novelxo The Dark Elf’s Surprise Baby: Chapter 6
Harper sleeps quietly, her breathing light, not moving. As though she is afraid of disturbing me, even in her unconsciousness.
I can watch her forever. She is so beautiful that I never want to take my eyes off her.
Her face is sweet, though her cheekbones are sharp. Her lashes are long, and her dark brows frame her face beautifully.
Her lips are plump and full. They are parted as she sleeps.
Perfect.
And now I will have to leave this perfection soon.
After Harper fell asleep, I slipped out of the room to my office and found the letter that the butler had left me.
I read it again and again, trying to make sense of it.
I am being called to the frontlines of another war. I understand why; I am one of the best strategists in my unit.
But it breaks my heart, having to leave Harper so soon after returning to her.
If I had my way, I would never leave her again. And when I leave now, my time away will be longer. And I will also be in direct danger.
I have never cared about being in danger before. Fighting in the war is an honorable thing after all.
Many elves feel it a privilege to fight and even die for the King.
But I have Harper now. I have to think about her. And now my body has grown cold from the thought of walking into a dangerous situation on purpose.
How can I do that to her? How can I leave her, knowing that I might not come back? And how can I disobey the orders from my commanding officer?
I get up, careful not to wake her, and pull on a robe. It is close to morning and the sun is stretching, creeping, over the horizon.
I do not know when I start pacing, but I soon find myself walking up and down the room. My footsteps are muffled by the plush rugs that cover the wooden floors.
Harper turns in her sleep, pulling the silk sheet to cover her more closely. I smile at the sight of her curves, barely covered by the silk.
You should order her dresses made of pure silk. She would look devastating in them, I think to myself.
I make a mental note not to forget this. I know that Harper still thinks of herself as a servant.
She would never expect such an extravagant gift.
I am calmer now that I am thinking of her and gifts I could get her. I love her, and showering her with all the beauties that Protheka has to offer brings me joy.
I sit down in one of the large armchairs next to the window. I sit there and think about the next expedition.
The next war.
We will be traveling North, destroying the enemy camps and bases of the orcs who plot against us.
The camps of the dirty beasts are popping up more and more often. Wiping them and their kind out is the only way for us dark elves to live in peace.
That is what my commanding officer says anyway.
This expedition could take a week. Or it could take six months. There is also no guarantee that I will come back in one piece. Or alive.
The orcs have been getting smarter and smarter. I have been examining the strategic moves they have made over the last few months.
Their moves rival the ones I would have made.
At least I have two weeks before this expedition starts. That gives me two weeks with Harper.
Two weeks in which I can cement our life together.
When the sun has risen some more, I go out to the hallway. I wait for one of the servants to pass by and request that breakfast be served within the hour.
She bobs her head obediently, a blush spreading over her face.
I realize then that the gown I am wearing is only loosely tied.
“Shit.” I almost burst into laughter at the absurdity of the situation.
I think it is time to wake Harper, I tell myself.
She is still deeply asleep, but must sense me coming up to her, because she rolls onto her back.
Harper opens her eyes, looking at me, and I become lost in her bright hazel eyes as I always do.
“Good morning,” her voice is still sleepy. “How did you sleep?” She sits up and I kiss her.
“I have never had a better night’s sleep.” I murmur against her lips.
Then, slipping my hands around her waist, I lift her into my arms.
She shrieks with laughter as I cradle her against me. Harper kisses my forehead and both my cheeks before leaning in to kiss me again.
I put her down and admire her perfect form as she scrambles for her gown. I swat her behind lightly and she laughs again.
“What are we doing?” Harper asks me curiously.
Breakfast won’t be ready just yet – I know the servants will be preparing a full breakfast.
But I have a different activity in mind. I take Harper’s hand in mine and lead her through to the other end of my large bedroom.
There are a set of double doors there and as through it, I can hear running water. The room was prepared early this morning, and Harper gasps as we walk in.
It is the bathing room, and there is a large bathtub in the center of the room. A smaller bathtub with bubbling warm water, powered by elvish magic, is in the corner of the room.
The bubbling water is a delicate pale pink; a result of flower petals being crushed together and made into a liquid.
I remove Harper’s gown, trailing my fingers down the center of her back as I help her into the warm water.
Then I follow her, sitting across from her so that our legs are interlocked. The bath is smaller but is large enough for both of us to fit.
I want to spend as much time with Harper as I can before I leave. I want her to feel loved and cherished.
I start by taking some more of the floral solution that is in a basin next to the bath and pouring it over her.
Then, with my hands, I wash her. I start at her neck, massaging the liquid into her skin.
She moans slightly, and I can feel that her muscles are tense beneath my hands.
What has she been doing to herself? My thoughts are almost frustrated. Harper should not be doing hard work any longer.
She lays back against the wall of the tub as my hands slip lower. I massage her shoulders, and then her arms.
I scoop up warm water and rinse the suds off her. Then I reach for more of the liquid.
Somewhere, one of the servants is singing. Their voice has managed to reach us even through all these walls.
Harper exhales sharply when I cup her breasts with both my hands. She pushes her body against my hands.
But my intention is not to make love to her now. I simply want to love her and nourish her.
There will be time later.
I hope.
I stroke her stomach, knead the muscles in her back, and massage her thighs and calves.
When I am finished, her eyes are closed, and she is humming slightly. I do not think she even knows that she is doing it.
She sighs heavily as I rinse myself, her eyes fluttering open. Harper looks slightly dazed as I help her out of the bath.
“Where are we going now?” She asks me.
“Get dressed sweetheart. We’re having breakfast next.” I reply and place a soft kiss on her forehead.
I cannot help but think about the letter in my study. And the expedition that waits for me.
It looms overhead like a dark cloud, and I feel as though it will burst open any minute and drown us all.
Harper pulls on a simple dress that flows and curves with her body. I walk behind her as we head to breakfast, my eyes fixed on the sway of her hips.
The servants have opened up the morning room, and there are bunches of flowers on every flat surface.
The room is already warm from the morning sun, and the breakfast table groans from the weight of the food on it.
“Spend the day with me.” I say as we tuck into the delicious food. “It is your day off today.”
“It isn’t actually.” She laughs.
“I’m your boss. I say that it is your day off.” I retort, returning her smile.
“You’re very bossy.”
“I try.” I shrug.
After breakfast we take a walk through the gardens. My mother established these gardens years before I was born.
Some of the trees are older than I am.
Harper carries a basket, and as we walk through the gardens, she picks fruit and flowers.
“Can you get that one for me? It’s too high.” I help her pick some bright, fresh fruit and we ensure that her basket is full.
I pick flowers to add to her loot and we start snacking on some of the fruit. I only realize that we have spent the entire day outside when the sky starts darkening.
“I guess it is time for dinner now.” Harper looks almost upset that we have to go back.
I pull her towards me.
“You know that I would spend the whole day here with you if I could.” My voice is gentle.
“Of course I know that” She smiles up at me.
We head back to the dining room where dinner has been served. We are halfway through dinner when Ivrir arrives.
I am instantly irritated. This is my time with Harper. No one should interrupt.
“What is it, Ivrir?”
“There is an urgent message for you master. It cannot be ignored.”