Dark Elf Boyfriend (complete)

    I was young when I got married, probably too young. That’s why, when my husband died, it seemed like such a tragedy. I was too young to be a widow, too young to have a baby on my own. Sophie wasn’t even born yet. He never got to see her, not even once. He knew I was pregnant before he was shipped off, but that’s about it.

    I devoted my life to Sophie after that. I wanted her to grow healthy and independent, something I feel that I lacked. I didn’t want her to lose something so young like I did. I wanted her to grow up knowing safety and comfort for as long as possible. Isn’t that what any parent wants? I also made sure Sophie knew the things her father did. She was so much like him; it was like his spirit was inside her. I swear, Sophie could climb before she could walk. She took to water like a fish; I never knew a child who insisted on having baths as much as she did. Even as a baby if I wanted to comfort her a warm bath was all it took. I swear, by the time she was three I thought she could fly. 

    My parents asked me to go out and meet people. Sophie needs a father was a regular mantra of theirs. Sophie had a father, and I knew he was guiding her. A male figure in her life? She had several; my brother was always around, both sets of grandparents were still around, my uncle spoiled her more than any of them. My uncle, Eric, was the reason I even met my husband. He had raised him since his home life was far from perfect. My husband’s father was a drunk so he would often run away to the docks that my uncle owned and operated. He taught him everything he knew and considered him a son. So to him, Sophie was his granddaughter as well as his great niece.

    One day, on one of his many visits, he brings Sophie the usual gift. This time, it’s a replica of her father’s boat. As she played with it in the yard, Eric came and sat beside me.

    “I still have it,” he tells me, “Dominic’s boat.”

    “I know you do,” I murmur.

    He puts his arm around me and squeezes extra tight. “I miss him; I can’t imagine how you feel somedays.”

    “I have Sophie, she helps.” I smile up at Eric. “You’ve got a plan don’t you?”

    He grins. “You always could read me better than anyone.” He releases me and reaches into the pocket of his vest. He pulls out a map and shows it to me. “I want to take you and Sophie on a little adventure. There’s an island I go to often. I’ve built a cabin there, and I always intended to give it to you and Dominic. I think Sophie should have it.”

    I look over the map and sigh. “I don’t know, Eric,” I murmur.

    He rubs my back. “You need a vacation, Clemmy,” she says.

    I groan. “I hate that nickname.”

    “What else should I call you?” Eric chuckles. “Clement? Tiny?”

    I grin at him. “Clementine is my name; you could try it.”

    He rolls his eyes. “I told your mother that was a stupid name. Told her she should have named you Erica.”

    I give him an exasperated look, and he grins, the one gold tooth of his glimmers in the sun. “Come on; I know Dominic would want Sophie to enjoy the ocean. You can’t tell me he wouldn’t have her on the boat every chance he got.”

    “We would live on a boat if it were up to him,” I sigh. You watch Sophie running around with the boat, and I smile softly. “It’s close to Obresh,” you say. “I can visit Meggie afterward.”

    Eric claps me on the back. “It’s settled then.” He runs out into the yard to tell Sophie, and she squeals with excitement. I can say already that until this trip happens, it is all she is ever going to talk about. She plans to the absolute tiniest detail what she’s going to pack, packs it, then unpacks it, then packs it again. She runs back and forth like a chicken with her head cut off, just excited as she can possibly be.

    Once the day of the trip comes, we go to the dock where Eric has Dominic’s boat all ready to go. It looks brand new, the same as when Dominic had it. He had taken it from an old fisherman and fixed it, basically rebuilding it by himself. I can remember coming to the dock and watching him work. I used to call him the Otter with a Hammer, because of his sleek frame and furry nature. 

    “Up we go!” Eric helps Sophie onto the boat while I’m daydreaming of days gone. He then offers his hand to me. “It’s time to look forward, Clemmy. You can’t look back now.”

