Page 17 of Protected By the Elf Prince

A drink out could help clear my head a bit.

My gaze flicked down to my wrist one more time. “You’re probably not going to like this idea,” I muttered. But still, it didn’t stop me rushing to put this plan into action.

CHAPTER FOUR

Dashiel

This has been a mistake. The thought settled coldly through me as I stood in the shadows near the back of the bar, my gaze fixed entirely on Landon.

On my beloved.

Music drifted through the crowded room while laughter and conversation tangled together too. The scent of alcohol, sweat, perfume, and smoke hung thick in the air, clinging to every surface and human packed inside.

Ordinarily, I would have avoided a place like this.

Not because it offended me, but simply because I had no need for it.

A lot of the humans gathered in establishments such as these went there to forget. To distract themselves from loneliness, exhaustion, heartbreak, or to give in to their desires.

Had Landon come here to execute the last?

My stomach churned, and my chest burned.

He sat alone at the counter with a half-empty drink in front of him and confusion written plainly across his face.

I had followed him here after listening to his half-mutterings on the walk from work to home. I had wanted to approach him, but I also wanted to respect what he had spoken about when it came to wanting time to work through things. Besides, I had very much liked listening to him. Until he had said I probably would not have liked his idea.

He had been correct.

But what I had gathered from that last thing he had said was that he wanted to come here to test himself.

So, it would probably be wise if I left, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

While I had promised Landon time, every instinct within me rejected the idea of him moving through the world unwatched.

Especially after Fate had revealed him to me.

My gaze drifted slowly over him again.

He looked tired. His dark blond hair, which contained gray at the temples and back, was slightly messy, like he had dragged frustrated fingers through it repeatedly. The sleeves of his shirt remained rolled down despite the warmth inside the bar, no doubt hiding the mark we shared.

My mark.

A dangerous surge of possessiveness curled through me.

Landon shifted slightly on the stool, broad shoulders tense beneath his shirt, as he took another sip of his drink.

Then, when the female beside him touched his arm, everything inside me went still.

She was attractive by human standards with her dark hair, bright eyes, and a smile practiced enough to suggest confidence.

I clenched my fists as she leaned closer toward him, fingers resting lightly against his forearm as she spoke.

As Landon responded politely with an easy smile, a cold fury surged through me with enough force that the glamour wrapped around my body flickered.

The lights overhead dimmed.

Several humans glanced upward in confusion before dismissing it.