Page 7 of Triplets for the Dark Elf
4
MIOTHRO
As I head back to the shop, I can’t get the expression on Imris’ face out of my mind. The way he looked at Charmaine. It reminds me of the way I look at…
Well, my brother was clearly so very happy, so in love. I know it was wrong of me to do what I did but truly, I was really just trying to protect him. Even though I’m sure he’ll forgive me eventually, I can’t stop feeling guilty for all the harm I inevitably caused by trying to keep them apart.
The twins were the ones most harmed by my actions. They would have grown up without a father—without Imris in their lives if not for the fact that he and Charmaine kept fighting to be together.
I should never have interfered. But I know exactly how terribly everything can all go wrong. I’ve seen the destruction that kind of love can cause firsthand. Gods. I just...I just wish…
I don’t know what I wish. I don’t know. All I know is that it was bittersweet to watch Imris with the woman he loves. I want to be purely happy for him but when I think about what I could have had...when I think about what I went through...a selfish part of me is sad.
But the moment I walk through the door of my shop, my heart swells. Annalise is standing there, tending to a customer.
Gods. I remember the first moment I saw her. She looked so innocent, so shy. I didn’t know just how fierce she was under that facade. All I knew in that moment was that I couldn’t let her get hurt.
Something about her drew me in. Her striking blue eyes captivated me. I don’t know what it was about her but I wasn’t about to let that chivdouyu take her. That dark gleam in his eyes spelled danger and I acted without thinking.
“I’ll give you double!” I called, startling myself when I spoke out. Her eyes found mine and I smiled at her, trying to be reassuring, she smiled back and I was lost.
It was so stupid of me. I ended up paying two riel for her, in the end. And then a whole ipia to buy out her contract. But I was foolish and desperate to save her and acted in a way I would have scolded Imris for acting.
And now I’m standing in front of her once more, fighting to keep my feelings for her in check. It was so obvious once I gave it more than three seconds of thought. I was hard gone for this sweet, kind, sharp-tongued woman.
When she looks up and catches my eye, she smiles and I feel my heartbeat slow in my chest. It’s as though everything around me slows to a crawl. The world narrows down to just her and I, staring at each other for a long moment.
“How’s your family?” she asks, handing the customer their change and their purchases, neatly wrapped up.
“Oh. Uh. Good. Great,” I tell her. “It’s late. Why aren’t we closed yet?”
“I was just finishing up,” she says. “But perhaps you’re right. I’m terribly overworked here. I never get a break. I’m forced to stay here until all hours!”
“You...you...” I sputter but then I realize she’s joking and laugh. “I shall make you work even harder then!” I playfully threaten. “If you would be as impertinent as to accuse me of overwork!”
“No, please,mon lutin!” she pleads, using her nickname for me. I stiffen for the briefest moment as it stirs longing in my heart.
“Ah, but you’ve accused me of being a cruel master,” I shoot back, sidestepping the intimate nickname. “Therefore I must punish you!”
Annalise blushes and ducks her head. “I’m sorry, Master!” she teases back. “I shouldn’t have accused you of being uncaring. I know that you care for me as much as any elf can care for a mere human! Perhaps more, because I am your hardest worker?”
I bite my tongue, trying not to give myself away. She’s teased me like this before but I never know how to respond. Is she truly interested or merely continuing our playful banter?
Deciding to sidestep it for now, I lean against the counter. “How was the shop?” I ask, changing the subject.
“Oh, good. We got a new shipment in this afternoon that wasn’t supposed to come until tomorrow. Gravo brought it in, and Famabra did the inventory. I managed to get half of it put out but the other half is still in the back,” she tells me. “It’s a lot of fancy quills and some parchment.”
“Ah, and does it pass the sniff test?” I tease. Annalise blushes red and quickly looks down at her fingers.
“It was fine,” she mumbles. I grin and reach out, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“Good. I’m glad we have you on our team, ensuring the smell quality of all our new parchment.”
Annalise blushes harder but she crosses her arms. “You’re lucky to have me,” she says, narrowing her eyes. “You have no idea how bad things would be around here without me ensuring the quality of your supply.”
“Ah, alas. You’ve got me there,” I agree. “Whatever would I do without you?”
“Probably suffer,” she says, so deadpan that I throw my head back and laugh. She’s not far off the mark there. I think having her in my life has really changed things for the better for me. Even without the thick tension between us, she’s brought life and joy to my shop. The kind of life I missed having without Charmaine around anymore.