Page 75 of Protected By the Elf Prince

At the man I loved.

At the man who had chosen me in return.

Then I smiled and took his hand.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Landon

My gut was a jumble of nerves and excitement on the short walk back to Dashiel’s bedroom. Earlier, I’d admittedly snooped a little after my shower, but I just wanted to take everything in, to discover everything there was to know about my mate.

But I didn’t find answers just in his room. It was like the whole cottage had wrapped around me in a warm embrace. Its timber walls and crackling fire chased away more than just the chill. It felt lived-in, loved, safe, and a place where the world couldn’t reach me.

Somehow, in the small amount of time I’d been inside this serene place, it had begun to feel like home. I already found myself wanting to stay longer, to wake under its roof for days while soaking in the quiet comfort it offered.

But first, I needed to complete our bond.

With my fated mate.

An elf who had saved my life. An elf whose quiet strength was matched only by his kindness. An elf who was powerful without cruelty—unless someone hurt his fated mate. He was patient and so effortlessly wonderful that I couldn’t imagine how I ever lived without him.

Dashiel was everything I never realized I was missing from my life, and somehow Fate had led us to each other. For the first time in years, the future didn’t feel uncertain.

Dashiel stopped just inside the doorway before turning toward me. The fierce warrior who had torn through a warehouse to rescue me was gone, and standing before me was simply... my Dashiel.

His warm, soft green eyes swirled with desire for me. “Landon⁠—”

“You’re beautiful,” I blurted, and then released a choked laugh as heat climbed up the back of my neck. “I mean, you’re handsome, gorgeous, and… you make me nervous,” I admitted.

His gaze widened. “I do?”

I nodded and smiled. “But in a good way.”

His shoulders relaxed slightly. “I feared perhaps tonight had been too much. The warehouse, being kidnapped, meeting my family. I worried it would push you away, and yet you are here with me.”

I stepped closer and placed my hands on his hips. “I couldn’t imagine another place to be, because if I did, you wouldn’t be there, and I want to be at your side. I want more talks, walks, dinners, and kisses. I want to sit on the couch with you, lie in bed with you, and…” My face burned and cock throbbed. “I’m looking forward to figuring out what we like in the bedroom.” My voice cracked. “But just remember that I, ah, I haven’t done any of this before.”

He leaned down and kissed my temple, my forehead. “I know.”

“I mean…” I gripped at his waist. “I might screw up in some way, and I want this to be good for you, but I worry that it won’t."

Dashiel cupped my cheeks, shaking his head. “No, my beloved. You already make my days shine with your time. I… I will admit I am nervous too because you mean everything to me, and I worry that I will not be enough. That you will be disgusted⁠—”

I pressed my fingers to his lips. “Never. I’d never be disgusted in any way. I want you bad, Dashiel. My cock is so damn hard from just the thought of being inside you. That’s if you want it like that…. I could try to bottom, but I think I need to work up to it.”

Dashiel smiled wide and let out a joyful laugh. “My precious mate. It would be brave of you to let me enter you, but you do not need to worry about that now. Maybe one day. But I would be honored to have you within me. It arouses me to a point where I may make a fool out of myself and release too soon.”

Grinning, I rose onto my toes and wrapped my arms around his neck, dragging his mouth down to mine. “Hell, Dashiel, the way you talk even makes me hard. Maybe we can fumble through this together and learn what we like.”

“I want nothing more.”

“But… you have to be honest and tell me if there’s something I do wrong or you don’t like.”

“I will as long as you do the same, my beloved.”

“Yeah, I will.” I kissed him again, trying to push everything I was feeling into it.

Dashiel groaned into my mouth, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly to him. Like he was worried I would go somewhere.