with him. Vaeril looks uncomfortable as he stands at the threshold with his hands behind his back, replying politely in elvish. As soon as he sees me, he seems to relax, and although he doesn’t smile, his frown eases and something shines in his eyes that makes my stomach flip.
The female elf glances over her shoulder as Vaeril looks away from her, and she makes a little high-pitched noise of surprise before hastily backing away. Watching her with a sigh, I shake my head. Perhaps I can ask Vaeril to speak to her for me, to assure her that I won’t harm her.
“Good morning, Clarissa.” His voice rolls over me and pulls my attention back to him. After tea with the queen, Vaeril led me to my room and allowed me to rest alone. Although I craved some time alone, and the time in the cell didn’t count, I’m pleased to see him again. He’s wearing a similarly styled jacket to the one from yesterday, this one in a shade of dark green, but it has the same bronze buttons and detailing that resembles the queen. Jealousy tries to plant itself in my mind—he’s wearing her colours—but I push the feeling away.
“Good morning, Vaeril,” I reply, a small smile gracing my lips as he eyes me up and down, making no effort to hide his appraisal.
“Elvish clothing suits you.”
A blush tinges my cheeks again, but I own it. I know I look good. I finally get to go out without having to magic my hair so I fit in with the rest of the kingdom. Here, I’m already so different, I might as well wear my true skin.
“Thank you, it’s very different,” I respond, brushing my hand down the flowing fabric. I grip my left wrist, and with it, my slave and Goddess marks. I don’t know where my original clothes went, but I can’t find my silver cuffs, and since this dress is sleeveless, there is nothing to hide them.
I was just thinking about how great it is to wear my own skin and not hide who I am. These marks show my past, they show I survived it. That’s nothing to be ashamed of, I think, and I know I’m right. Taking a deep breath, I uncover my marks, letting my hands rest at my sides. Vaeril watches me the whole time, and he nods his head slightly in approval, the corner of his lips pulling up into a half smile.
“I still find it odd to see you dressed up in clothing like this.” Changing the topic quickly, I gesture to his smart jacket and leggings.
“Ah, this is just court clothing. I’m far more comfortable in my work clothes,” he says with a shrug, pulling at the jacket. At the mention of work clothes, my mind flashes back to him working bare chested in only dark leggings as he laboured at the forge, the light from the fire glistening off his muscular body. “Will you join me for breakfast? I have some people I’d like you to meet.”
“Oh,” I murmur stupidly, trying to pull my thoughts from the images in my brain of his half naked body.
“You’ve met one of them already,” he assures me, misunderstanding my monosyllabic response for anxiety. “You’ll be safe, I promise.” Taking a step closer, he places a hand on my shoulder.
I shake my head, knowing full well he wouldn’t introduce me to anyone who would wish me harm. “I’m not worried about that,” I tell him.
“Then what?” Confusion crosses his features as he leans against the doorframe.
“These are your closest friends, I want to make a good impression,” I reason, hoping he’ll understand what I’m trying to say. It’s important to me that his friends don’t just think I’m a worthless human like the queen believes. “I’m pretty sure Eldrin hates me, we did meet while I was locked up in the dungeons, after all.” A humourless laugh escapes me, I’m not sure why I’m so frustrated about that.
Vaeril just shrugs, his half smile back in place. “Eldrin hates everyone.”
“Well, that’s reassuring.” Letting out a tense breath, I look up at him and groan internally. There’s no way he’s going to let me out of this.
As if my discomfort is amusing, his smile spreads, and I find myself staring at him again. I once wished he would smile like that more often, but now I’m glad he doesn’t, I’d never get anything done.
Holding out his arm for me, I reluctantly link mine