Beneath the Armor: An Elven Desire

Chapter 19

Drake couldn't sleep that night. He sat by the fire, staring into the flames, the emberstone feeling deceptively light yet unbearably heavy in his hands. After checking on Fay following his initial instructions and a recap with his men, he had felt a small surge of warmth when he saw her sprawled out on her cot, finally finding some peace. She had done well—fighting through her fatigue, standing her ground against the dragon while the others had fled. Not that he could blame them; fear was a powerful instinct. He would have run too if he hadn’t felt the weight of responsibility as their commander pressing down on him. He couldn’t shake the growing feelings he had for Fay, a tumultuous mix of confusion and desire that left him captivated. The way she had rushed to save him from the dragon had stirred something deep within him, a spark that had ignited an intense longing he couldn’t quite understand. What was it that drew him to her so powerfully?

She lingered in the back of his mind, a constant presence he couldn’t ignore. Fay was undeniably beautiful, embodying the timeless elegance that elves were known for. It was a beauty that seemed etched into her very being, a quality that had often made humans resentful. He remembered the disdainful looks exchanged amongst soldiers when elves were mentioned, but Fay was different from any elf he had encountered before.

His mind drifted back to past encounters with elves—ones that had left him with a bitter taste in his mouth. There was the time during a skirmish in the forest when an elven archer had betrayed their alliance, shooting a comrade in the back while they were ambushed. The memory of that betrayal stung, the way that elf had smirked as he vanished into the trees. Then there were the negotiations with another elven clan that had gone awry, their leaders arrogant and dismissive, treating King Riland like a lesser being. Leading to a blood bath. Those experiences had left him wary, and yet here was Fay, standing in stark contrast to those memories.

As he sat by the fire, he felt an undeniable arousal growing within him, fueled by his thoughts of her. Images from their recent journey flashed through his mind—especially the way her shirt clung to her form during the climb, damp from sweat, accentuating her curves. Her breasts. He couldn’t help but recall the sway of her hips as she navigated the rocky terrain, each movement graceful yet tantalizing.

Drake shifted uncomfortably on the log he sat on, trying to make room for the growing erection that was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. He chastised himself for his thoughts, desperately searching for a rational explanation for this all-consuming desire. Maybe it was simply the isolation; she was the only female in miles, a beacon of femininity in an otherwise male-dominated group. He could see the way the other men looked at her, their gazes lingering a moment too long, filled with a mixture of disgust and lust. It was why he kept her close, always ensuring she was safe within his tent, away from the prying eyes of the others.

But beneath that protective instinct lay another, more possessive urge that gnawed at him. That annoying voice in his head taunted him: *Or you keep her close so the others know she’s yours.* The thought sent a shiver down his spine, a mix of pride and frustration. He didn’t want to feel this way, didn’t want to acknowledge the possessiveness that accompanied his desire, yet there it was, undeniable and insistent.

Drake took a deep breath, trying to dispel the thoughts swirling in his mind. He needed to focus on the mission, on the dangers that lay ahead, rather than get lost in fantasies about Fay.

Ripping his mind fron Fay, his thoughts took on a darker turn. The deaths of Kyle and Flin weighed heavily on his conscience. He knew it wasn’t his fault; they had all understood the risks of their mission. Still, the burden of leadership sat heavily on him. The thought of facing their families when they returned to the kingdom gnawed at him, a bitter reminder of the cost of their choices.

Drax settled next to him, watching as his friend drowned in his thoughts. “It’s not your fault, Drake,” he said softly, breaking the silence. “You gave everyone the chance to stay here. We all knew the risks of going, what we could face.”

Drake glanced over at Drax, weariness etched into his features. “I know,” he replied, his voice low and filled with unspoken pain. “Doesn’t make it any easier. Especially once we reach the kingdom and I have to see the families.” He turned his gaze back to the fire, the flames flickering as if echoing his inner turmoil.

Sensing Drax’s eyes on the emberstone, he flicked it toward him, a mix of curiosity and distraction. “What does Riland need this for? Does it even work?” Drax inquired, pulling at the mud to reveal the stone underneath.

“It works,” Drake muttered, memories flooding back to the cave.

Drax’s eyes flickered with interest. “Fay used it. She saved you from being burnt to a crisp," Drake mummered. The memory vivid in his mind. Drax's eyes widened.

"The flames were intense, and I thought it was over for me. But she held the emberstone, and it created a barrier. I don’t fully understand how, but it worked. But why would we need this? The rebellion couldn’t possibly have tamed a dragon.”

Drax nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. “I agree with you there. It raises more questions than it answers. Go get some rest. The quicker we leave, the quicker we can get back home. The quicker we can check on the King. Riland's been different lately.” He handed the emberstone back to Drake, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder before making his way to his tent.

Drake sighed, contemplating Drax’s words. He knew he should take his friend’s advice and rest, but the emberstone felt like a puzzle he couldn’t solve. He followed Drax's suggestion and headed back to his tent, but instead of sleeping, he sat on his cot, staring at the emberstone in his hands.

What could this thing possibly be for? His mind raced with questions as he turned the stone over, examining its surface. He looked over at Fay’s form one more time, peaceful and unaware of the turmoil surrounding them, before finally closing his eyes. The weight of fatigue was pulling him under, but the emberstone lingered in his thoughts like a distant flame, a reminder of the challenges ahead.

With a deep breath, he resigned himself to sleep, hoping that when morning came, clarity would follow. They had a long journey ahead, and he needed to be ready for whatever awaited them in the kingdom—and beyond.