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“There are limits to what I can do, just like anything else,” I continue. “I can’t typically summon people or other sentient beings, and I can’t read minds or bend others to my will.” The obvious relief on Natalie’s face has me stifling another laugh, settling for a wide smile instead. Natalie hums thoughtfully as she surveys the food before us, as if she could figure out where it came from by looking hard enough at it.
I push my chair back, rising to my feet and offering Natalie my arm.
“Would you like to accompany me on a walk around the gardens?” I ask, eager to show off more. I don’t know where all of this confidence is coming from, but the way her eyes widen in wonder, how awe-struck she is by the simplest components of my world, makes me hungry to show her more.
“Gladly,” she responds, smiling up at me as she twines her small hand through the crook of my elbow. I lead us out of the french doors into the gardens, drinking in the obvious amazement on her face as she surveys the plot of artfully kept plants.
Natalie extends a hand, brushing her fingertips along the petals of a golden topiary. She glances at me as if to ask permission to explore, and I nod, offering her a small smile. She returns it before relinquishing my arm, wandering down the winding paths, stopping occasionally to touch or smell various plants.
I trail behind her, giving her the space to enjoy the garden in a way I never have. I’d never considered what my world may look like through human eyes. All of the things I consider to be mundane and ordinary become extraordinary with Natalie beside them. Something stirs in me, watching her smile and frolic amongst the metallic and black hues of the garden.
Even with the undercurrent of the expectations placed upon us, I find myself wanting to please her. I pluck a silvery, full lolanean blossom from a nearby bush before striding over to Natalie and offering it to her.
She grins, her pleasure with the flower palpable. She accepts it, tucking it behind her ear before leaning up onto the tips of her toes and pressing a soft kiss against my cheek. Stunned, I pull back slightly, my eyes finding hers as she gives me a sweet, coy smile.
“What was that for?” I ask, not bothering to keep the surprise out of my voice. Natalie giggles as she looks at me, giving me a one-shouldered shrug.
“For being such a gentleman.”
I smile at her, shocked at the softness such a small, fragile human can evoke from me. We stand there for a moment looking at each other, before something in Natalie’s gaze sobers.
“I think… I think I’d like to try,” she says softly, still holding my gaze.
“Try…?” I ask, not catching her meaning.
“Try. You know, to work with whatever this-” She motions between the two of us. “-is.”
My brows pull together, concern seeping into our otherwise enjoyable conversation. Surely she can’t think that I’m doing this in an attempt to get what I want? I’m about to ask as much when Natalie cuts me off.
“And no, before you ask, I haven’t changed my mind because I feel I don’t have another choice. I know you wouldn’t force anything on me. I just think… why not make the best of the situation we’re in? I know you can’t do anything about it, and neither can I, but maybe this all happened for a reason.”
My shock doubles as she finishes, and I’m at a loss for words as I take her in. Natalie chews her lower lip nervously, breaking my stare.
“Just… promise to be gentle with me, okay?”
“Of course,” I reply quickly, unable to stop myself as I draw her into my arms. “I’ll be as gentle as you want me to be,” I murmur, my gaze dropping to her lips as the distance between us closes.
In lieu of a response, Natalie lifts her face to mine, parting her lips slightly in a small sigh. This time, I take the hint, and lower my lips to hers in a soft, lingering kiss.
79
KHA’ZETH
I feel like a whelpling again.
Since that searing kiss that Natalie and I shared in the garden, there’s a fire roaring in my core, desire and something I can’t quite place pulsing through my veins. I’ve promised to be gentle with her, and I’m determined to keep my word, but Natalie brings something out in me that is going to make it very, very difficult to control myself.
After we finish our walk in the gardens, I escort Natalie to her room, promising to return soon and telling her she has free reign of the estate in my absence, although I doubt she’ll take advantage of it with the triplets running about.
Upon leaving, I instruct one of the zonak to look after her, telling him that she is not to be treated as a prisoner but that she is a guest, and is to be kept safe at all costs while I’m away. If he fails in absolutely any regard or displeases her in the slightest, I have no qualms killing him on the spot – and I tell him as much.
Knowing that she’s waiting for me at home sends a thrill running down my spine as the carriage jostles over the road. For some reason, Natalie makes me nervous – nervous in a way I haven’t been in a very, very long time.
I’m a powerful, dangerous doz’garoth, for Netia’s sake. And here I am, pining and daydreaming over a human woman. Even feeling as ridiculous as I do, however, I can’t shake the excitement I feel for what’s to come this evening.
I’ve never shared the same sentimentality surrounding my relationships and sex, but I’d be a fool to say that this dynamic is anything like my previous trysts, so I want desperately to do right by her.
Worrying over someone else’s feelings and expectations is still very new to me, but I hope she can see that I’m trying. Tonight needs to be perfect. I want to prove to her that I’m serious about what I’ve said, that I’m not going to treat her the way the dark elves have.