    I take his hand, squeezing it as he helps me ease into the boat. I’ve not stood on this deck in six years, and it feels like I’m in the past. I half expect to see Dominic run around the corner and scoop Sophie up at any second. I know that is a fantasy and I need to leave it behind as Eric said.

    We set sail, and the wind carries us away. Eric shows Sophie how to steer, and he quizzes her on her already extensive knowledge of sailing and ships. She’s already a master of it, able to name each thing on the boat. She even knows the different types of clouds and what they signal. 

    “Oh well, if you know all that then can you talk like a sailor?” Eric grins teasingly, and I glare at him from my seat on the deck.

    Sophie tilts her head to one side and squints up at him. “What does that mean?”

    “Well,” Eric squats down before her. “I don’t think your mother wants me to teach you how to talk like a sailor.”

    Sophie’s mouth gapes open, and her arms snap across her chest. “Why not?” She stomps her little foot, and it is all Eric can do to keep from laughing his old ass off.

    I walk up to them and put my hands on Sophie’s shoulders. “Your uncle is playing a cruel joke on me,” I tell her.

    Sophie pouts at up me, glaring as hard as her little eyes can. “But I want to talk like a sailor, mommy!”

    I shoot her glare back at Eric who has fallen onto his backside and is laughing into his knees. “Talking like a sailor isn’t nice.”

    “Who said I was nice?”

    Eric can’t hold back any longer and has busted out laughing. He’s holding his gut, and Sophie is grinning. I roll my eyes and lead Sophie back to the deck where she was painting on a piece of old canvas.

    “Talking like a sailor,” I explain to her. “Is what your grandpa does when he thinks you aren’t listening.”

    “You mean the bad words?” Sophie asks with a cocked up eyebrow, a mirror image of what her father did.

    I nod, pressing my lips into a tight line. “Yup. The bad words. Talking like a sailor means you say those bads words almost every other line. It has nothing to do with working on a boat or being on the ocean.”

    “Oh,” she seems disappointed. “Did Daddy talk like that?” She asks.

    I sigh and smile softly. “Sometimes he did but not often.”

    Sophie nods in understanding. “Ok, I just wanted to be like him.”

    I kiss her forehead and place a paintbrush back into her hand. “I know you do.”

    It’s dark when we reach the island and Eric leads us to the cabin with a torch. It’s nestled deep within the trees. We come upon a river, and a stone path is built alongside it, leading to the cabin, and as we walk, we hear screaming coming from the trees.

    “What was that?” I gasp, holding Sophie close to me.

    “That’s just Old Red,” Eric replies. 

    I frown at him. “Old Red?”

    He nods. “He’s been with this jungle since it was nothing but weeds. He protects it. I’ve only seen him once. He chased me up a tree and tried to cut it down.”

    The screams ring out again, and I hear many, many whispers echoing from all around me. “You didn’t mention this at all.”

    “You get used to it. I practically forgot about the old bastard.” He unlocks the cabin, and we go inside. He lights lanterns and shows us around. For a cabin, he built himself it’s rather large. There are three bedrooms, so each of us has a private room. Sophie is already half asleep in my arms, so I tuck her into bed and kiss her cheek.

    I can barely hear it, but I still can hear the thing Eric called Old Red screaming outside. I frown and snap the curtains shut and double check that the door is locked.

    “Don’t worry about anything,” Eric says. “Old Red isn’t even the worst of what is in the jungle.”

    I glare up at him. “That’s not as comforting as you think it is.”

    He chuckles. “The lamia rule this place now,” he murmurs. “They’ve taken all of Old Red’s power. They’re kind to women,” he chuckles with a somewhat nostalgic grin. “So you and Sophie would be quite alright.”

    “You talk as if you know,” I look him over.

    “They’re beautiful, but boy did they hate me,” he sighs and chuckles, shaking his head as he gazes into the distance. “Young love.”

    I grimace, not at all curious about this story of his. “Is there anything I need to do?”

    He shakes his head. “I’ll take care of everything, Clemmy,” he kisses my forehead. “Go to sleep. I’m sure Sophie will be up before the sun.”

