Page 60 of The Dark Elf's Surprise Baby

“How can you say that?” I wipe the tears from my eyes. When I look up at Layla, there is an angry glint in her eyes.

Her face has gone white, and her lips are pressed tightly together.

“Harper, I saw how much he loves you. I saw how much he loves Addie. He would not do anything to jeopardize your relationship.”

“Well, I have already left him,” I say, not willing to believe her. “And I am not going back.”

“What happened to your face?” Layla pulls away from me, examining me intently.

“It’s nothing.” I do not need to enrage Layla any further by telling her about what the zagfer did to me.

But even thinking about the zagfer and their attack makes me shudder with remembered pain.

I burst into tears again, and Layla pulls me close, so that she is cradling me against her chest.

I feel safe for the first time, in Layla’s arms, and allow myself to cry.

I know that Adelaide is safe, in Layla’s guest bedroom. In fact, she doesn't even know that anything is wrong.

I have almost cried myself to sleep, still in Layla’s unmoving arms, when there is a loud, great banging on Layla’s front door.

“What in the gods?” Layla looks up frantically. I barely look up, too emotionally exhausted to care.

I only look up when the banging is followed by shouting.

I know that voice anywhere. I will know that voice for the rest of my life. It will follow me forever, wherever I go.

Demethys.

What could he possibly want now?

“Don’t let him take Addie!” I pull away from Layla, standing up unsteadily. I am ready to go to my daughter and defend her from Demethys if I must.

“Please, I need to talk to her!” I hear Demethys shout. His voice breaks on the last word.

Kerym lets him into his house, and I cannot help but be shocked when I see Demethys.

I have never seen him this disheveled before.

His clothing and hair are in complete disarray. He is breathing heavily, as though he has just run a marathon, and his eyes are wild.

Demethys sees me as I hurry to Layla’s guest bedroom.

He falls on his knees at my feet.

“Please, for the love of the Thirteen,” he gasps the words. “Please just let me explain.”

I keep my face turned away from him.

“You shouldn’t be making such a disturbance.” My voice is stiff when I speak, but my heart pounds painfully in my chest.

Demethys gets up and takes my hands in both of his. I go to him unwillingly. I still do not have the capacity to deny him anything.

He leads me into Kerym and Layla’s living space at the front of the house.

“What happened to your face?” He sees my red, scratched face when I lift my head.

“It’s nothing. And we have nothing to talk about.” My voice is dull again. I am so tired. I am so tired that I want to cry.

---