The Elf smiled nastily. “If you hurt me, there’ll be no one left to feed you.” He snapped his fingers, and the magical bindings that surrounded her fell away, making her stumble. Her feet caught on the hay that was piled up haphazardly around the stall, and as before, Ryu shot out a hand to keep her from meeting the floor.
He turned to face her, his gaze locking with hers.
As if in a dream, his other hand came up to cup her face, his thumb gently running over her cheekbone.
In that moment, time seemed to stand still. The world faded away, leaving only the two of them, staring at each other in surprise, confusion, and some other feeling that made her want to draw closer to him—
Ella blinked, and it was as if that little action broke the spell that had fallen over them. They both pulled away, and the silence between them was suffocating.
“I’ve brought you supper,” Ryu said, turning away. Ella shook her head, dispelling the strange thoughts that wanted to crowd into her mind.
“I’ll be back tomorrow morning with breakfast,” he said shortly, turning on his heel and marching to the door.
“I need a change of clothes, too,” Ella called, and he halted at the door, his back to her, before nodding.
And then she was left alone again.
Finally, she allowed the tears to come, and Ella sank into the hay that was her makeshift bed, crying until no more tears came.
After she was all cried out, Ella sat up, and pulled the plate in the corner toward her. There was a small bowl of rice balls in there. Not her favorite, but she needed to keep her strength up.
If the Elf thought she had given up, he was in for a surprise.
She would find a way to escape Ryu’s clutches and return to her village, where she belonged. She would bide her time, gather her strength, and wait for another opportunity.
She would find a way to escape, to return to her village.
Or she would die trying.
.
CHAPTER SIX
As he stomped back to his room, Ryu’s mind spun with confusion and self-doubt.
Back there in the stables, when he and the human—Ella, her name wasElla—had stared at each other, there had been a moment when…
It had felt like the mating call.
He shook his head. Preposterous.
How could he, an Elf of noble blood, be attracted to a mere human?
Was he bound to repeat the mistakes of his father before him?
No. Never. He wouldn’t take a human mate. He was the heir to the Twilight Throne. He had a purpose. A destiny.
Yet, the undeniable chemistry between them could not be denied.
He left the stables in a daze, his steps taking him towards his bed chamber. He sank onto the edge of his bed, his mind and heart in turmoil. Images of her face swirled in his thoughts—her skin had been so soft under his fingers…what would her hair feel like, when it whispered over his bare skin?
Unbidden, there came to him the memory of the body beneath the robes, and he released a soft hiss of annoyance as he felt heat spread over his body, and lust slammed into him.
Whywas he having these thoughts about her?
Ryu shook his head, and stretched out on his bed. He was just tired. That was all.
The night stretched on, filled with restless thoughts and unanswered questions.