    “Me too,” I sigh. “Don’t stay up too late.” I go to my room and air out the blankets and sheets before I nestle down into bed. The screaming has thankfully stopped, but I can still hear the whispers and murmurs echoing all around. It’s hard to find sleep, but it comes eventually. 

    I wake up to Sophie crawling in bed with me, and she’s eager to start her adventures and laying her claim on the island. She bounces and giggles until I wake up and she runs into the kitchen where Eric has blessedly made breakfast and tea.

    “There’s my two mermaids!” Eric throws a pancake into the air and lets it plop down on Sophie’s head.

    “Don’t waste food, Uncle Eric!” Sophie giggles as she takes the pancake from the top of her head.

    “Food? That’s you sunhat!” Eric grins at her. He picks her up and plops her down at the table.

    I fix my tea and watch as Sophie eats her food, her eyes are all aglow, and her grin is so big. At that moment all I see is Dominic in her. Eric hands me my plate.

    “Good morning, Clemmy. Sleep well?”

    I sigh. “Aside from all that noise outside.”

    “The whispers?” He asks then shrugs. “You get used to it. I was up all night and never noticed it at all.”

    “You didn’t sleep?” Sophie gasps. As much as she loves her play Sophie has always been a child who enjoyed her bedtime and naps.

    “No!” Eric grins at her. “I never sleep!”

    “You have to sleep!” Sophie gasps in horror.

    I shake my head as I eat and I look out the window, seeing the dense foliage of the jungle around us. It’s beautiful and dark with a thick mist as tall as Sophie. It was hard to believe it was already late in the morning. 

    After breakfast, we take Sophie out onto the beach. It was strange walking from the dark, lush forest and onto the bright sandy beach. The sand on the beach is soft pink which gives Sophie nothing but pure joy. She runs along the shore, chasing seagulls and collecting shells. She squeals with delight when she finds crabs scuttling along the ebbing waters. I take her out into the water, and it’s all I can do to keep her darting away from me. She’s a better swimmer than I could ever hope to be.

    After lunch, Eric passes out on the beach. I sit in the shade and watch as Sophie builds a sandcastle city. I’m not sure when but I fell asleep too. I wake up and see Sophie’s city but not Sophie. I look around, but I don’t see her. Panic starts to swell up inside me, and I jump to my feet. 

    “Sophie!” I cry out. “Sophie!”

    Eric groans and sits up. “Clemmy what’s-”

    “I can’t find Sophie!” I say to him, and that’s when I hear the screams. Old Red is screaming, and he is painfully close. Eric and I both run into the trees, following the cries until they are suddenly cut off. 

    “Oh no!” I sprint faster, trying to pinpoint the direction the screams came. I run through the river and fall face first into the waters. As I try to pick myself up, I see a body floating in the water. “Sophie!” I lunge at it, grabbing it. As I turn it over, I see a horrible skull-like face that’s bright red. The eyes suddenly snap open, showing bright white-blue with a black pinpoint. I scream and let it go, scrambling out of the river.

    “Mommy!”

    I look up, seeing Sophie run to me. “Baby!” I grab her in my arms and hold her tight.

    Eric crosses the river as Old Red floats away. “Sophie, you scared us!”

    “I’m sorry. You both fell asleep, so I went back to get you some tea.” She rubs her eyes. “Then that man came out of the jungle and started screaming, so I just ran.”

    I squeeze her tight. “From now on, if that happens to wake us up. Don’t go anywhere ok?”

    She nods. “The nice man helped me.”

    “Nice man?” I murmur.

    Sophie points back, and I see a tall figure standing in the shadows. I stand up and go towards him, but he takes a few steps back, staying hidden.

    “Thank you,” I whisper. “Thank you so much for protecting her.”

    “She was in no real danger.” His voice is so deep and sultry I feel like a virgin again for the briefest moment. “Old Red wouldn’t ever do harm, but he was scaring her so…” he clears his throat.

