Page 46 of Triplets for the Dark Elf

She nods, and I can see she is debating something. So, I wait, caressing her and enjoying this moment with her.

Maybe she’s about to tell me she can’t do this, that she wants to get away from elves. Or maybe I was too violent tonight. I’m not sure. But I will take what little bit I am getting.

What I am not prepared for is for her to give in, sinking into me as she places a hand against my chest. “Almu is the reason I left.”

I blink slowly, the words not processing. “Almu?”

“When you were at Imris’s wedding, he came to the shop looking for you. Apparently, he saw me working there and he trashed the place. He’d come to fight you.”

“And you were scared.”

She bites her bottom lip, which had started to tremble. Her eyes water as she shakes her head. “No, I didn’t want to bring trouble on you.”

That hits me hard. Maybe most elves would be insulted, but I’ve never had anyone try to protect me before. I am a protector, someone willing to bear the weight for others.

But Annalise… She didn’t want another thing pressing down on me. She was the only one that saw how hard I tried, and when there was danger at my door, she led it away.

“That’s why you left,” I rasp.

She nods. “I didn’t want him to come after you anymore. I thought if I was gone, he’d leave you alone.” She licks her lips. “I wanted to protect you.”

I gather her up in my arms, crushing her to me and burying my face in the crook of her neck. She wraps her arms around my shoulders, clinging to me tightly. “You wanted to protect me,” I whisper on a broken sob.

“I never wanted to leave you,” she hiccups, tears wetting my skin. “Miothro, I’ve always loved you. I just wanted to keep you safe, the same way you did for me.”

That only makes me break farther. How can she be this amazing? My girl, the only person that sees me for me. She’s cracked through all of my stone, standing by my side and showing me I don’t have to do anything alone anymore.

I pull back, holding her face in my palms. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”

A grin finds her. “Because I knew you would nearly kill yourself to keep me safe. I knew you’d pick me, and I couldn’t let that happen.” More tears streak down her cheeks. “So I picked you first,mon lutin.” Warmth pulses through me as I blink through my own tears. “I just wish I had known about the kids before I left.”

“You have to know that I would do anything –anything– for you and the kids, Annalise. I don’t care what kind of danger you bring into my life. You are worth it.” I kiss her forehead. “You know I never gave up on you, right? I searched endlessly for you.”

“So that’s why you were stalking around lowtowns like a creeper.” She shoves me playfully.

I catch her wrist and pin it against my bare chest. Her face is so close to mine, and suddenly the air turns thick. “I would do anything for you.”

“I know.”

And I know she already said it, but I need to hear it. Really hear it.

“I love you, my little lumiola.”

She leans into me. “And I love you,mon lutin.”

This time, she kisses me, and when she parts her lips, my tongue sweeps in to claim her. I groan as I get to fully taste her, and her hands clutch at me, pulling me against her tighter.

Never had I imagined that this is why she left. I still hate that I missed all this time with her and the kids, but to know that she always loved me, always wanted me, heals a part of me I didn’t realize was so broken.

She picked me. She picked protecting me over her happiness, her life, over everything. And maybe it makes me selfish, but I fall in love with her even harder – if that’s possible – knowing that.

25

ANNALISE

Idon’t think I ever let myself realize how much I missed Miothro. But having him in my bed, my body pressed against his, after he whispered that he loves me… Well, I can’t ignore it any longer.

And I don’t want to.