Page 31 of Protected By the Elf Prince

It was a clear lie.

“Has something occurred?”

Landon glanced at me sharply. “Do elves always notice everything?”

I smiled. “Possibly.”

He huffed softly before dragging a hand through his hair. “There was something weird with some financial reports,” he admitted. “Numbers that didn’t add up.”

I listened quietly.

“My boss brushed it off way too quickly,” he continued. “I mean, it could be nothing. Probably is nothing. But…” He frowned slightly. “It felt wrong.”

The protective instinct within me sharpened instantly. “You believe something illegal may be occurring?”

“I don’t know.” He sighed. “And I’m new there, so I can’t exactly start accusing people of fraud after only a few weeks.”

That was wise. But I disliked the unease lingering beneath his words.

“You will be careful,” I said.

His eyes flicked toward me briefly before softening slightly. “There it is.”

I frowned. “There what is?”

“The protective thing.”

“I am protective of you.”

He blew out a breath. “You say that so casually.”

“Should I not?”

Landon opened his mouth, paused, then shook his head slightly like he no longer knew what qualified as normal around me.

“I don’t know,” he muttered.

When we reached his house moments later, Landon slowed near the front door while I remained still for half a heartbeat longer than necessary.

This was his space.

He was inviting me into his home to dine with him.

Only this invite felt like it meant more.

Among my people, such an act carried significance… like trust and intent. Was it the same for him?

Landon unlocked the door before glancing back at me. “Are you coming in?”

Always for you. I held my words back and answered with far more restraint. “Yes.”

I stepped inside after him. As he turned on a light and then a lamp, the scent of Landon wrapped around me, stronger than before.

It was comforting and perfect.

I hadn’t taken much in the first time I’d entered, but I could see now that the house itself suited him. His things were minimal, organized, and homey. In front of a dark couch stood a solid coffee table. On the opposite wall was the television and at each side of it were bookshelves filled with knick-knacks or books.

“You can wait in the kitchen if you want,” Landon said, setting down his bag. “I’m just going to change before I start dinner.”