    “Thank you!” Sophie rushes forward, capturing him and hugging him.

    He rubs the top of her head. “Don’t go running off into the jungle like that again. Ok?” He says with a gentle voice. “Listen to your mother.”

    “I will,” she then takes his hand, and she looks back at me. “Mommy? Can we have him over for dinner?”

    I smile. “Of course! I owe him my thanks.”

    “No, that’s not-” He tried to argue.

    “Nonsense!” Eric claps his hands together. “I had something special put away, and tonight I’ll put it on the fire. We insist. What’s your name young man?”

    He chuckles at those words. “Saraelos,” he replies.

    “Come with us then, Saraelos,” Eric picks up Sophie and carries her across the river.

    I stand waiting, looking at Saraelos in the shadows. He steps out slowly, his skin is this dark purple almost black, and it almost seems to glitter. He’s tall and broad-shouldered with a narrow waist. His long silvery hair is tied back with braids, and one long one drapes down his shoulder. His ears are long and pointed, angled downward like a sad dog. His eyes are black with a pure white iris, well, one eye is. His right eye is missing and is permanently shut. Deep scars and claw marks mangle the right side of his face. There is a scar going from the corner of his mouth and all the way up to his ear, half of which is missing. The more I look, the more scars I notice on his body.

    He turns, so all I can see is the left side of his face. I can tell there is a beauty to him even with all the scars. I smile at him. “Thank you again,” I reach out and take hold of his hand. “I’m Clementine,” I introduce yourself as your heart starts to leap into my throat. “I’m very pleased to meet you, Saraelos.” 

    We go back to the cabin, and I can already tell Sophie has a new friend. She shows Saraelos to her room, showing off her toy boat and telling him everything about sailing. I smile watching them, enjoying the fact that Saraelos seems just as interested as Sophie does. He asks her questions and lets her explain in depth. Saraelos never seems aggravated or annoyed by her. Instead, he looks just as enamored with her as she does with him.

    During dinner, Eric serves rum with the meal. I’ve only had wine in years, and the rum makes me feel warm and jovial. After supper I notice Sophie waning, her head bobs up and down, but she tries to stay awake and remain part of the conversation.

    “I’ll put her down,” Eric whispers. “Why don’t you two go out onto the porch?” He motions out back where there’s a sitting area with a fireplace. He takes Sophie to put her to bed.

    I look over at Saraelos who has placed himself so that all I see is his left side. “Would you like a refill?” I offer the bottle of rum.

    “Oh,” he glances at me then holds out his cup. I pour for him and take my glass. “I can start a fire. It’ll be nice.”

    He follows me outside, the fire pit already filled with wood, so I have to get it started. 

    “Your family is so kind,” Saraelos murmurs as the fire begins to crackle.

    I go and sit beside him, taking my rum back into my hands. “Are you not used to that?”

    He’s silent and sips his rum. “Your husband is a good man.”

    I suddenly bust out laughing, and this startles him. I shake my head and grin up at him. “That is my uncle!” I try to calm my laughter. “I am not married.”

    “Oh,” he gasps. “Then is Sophie…?”

    I sigh and lean back. “My husband died before she was born.” I take a slow sip of the rum. 

    “A widow,” he murmurs and glances down into his drink. “That’s such a shame.”

    “How so?” I glance up at him. The rum has made me feel warm and a little flirty. Saraelos is attractive and pleasant with my daughter. I may have only just met him, but I already have a slight crush. 

    He’s quiet again, and he tilts his head down. “It just is.”

    I place my hand on his knee. “What about you?” I feel him flinch as I touch. “Are you attached?”

    “No,” he growls.

    “That’s such a shame,” I feel a bit smug.

    He clears his throat. “Is it?”

    “You’re handsome.” The rum has unlocked my tongue as well as a few other things. “You try to hide your scars, but they don’t bother me.” I sit up and slip my palm to the right side of his face. He scowls as I touch, but I quickly turn him to face me. I gently rub his scars, running my fingertips along them.

