Page 16 of Maid For The Dark Elf

"Wait, wait." He snaps his fingers at his companions. "I know this little mouse. She's Ardyn's pet human—the one he keeps close for... special services."

My blood turns to ice water. The goblet trembles in my grip as their laughter erupts like barking worgs closing in for the kill.

"That's right!" The second elf claps his hands together with mock delight. "The famous whore of House Ardyn. Tell me, sweetling, how does it feel now that your master's abandoned you?"

"He hasn't abandoned⁠—"

"Oh, but he has." The third one leans closer, his breath reeking of wine and dreamleaf. "Left you behind like yesterday's chamber pot. Didn't even take his favorite toy on his important Crown business."

They circle me now, predators sensing weakness. My back presses harder against the cold stone wall.

"Please, I need to return to Lady Ardyn⁠—"

"Lady Ardyn?" The tall one throws back his head and howls with laughter. "No wonder her husband needed a warm human cunt to keep him satisfied."

"You know how they climb the ranks," the second one adds, his voice dripping with contempt. "The only way these human sluts advance is by mounting their pussies on a rich elf's cock."

Rage flares in my chest, burning away the fear. I straighten my spine and lift my chin.

"Back away from me. Now."

Their laughter intensifies, echoing off the corridor walls like the baying of hunting hounds.

"Look at this!" The third one gestures wildly. "The pet has claws! Tell us, little whore—without Lord Ardyn's protection, who's going to keep you warm at night? Maybe we should⁠—"

"Gentlemen." The voice cuts through their taunts like a hot blade through silk, cold and sharp and absolutely lethal. "I believe you've lost your way."

Caelric emerges from the shadows at the corridor's end, his tall frame filling the space with commanding presence. His indigo eyes burn with controlled fury as he surveys the scene, taking in my pressed back against the wall, their predatory positioning, the fear I can't quite hide.

The three nobles straighten immediately, their drunken bravado evaporating like morning mist.

"Lord Vaerith," the tall one stammers. "We were just⁠—"

"Leaving." Caelric's tone brooks no argument. Each word falls like a stone into still water. "Immediately."

"Of course, my lord. We meant no⁠—"

"Now."

They scatter like leaves before a storm wind, stumbling over each other in their haste to escape. Their footsteps echo down the corridor until silence reclaims the space.

Caelric approaches slowly, his movements careful and non-threatening. The fury in his eyes softens to concern as he studies my face.

"Are you hurt?"

I shake my head, not trusting my voice yet. The goblet still trembles in my hands.

"Come." He gestures toward the main corridor. "I'll escort you back to the party."

We walk in silence for several moments, the distant sounds of the reception growing fainter behind us. Finally, I find my voice.

"Thank you." The words come out smaller than intended. "They recognized me as... as Lord Ardyn's favored attendant."

"I heard what they called you." His jaw tightens. "Their words were…"

"Not uncommon." I glance at him sideways. "Everyone assumes the same thing about human women in noble houses. We're either whores or we're invisible."

We reach a branching corridor, and he guides us left toward the servants' quarters.