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Althia was clearly hurt by the dark elf who attacked her, and I am sure the metallic scent that has mingled with her fragrance is her blood. Now is not the time nor the place for these thoughts, not when she has clearly been hurt. I want to protect her – but I also have to fight off the urge to force her onto the ground and lick the blood off her.
Images of Althia writhing beneath me follow me all the way home, even as we move together through the streets of Pythos.
I don’t think I can let them go.
I now know exactly what I’m going to do to her.
4
ALTHIA
So much has just gone down in the last few moments, all of which felt like a matter of seconds. Standing here next to me now is no doubt the singular most handsome dark elf I’ve ever laid my eyes on, certainly a rare sight to behold in this rotting cesspool of a city.
His skin matches the sky behind him as the evening casts a darkening blanket of deep blue over Pythos. His silver hair flows in the light breeze, and for a moment, it’s as if the strands are wisps of cloud. Violet eyes jump out like vibrant stars, gazing upon me so studiously.
The likar by his side is of equal grace in its appearance. Its glimmer of purple shines reflectively in the moonlight against its black fur. The creature looks up at me with dilated eyes as its tail gently swishes. I’m no likar expert, but it seems like the animal is deciding what to make of me.
Only now do I comprehend what the dark elf has said, his offer finally registering in my head. Although I’m calming down, my hands still shake even as I clench them in an effort to regain control.
The dark elf reaches for them in a gentle manner, an act that catches me by surprise. Yet I let him do so, surrendering my palms to his grip. He uses his thumbs to stroke the back of my hands in a circular motion, which helps put me at ease. All the while, he looks at me with a slightly raised eyebrow, perhaps awaiting the answer to his proposal.
“I just want to make sure I heard you correctly,” I say. “Did you ask me to be your mate?”
“I did,” he answers proudly. His grip on my hands strengthens somewhat as he draws himself up. He then lets go, taking a small step back. “Pardon my lack of manners. My name is Valkus, Valkus Elenil,” he continues, bowing his head. As he reels his head back up, he wears a proud smile which looks good on him.
“Althia Sinclair,” I reply.
“What a gorgeous name,” he chuckles. “With the formalities out of the way, what do you say to my offer? At the very least, I think you need someone to look out for you.”
I can’t deny that. As brave as I try to be, I’m still a woman, making me a bullseye target in these streets and on this planet in general. Yet as charming as this man is, my gut instincts remind me to be wary and not to immediately give out my trust to a stranger.
Valkus may have saved me from being attacked, and for that I am grateful. Alas, he is still a dark elf at the end of the day, coming from a species of people that prey on my kind. I’ve come to naturally shield off the bastards from coming close to me.
“I don’t know,” I reply. “This is all so sudden, I –”
“Come on, let us not be so hasty with our decisions, hmm?”
I can’t deny just how nice and pleasant he is, but what if it’s all just a front?
“You seem on edge,” he says, gesturing to the goosebumps peppering my forearms. He removes his coat and takes a step toward me. “Here.” He throws it over my shoulders.
Damn it… Surely this isn’t a good idea, a voice inside me says as I begin seriously considering the offer. His gentlemanly actions only make him hotter.
“Sorry.” I chuckle. “My head is just a bit of a mess right now.”
“Then that makes my proposal all the more valid,” he states with confidence. “Someone needs to look after you here, to shield you from the brutality of these streets. And, hey…”
He casts an amused look around him. “To be completely honest with you, I need to bring someone home in order to appease my nagging parents.”
“So what you’re saying is that it’ll be a win-win for the both of us?” I say teasingly.
“Precisely.” He beams with a proud smile. Turning, he points in the opposite direction I’d been walking in when I was attacked. “My place is this way. You’re still coming for tonight, whether you accept my proposal or not.”
I nod, even though it didn’t really sound like a question.
“Come then, let us walk and talk.”
He offers his arm. I feel obliged to take it, linking with him. Together, we break off into a slow stride, his pet likar ambling by my side.