    “Don’t-” he growls.

    “Does it hurt?” I meet his gaze.

    He shakes his head. “Not for a long time.” he takes hold of my hand on his face. “It’s just...embarrassing now.”

    I pinch my brow slightly as I look at him. “Why?”

    He grunts and hesitates, averting his gaze then looking back at me. “You’re so lovely,” he whispers.

    My heart stops in my chest. I lick my lips. “You know...I never properly thanked you for saving Sophie.”

    “You don’t have to,” he shakes his head.

    I tilt his head up, and I stretch my neck out. “I do.” I kiss him, and at first, he flinches, but he eases back. He returns my kiss and then pulls away.

    “The rum,” he murmurs.

    “What about it?” I place my hand on his chest.

    He sets the glasses away. “I think you’ve had too much.”

    I snuggle into his side, and he puts his arm around me. “Don’t you want to kiss me more?” I murmur.

    “Of course,” he rubs my back. “But the rum could be speaking for you.”

    “I want it,” I pout. I fall asleep soon after.

    I wake up in bed with a slight headache. I groan as I wake up, stretching and staring up at the ceiling. A see a millipede scurry across the wood and into a crack at the corner. I sigh and sit up. I then hear Sophie giggling. I open my window and see her and Saraelos at the river. He’s holding a spear with many fish on the tip and Sophie is clapping her hands with glee. She looks up and sees me, waving her little hand. Saraelos turns and waves, I smile and wave back.

I meet them in the kitchen where Sophie hugs me tight. “We caught breakfast, mommy!” She shows me the spear with all the fish on it.

“That's amazing, did you catch all these?” I ask.

“I wish!” Sophie laughs. “Saraelos did!”

I smile at him, and he looks away. “That’s very kind of him. Why don’t you go wash up while we get breakfast ready?”

She bobs her head and flies into the bathroom. I go up to Saraelos and take the spear. “Thank you again.”

“It’s nothing really.” 

I take the fish to the sink and start removing the scales. “For last night as well.” I glance up at him. “Although, I wouldn’t take that kiss back.”

“You wouldn’t?” He gasps.

I wash my hands and walk over to him. “Come here,” I make him dip down and place another kiss on his scar covered lips. I kiss his right cheek and jaw then look up at him. “I like you,” I tell him with a whisper. “I’d like to get to know you even better.”

He grunts and shakes his head but comes back, kissing me again. “I feel the same.”

I step away as Sophie comes running out of the bathroom. “All clean!” She shows her hands off to me.

“Then come help me filet these. I think your uncle is still asleep.” I say, pulling up a stool so she can season the fish as I cut them.

Saraelos shows us around the jungle that afternoon. He takes us high up into the trees and to his home. He’s built himself a place into the treetops, somewhere that once the rainy season starts, his home won’t get flooded. 

“Your uncle built his cabin on the side of the river that doesn’t flood,” he explains. “But on this side, it will all be underwater for at least two months.”

“Oh wow!” Sophie gasps as she gazes out his window.

“It’s beautiful nonetheless,” I say.

Saraelos smiles down at me. “It is home. I want somewhere I can be comfortable.”

After he makes us lunch, using lots of fresh fruits, Sophie goes down for a nap on his bed. He offers me a drink made from the juice of bright pink fruit, and we sit together. He is characteristically silent, but as I cozy up to him, he makes frustrated grunts.

“Is something wrong?” I ask him.

“You’re so close,” he murmurs.

I bite back my smirk. “Is that bad?”

He sighs. “I am attracted to you,” he answers. “So everything just adds up.” He looks down at me. “Your scent, your skin, everything just adds up.”

I take his hand, kissing his palm and wrist. “There’s no rum, so I know it isn’t speaking for me this time.” I sit up, kissing him and moving into his lap. I kiss him heatedly, moaning softly as his bigs hands wrap around my hips. He kisses my neck and chest, groaning as his fingers dig into my rear.

