Page 63 of Protected By the Elf Prince

“Does it hurt?” he asked quietly.

The question startled me. “Healing?”

He nodded.

Of course he would worry about others when he was the one who had been injured.

A soft and disbelieving laugh escaped me. “No, my beloved.”

His gaze tracked the fading silver light. “That’s incredible.”

The wonder in his voice made something ridiculous bloom inside my chest.

When the final bruise disappeared, I brushed my thumb across his cheek one last time. There was still blood, but nothing else now.

I took a step closer to him. “You are safe now.”

His bottom lip trembled, but then he smiled up at me. “I knew you’d come.”

“Always.” And from this day forward, I would keep him close and safe.

If he allowed me to.

The warmth in his eyes deepened, and for one reckless second, I wanted to kiss him right here in front of everyone.

The urge nearly won, until reality returned.

I lowered my hands reluctantly. “The vampires will find out if anyone else is involved.”

Landon nodded. “Then what will happen?”

“They took you. Touched you. Made you bleed. I will have my vengeance, Landon. That is the way of our world. But more importantly, no one harms my fated.” Was this something he could live with?

“Fuck yes,” Monkey agreed.

“Too bad there’s only two of them. I wanted to kill something too,” Riker commented.

I ignored them and studied Landon. There was no disgust or objection within his gaze.

Since I could not resist touching him, I cupped his cheeks once more. I needed to make sure he understood. “Landon⁠—”

His hands rested over mine. “You do what you need to, Dashiel.”

Relief saturated my senses. He was accepting my world. Accepting me.

I brushed my thumb over his bottom lip, and he licked there when I pulled away, as if trying to taste my touch.

I wanted this done so I could take him away.

I wished for him to be in my cottage surrounded by nothing but woods. The two of us alone.

“You are leaving with Riker and Monkey.”

His brows pulled together. “What? Why? When? What about you?”

He wanted me with him. I would be soon enough.

“Wait with them just outside.” I glanced at Riker, my gaze asking him to take care of my fated.