Lightless Path

Chapter 10: Lion in Sheep's Clothing

Liam woke to hands pulling him out of bed, "Don't touch me." He slapped them away rising with a balled fist.

"My Lord, I was—"

"I don't care what you were doing," he growled, making sure the woman cowered from his gaze. "Don't touch me."

"I've drawn you a bath, Lord Elisen wishes you to clean up before breakfast," the servant said shakily. Liam lowered his fist pushing past her to the porcelain tub sitting behind a divider. "Fresh clothes are on the table, do you need anything else?"

"Where's the dining room?"

"Ground floor where you came in, take two lefts and it's at the end of the hallway," she curtsied before rushing out of the room.

Liam let out a long breath as he disrobed and sunk into the hot water. He allowed himself a few minutes to soak in the warmth. He didn't know how long it'd been since he'd been able to relax. He ran his fingers through the water resting his arms on the sides—maybe he should've been more honest with Mae. Stubborn little elf, but she was probably the only person he'd met that didn't resent his existence.

His father hated him for being half-elf, but he was his only son. He'd planned to sell his father's lands off and slip quietly from the country when he died. If he waited too long, he'd have to fight his half-sister's husband for legal rights to the land. His stepmother had been barren since his half-sister's birth, and he'd planned to convince her to help him sell the lands and split the profits—it'd be hard for her to remarry barren.

Mae's appearance tempted him to cut-and-run. Her people would pay him more than his father's lands were worth if he got her to the Shi'vanna—and his father owned the largest estate in Estreyllon.

He grabbed the soap and stared at it for a few moments, the taste of it filled his mouth, a small chuckle escaped his lips and he shook his head before washing himself. Mae's disappointed look flashed in his mind—maybe he'd been too hostile towards Lord Elisen. Nah, Elisen was totally being a dick coming on to her. She can't be that naive, she looked at me for help to get away from him in the stables. He'd just use her as a breeding mare.

Liam snorted, "Dick." He scrubbed his hair and behind his ears, "I found her first." He climbed out and dried off, finding the clothes set out for him were worthy of a man his station—if he'd been human. A small wave of guilt washed over him, "Dick."

He dressed and styled his hair, combing it over his head, he admired himself in the mirror. He fought the urge to punch it, were they trying to assimilate him? "You'll have to come down to Earth sometime Liam," he sighed. His travel bag had been transferred to one of higher quality—he kicked it over in with his new boot. Half tempted to leave it there, but he'd promised Mae they'd leave today. If they were going to his father's estates he was going to need every bit of respect he could get—that he'd found a richer wife.

She'll go along with my plan if she wants to save her friend. My father could barely afford a wood elf woman, he and the church would have to name me his legal inheritor with her at my side. King Cadeyrn would probably even adopt me into his family for the status alone.

His sword was gone, not that it was worth anything, he shouldered the bag. He exited the room and walked down the naturally lit hallway to Mae's door, "Mae?" He knocked, "You ready? We need to eat and head out." He strained his ears to discern anything but it was quiet, She's probably still asleep.

He found the door locked when he tried it, "Mae." He knocked louder.

"Oh good, I was hoping you'd be able to rouse her," the servant woman who'd woke him scurried up. "The door's been locked since I've been up here, I thought she started her day early."