“We shouldn’t,” he moans into my ear.

I kiss him again. “I know,” I kiss him again and trail them down his chest and stomach until I’m kneeling before him between his legs.

“Clementine, don’t,” he growls.

I move his loincloth aside and see he’s already half hard. His cock is long and pretty, the head of it is slightly pointed and shiny. I lick him, going from tip to his sack. Above me, he strains to keep his voice down.

I feel his pulse throb against my tongue. I’ve not felt this excited in so long. I take him into my mouth, swirling my tongue around his shaft as I suck upon him. He groans and gasps, cupping his hand around his mouth while his other grabs the back of my head. I feel a strange power in this position, knowing I am doing something so simple that is causing him such pleasure. I knead my hands into his thighs. I can feel him pulsing, and his growing moans signal his imminent release.

“Fuck, oh no,” he groans. “Clementine,” he pants, barely able to get my name out as he cums. His thick seed goes down my throat and coats my tongue. I keep sucking him until every drop has spilled. I pant as I pull back, strings of saliva connecting me to his tip. He’s panting and weak, his body going slack on the seat. I use his loincloth to wipe my mouth, and I climb back into his lap, kissing my neck and stroking his chest.

“Why…” he swallows. “Why did you do that?”

I kiss his cheek. “Why not?”

He kisses me, cupping my cheek and groaning. “I could have taken care of you.”

I place my finger on his lips. “Later,” I whisper. “I just wanted to have a bit of fun for the time being.”

After Sophie’s nap, we head back to the cabin. After dinner and Sophie is put to bed Eric is soon to follow. Saraelos and I are left alone. He then takes me by the hand and kisses me.

“Let me pay back the favor,” he growls into my ear.

I blush and smirk up at him. “Your place?” I ask.

He picks me up, carrying me through the dark forest and back up into his treehouse. He brings me to his bed, laying me down and climbing on top of me. He kisses me and runs his hands over my body, pushing up my skirts and groping my thighs and hips. 

“I have scars too,” I whisper to him. I pull up my dress, showing him the deep pink scar on my stomach from where they had to cut Sophie out. “She was breached,” I explain.

He touches my belly, dipping down to kiss it. I moan softly, watching him as his lips trail to my hips. I open my thighs for him, letting his kisses linger there. I chew on my lip as his fingers touch my folds. He kisses my mound as his fingers open me. 

“Don’t stare too much,” I whimper.

“How could I not?” He kisses my lips, and I shiver. His long tongue laps from bottom to top, and I can’t keep my voice in check. I gasp and giggle with excitement. He takes his time, gently rubbing me and bathing my slit with kisses. As he slowly eases a finger inside, I realize how long it’s been. He moans against me as his lips encircle my clit. He’s gentle with me, taking his time and learning the delicate ins and outs of my body. He reaches up with his free hand, touching my breast and kneading the soft flesh.

I gasp and shudder as my back arches off the bed. I reach down, grabbing his hair and tangling my fingers in it. I grunt and whine, rolling my hips as his finger starts to move faster and his lips press closer to my clit. I can feel him flood me, filling me with this forgotten storm. It rumbles and roars, shaking me to my core. I grunt and whimper, trembling and bucking even as he pulls away from me.

He licks his lips and comes down on me again. He presses his muscular body against mine, and I hold onto him for dear life. I kiss him, trying to thank him without speaking. I loop my legs around his waist, urging him to finish me off once and for all.

He strokes my hair from my face. “Are you sure?” He whispers.

“More than anything,” I mewl. I run my hands up the back of his neck. “I know now I came here to find you. Sophie and I...we’ve been waiting for you.”

He smiles softly, kissing me as he holds me. “Do you believe that?”

“With all my heart.” I touch his mangled cheek. “I think Dominic wanted us to find each other.”

He nuzzles into my palm, grunting. “Clementine,” he growls.

