Dark Elf (Preview)

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, 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. The right side of his face is mangled by deep scars and claw marks. 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 you look the more scars you notice on his body.

He turns so all you can see is the left side of his face. You can tell there is a beauty to him even with all the scars. You smile at him. “Thank you again,” you reach out and take hold of his hand. “I’m Clementine,” you introduce yourself as you heart starts to leap into your 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. He 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 he’s made. 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 is already loaded with wood so I just 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.”