Page 46 of Protected By the Elf Prince

The room tilted, and my legs buckled enough that the man’s hold on me tightened.

Everything felt distant, and the last thing I saw clearly was a smiling Martin coming to stand in front of me, saying something that I couldn’t hear before darkness swallowed everything, and my last thought was of Dashiel.

CHAPTER NINE

Dashiel

Landon should be walking out those doors any moment now. The anticipation to see him was overwhelming; I was close to shoving everyone out of the way and telling them to shut up so I could focus on him and him alone.

I stood close to the entryway with my hands clasped behind my back, watching employees stream through the front doors as the workday ended.

The memory of the night before, the kisses we had shared, threatened to distract me.

A smile touched my lips despite myself.

He had kissed me.

And he had liked it.

The wonder I felt over him even wanting to try was big, and now that I had a taste of my beautiful beloved, I wanted more.

For over two centuries, I had existed without him.

Without knowing he would be created for me.

Without understanding why some part of me had always felt unfinished.

Then Fate had revealed him.

An accountant with kind eyes, a stubborn streak, and a smile capable of unraveling decades of carefully maintained composure.

A human.

Entirely human.

And somehow perfect.

The warmth of that realization settled through me, drawing forth another wide smile.

Landon had never been interested in men. Had never sought one out. Had never imagined a future with one.

Yet, he had kissed me.

And I did not believe he did it because was Fate demanding it, but because he had wanted to.

The memory threatened to steal my breath all over again.

The courage it must have taken him, and the trust.

Hope bloomed inside me.

If Landon continued to choose me, if he continued to move toward me despite his fears, then perhaps one day he would fully accept the bond.

Accept me.

That thought alone was enough to make me feel absurdly young. Yet I had already begun imagining it.

Waking beside him.