Page 17 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody (Elven Fantasy Romance #3)

Chapter 16 Svenn

C ountless campfires stretched across the small woodland near Tavan flicker against the darkness of the night. It risks revealing our position to the enemy. The elves should have forsaken their comfort and warmth in exchange for safety. But it appears that I was worried for nothing. The crackling flames are controlled by the magic-wielding Mhlaryan elves. I watch as they maintain the embers and plumes of smoke from rising to the sky.

I shut my eyes and listen to the whispered conversations in the war camp. Most are prayers, farewells, and the usual talks of my possible betrayal. It pisses me off that there are criticisms of the young queen’s battle plan. Their mortal fears and doubts are natural, but I despise the words they use to ridicule Rhianelle.

These elves don’t fucking deserve her.

I stride towards the royal tent quickly before I start killing the next general who mocked the elf queen. A warm sensation settles in my chest when I hear Rhianelle scrambling towards the bed at the sound of my approaching footsteps.

I pause at the threshold, appreciating the sight of her lying unperturbed on the bed, her silver hair cascading past her shoulders, fanned across the pillow.

My ruination and salvation wrapped with a bow.

I couldn’t stomach the thought of this sweet and bright person having to grace a bloody battlefield tomorrow.

It makes me want to tear her enemies to pieces right this instant. But she wouldn’t like that. Rhianelle Wiolant is the kind of person who will show mercy even to her vilest opponent. I usually despise weakness in people, but her na?veness is almost endearing to me.

Nel is pretending to be asleep again. It’s a silent bidding for me to hold her without her having to admit that she wants me. I climb onto the bed and stay at my side.

A smile curves my lips when she rolls on the bed to reach for me on her own. Why am I playing along with this pretense? I know she put up this defense to protect herself. God knows, I’ve done plenty of things to deserve it.

Her dress slides a little, revealing the curve of her pale breast. The bond pulses under my skin, clawing like a trapped animal desperate for a way out. It wants me to claim her now.

No.

“You are divine, Nel.”

My knuckles brush her soft, supple lips. I relish in the memory of her kissing every scar, every imperfection marring my back in the washroom.

She cried for me.

No one has ever done it, not in my mortal life or the harsh existence afterwards as an undead. She was sobbing as if my suffering were her own.

“Are you awake?” I whisper to her skin.

Just once, I want her to admit that she wants me.

No movement or answer.

Last chance to run away. I’m not playing nice anymore.I rake my fingers through her soft curls, baring her throat to my lips. Rhianelle stirs and mumbles something unintelligible. I lick and kiss my way slowly from her shoulder to the hollow of her throat.

Come out and play, little fawn.

I push the soft material of her nightgown aside and palm one of her breasts. A ratchet in her heartbeat and she inhales deeply, her chest rising at the movement. My fingers continue teasing her until the tip is hardened and puckered. At least her body is honest. But Rhianelle’s eyes remain shuttered. She seems perfectly comfortable to keep this up, to keep pretending she’s asleep, to keep pretending I mean nothing to her.

It’s just the bond.

If I hear that one more time, I might slaughter every soul in this camp. Maybe that’s all I’ll ever be to her. Good enough to hold, good enough to bite, good enough to appease some strange fucking bond.

Could I accept that?

It doesn’t take long for me to figure out the answer to that question.

Yes.

I’m desperate enough to take whatever scraps she throws my way. Rhianelle has given me more than I thought possible. I should be grateful.

What am I doing touching her like this? There’s also the possibility she’s pretending to be asleep because she’s afraid of me.

Shit.

I’ve never thought of that.

This game she plays was adorable in the beginning, but dread brews deep in my gut. I start to pull away from her when I suddenly feel a tug.