closer and I became wholly aware of his hands at my waist. The grip he’d used to steady me became softer and yet, at the same time, his fingers tightened around me. My breath hitched as he pulled me against him, the length of our bodies touching.
Black spots swirled in front of my eyes. I fought to stay focused on his face, so close. His eyes grew troubled and then he blurred out of vision as I went limp in his arms.
“Frey… Frey…”
I was looking at the sky when I opened my eyes. “What happened?”
“You seem to have blacked out,” Chevelle said. I thought I saw a hint of a smile on his face.
I flushed. He must have seen that coming, held me because of it, to prevent me from falling on my face. I was an idiot.
I tried to stand again and he helped me up, this time holding me only by one arm. I took a deep breath. “I’m okay now, I think.”
He smirked.
I attempted every type of magic he could come up with, to no avail. I was beyond frustrated. Worse, I could tell he was being gentle on purpose, afraid I would break. I thought of what he’d said before, the dangers of messing with the bindings.
He must have read it on my face. “That’s enough for now. Rest, Freya.”
I didn’t argue.
Ruby came in, as if on cue, and Chevelle excused himself. I laid down but irritation kept me from sleep. I returned to the book.
I spent the next several weeks visiting him. I had forgotten about the rest of the camp. He had become absolutely infatuated with me and I couldn’t keep myself from indulging him. I was thoroughly enjoying it, reveling in it if I was honest with myself.
He persisted in trying to touch and kiss me anytime I was close enough to allow, and I let him sometimes.
He surprised me one evening, when he knew it was time for me to leave, grabbing my wrist and holding me there. I was stronger than him but I didn’t resist his pull as he spoke fervently. “Don’t go.”
I smiled. “I will return tomorrow. Early.”
“No,” he said, flush with emotion. “I don’t ever want you to go.”
I laughed lightly and he drew me closer. “Stay with me.”
I started to pull away and he reached up, placing his hands on either side of my face, feverishly now. “Marry me, Lizzy.” I had long since gotten used to the name, but I wasn’t sure he was talking to me at first. Just the thought of it seemed so ridiculous. I stopped myself from laughing; knowing from previous experience this would hurt him, wound his fragile emotions. I had come to realize he didn’t know what I was. He knew I was different, of course, knew of the magic, though I’d shown him nothing of my real power. But he didn’t understand I was an elf. I didn’t explain, knowing it would do nothing but perplex his simple mind. He merely thought I was something special, extraordinary. Beauty and magic and something beyond. But did he actually think I was human, marriable? I was incredulous.
But he was obsessed. The moment it slipped from his lips, he became more focused on that than anything else. Making me his bride. I couldn’t understand.
He tried to explain. “I want you, forever. I need you, Lizzy.” The yearning in his voice was clear on the last part and I was surprised that I ached for him a little, felt for his pain and need. He touched me then and I thought I understood when he continued, “We could be together…”
Marriage. Yes, he wanted to join us. I bit my lip, undecided. Curiosity was there, too. And I couldn’t help but imagine. He was unmagical. He had no idea what I could do to him, for him, in such an intimate setting. What could it hurt, really? Sure, I could marry him, but it wouldn’t be real, I knew that. But the other part, well, I could do that without the marriage, couldn’t I? Harmless fun…
I smiled as I leaned closer to him. This was the first time I had initiated a kiss and he was grateful, more than grateful… overwhelmed with pleasure. I laughed to myself at what was to come, if this small, insignificant gesture brought him so much happiness. Our lips touched and he gasped, and then the breath turned to a low moan.