“I want you,” I whisper. “Please. Don’t make me wait any longer, Saraelos.” I turn him to face me again. “Don’t you want me?”

He kisses me, and I feel his cock rub against my folds. I gasp as he ruts, coating himself in my slickness. “I need you,” he growls. He then slips inside me. His long cock is slowly filling me, and my inner walls stretch to accommodate him, and he feels so good. He rocks me slowly, ever gentle and considerate of me. He touches me, stroking my body and kissing me like I’m something precious.

I kiss his scars and whisper into his ear how beautiful I know he is. It is not just his body that calls out to me, although it calls pretty loudly. I love his voice, his mind, I love his gentle touch and how wonderful he is with Sophie. His heart reaches out for mine, and I can feel that gravity between us is strong.

His hips start to rock faster, and I tighten my thighs around his waist. I moan into his ear, my words fading into gasps and cries of pleasure. He grunts and snarls, sounding lewder the faster he moves. He holds fast to me and kisses me as the storm begins to rumble again. Thunder and lightning travel through both of us and I feel his seed flow inside me. It is hot, and it starts to dribble out. He collapses on top of me, resting his scarred cheek on my bosom. 

After a few moments of heavy breathing and recovery, he sits up and kisses my cheek. “Are you alright?” He asks. He brushes my wet hair away from my face. “How do you feel? Do you need anything?”

I smile serenely and kiss him. “I need you to do that again,” I purr.

His jaw drops, and he chuckles. “We have all night.” He stands up, and I whine, I grab his hand. “I’m getting you a drink,” he growls. “Stay there.”

I watch him go, admiring the dimples in his ass. I bite my lip and roll back over in bed. I touch my body, running my hands down my belly and between my legs. I feel tender and squishy, and his cum is still slowly oozing out of me. I lick my fingers, tasting him again. 

I sit up as he comes back and I take the cold drink of water. “Thank you,” I sigh.

He kisses my neck and rubs my back. “I should be thanking you. You gave me such a wonderful gift tonight.”

“I’ll give you lots more,” I whisper to him.

He touches my cheek and rubs his thumb across my bottom lip. “You don’t even realize what it is you gave me, do you?”

I tilt my head, and he kisses me softly. 

“You’ve given me comfort,” he whispers. “You’ve given me an excitement for life I had forgotten.” He takes my hands and squeezes them. “I have a sense of peace in my heart I have not felt since I was small.”

I smile at him. “I feel that too.” I take my hands back and wrap my arms around his neck. “Stay with me,” I whisper. “Come home with Sophie and me. Love us. Watch over us.”

“Even with this face?” He asks.

“Especially with that face.” I beam at him. “Be mine.”

He kisses me, easing me back down onto the bed. “Forever,” he growls into my ear.

When we tell Sophie that Saraelos is coming back with us, she is all excitement. She hugs onto him and kisses his face all over. Eric is a little most suspect, but he has his reasons to be. After all, for so long he was the only one to watch out for us. Now, he had to share that responsibility with Saraelos.

It takes him awhile to adjust to life off of his secluded island. He’s not using to wearing the clothes, but he makes a good effort. Sophie couldn’t be happier as he’s built her a treehouse out back as well as dug her a pool.

One evening, a couple of months after the island, I place his hand over my belly. “What is this?” he whispers.

“It’s yours,” I grin up at him. “Sophie is going to be a big sister.”

His eyes widen, and his mouth hangs open wide. He drops to his knees and presses his forehead to my belly. He whispers something in another tongue, and he kisses my stomach. 

“What was that?” I ask.

“A prayer,” he grins up at me. “You keep giving to me.”

I pull him up and kiss him. “You don’t see what you’ve given me,” I tell him. 

He hugs me tight and spins me around then sets me down gently. “I can’t wait to tell Sophie,” he whispers. “She’s going to be so excited,” he places his big hand over my belly, and a somber expression comes over his face. “I will always be beside you. I promise. You will never be alone.”

“I know, my love.” I kiss him. “With all my heart.”