Page 22 of The Dark Elf's Secret Baby
Still, like I told Harper—I wouldn’t trade my time with Kerym for anything because it brought me the little munchkin in front of me.
We continue chatting about everything and nothing while the sun climbs higher in the sky. It’s so warm here and wonderful. I swear, I never realized how cold I was on Tlouz until I moved to Zerva. I love living here, even if I’m far away from my family.
Amara and I send each other letters. She lets me know that Uncle Jethro and Aunt Leandra are doing well and I share stories about Jasper and how he’s doing in school. I don’t tell them about his magic and Amara doesn’t mention anything about Kerym.
It’s an unspoken agreement that we have.
“Mama!” Jasper starts crying and Addie looks guilty. He’s rubbing his eyes and Addie is trying to comfort him. Looks like Addie dumped some sand on him.
“Maybe it’s about time to go home?” Harper asks. When they get tired, they start acting out and it seems about that time for their mid-morning nap.
“Yeah,” I agree. “Come on Jasper. We’re gonna go home for naptime.”
“No, no, no, no,” he whines.
“Yes,” I sing-song back to him. We clean up and I pick him up, knowing that he’ll throw a fit if I let him walk. He’s tired and even though he protested, he’s almost out like a light before we even get halfway home.
14
Kerym
It feels uncomfortably familiar as I pace back and forth in my quarters. The boat is steady underneath me, and even though Zerva isn’t that far from Oshta, it’s far enough that I’m nearly vibrating with anxious energy when a knock sounds at my door.
Flashbacks hit me as I go to my door, recalling how similar this is to the last time I sought Layla out. I almost expect to see my old friend on the other side as I swing open the barrier, but instead, I’m met with one of the zagfer crew members.
“Lieutenant.” He inclines his head. “I am here to inform you that we will be docking soon, sir.”
My heart flutters nervously. “I’ll be above deck soon.”
“Anything for me to take on shore for you, sir?” His head is still bowed, and unlike my brother, I don’t get a power trip out of it. I’ve found I’m a little uncomfortable with how people treat me now in my new station.
I glance back at my room. I know I will be staying for a few days whether or not Layla is there. I had to arrange this as a work trip after all, to show the change in power and examine their product.
But I don’t want to worry with going straight to my quarters or being pestered by the zagfer when I’ll be focused on finding Layla.
“Not until I approve my quarters,” I say with finality. I want the option to crawl back onto the boat and hide if this all goes terribly wrong.
“Of course, sir.”
He stays in front of me, and it takes me a beat too long to realize why. “You’re dismissed,” I finally remember to say and he scurries away, never looking me in the eye.
A small smile curls at the edge of my lips as I think of what Layla would say if she were here. She’d tease me for his behavior, talking about how high and mighty I must be. She’d curtsey to me, knowing damn well that I’m the only one on my knees. I’ve been subservient to that human woman since we met, and she’s had power over me since.
Sucking in a deep breath, I head above deck. I want to see the island as we approach, and I’m surprised to see so many people littering the docks. My heart squeezes as I take in their small figures. Could one of them be Layla?
I’ve been trying to moderate my hopefulness. I don’t want my heart to be crushed if I arrive and learn that she…succumbed to her illness – and yet, I know that I will be nearly incapacitated if that is the news I discover.
I’m also aware that if she somehow miraculously survived, that does not mean she will want to see me. It’s been two years. While we both enjoyed our time together – I think – she may have moved on with ease, leaving me behind across the water.
And taking my heart with her.
Around me, the crew shouts instructions, but my eyes are already tracking the docks. In an ideal world, she’ll be right there, and she’ll see me and come running into my arms. She’ll tell me how they forced her to go and how she missed me, how she overcame her illness and has been asking after me.
But this is no ideal world. This is Protheka. Which means I’ll probably never find her on this planet of nightmares.
I have wondered how she will be if she has survived this long. Will I even recognize her? Will the illness have bowed her body and made her thin and weak? The Layla I knew was so full of life and healthy; it’s no wonder I didn’t realize she was sick.
They must have caught it early. And that thought alone gives me too much hope for my poor, battered heart to bear.