Page 42 of Plaything of the Dark Elf

Dalia

We return to the sprawling manor, turning down a hall and heading toward a different, smaller garden on the property. He points out paintings of another property he owns in the countryside, but I miss everything he says about it. I can’t hear him when questions roar in my mind.

Why do I like this? Where is my hatred of this monster? I can barely even think of him as a monster after what he shared. He’s a person, like anyone else. He might not have to worry about where his next meal is coming from, but he didn’t have an easy life.

We walk outside, to the back of the manor. He offers his hand at the steps leading to the trimmed gardens. I take it without thinking. How does touching him come so easily? I watched him kill, order others to kill, he’s everything I’ve ever despised in the world. Cruelty, hatred, viciousness.

“I want to show you something special to me.”

He takes me through the vibrant garden courtyard. A fountain in the middle depicts the Warrior in all his glory, standing over defeated foes of all races… except humans. We probably don’t make the cut as worthy advisories, even when it comes to fountain art. On either side are the hedge mazes that I’ve navigated from my room up above, their entrances like vicious maws from the ground.

“This statue depicts the Warrior, but it’s also my father. He did everything he could to embody the Warrior’s ideals.”

I nod. The statue is so detailed it’s easy to see the resemblance. “I’m sure you make him proud.”

Etheron stares up at the impassive face. “I’m not so sure. I, too, have committed myself to the Warrior. Once I’ve beaten my father’s record for battle won, I’ll have it altered to my likeness.” He nods. “That will make him proud.”

I resist rolling my eyes. Men. “I can see why this is so special to you. You’ve devoted your whole life to the Warrior.”

The edges of his lips curl into a grin. “This isn’t special to me. It’s important, of course, but this isn’t what I wanted to show you. Just something along the way.” His hand squeezes mine. “Do you ever worship the Thirteen?”

My shoulders tighten. I most certainly never worship the Warrior. “The Mother and the Keeper, on occasion.”

He chuckles. “I can certainly believe that.” A finger traces my jaw down to my chin. “The Mother favors you, Dalia. You’ve done well in your prayers to her. I’ll have a statue commissioned, so you can continue your worship.”

“A statue! F-For me?”

His massive shoulders shrug. “I’m not going to worship the Mother, so, yes, for you.”

“Etheron.” I tilt my face down to hide from him. A statue? What is he thinking?

“Come. There’s more to see.”

He pulls on my hand, and for a moment I think we’re going into one of the hedges but he takes me past them, to a gated tower.

The three-story tower stands apart from the rest of the mansion. I’ve imagined it containing a library or maybe a private sparring ground given Etheron’s trade. Blocking us, and everyone I’ve watched pass the structure from my window, is a tall black gate. The steel bars bend and curl, forming the same types of runes that cover Etheron’s body. He waves a hand, and the gate swings open for us.

My breath catches. “What is this place?”

“You’ll see. It’s something…” He swallows hard. “It’s something that means a great deal to me. I… Well, you’ll see.”

My eyes narrow on his gray irises. The pain held is nearly too much to bear, and part of me pities him. Me, a sex slave, lowest of the low, actually pities a general of Vhiog.

We walk through a large metal door that opens automatically for Etheron and shuts behind us.

Inside, the stone walls climb all three stories, no second or third floors. Light spills in from the windows, all pouring over a woman laying on a stone altar in the center of the room.

“I don’t let others in these chambers because this is the most important person to me.”

The dark elf woman is gorgeous, putting all the others I’ve seen to shame. She’s so peaceful under the soft light. Who is she? Is she Etheron’s wife?

A frozen hand grips my heart. He’s opening up to me, and I foolishly believed it was to show me a place at his side, but he already has someone taking that place in his heart.

Gods, what was I thinking?Why do I keep believing he sees me as more than his slave? I wish I could be more to him, but he’s a general, and I’m… I’m just a human slave.

Then again, he doesn’t let others in here, so why did he bring me?

With a stern face, Etheron guides me up to the woman. His jaw flexes and a sheen covers his eyes.

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