Beneath the Armour: An Elven Desire

Chapter 6

As Fay stepped out of the shower, she found a light blue dress, clean white undergarments, and sandal-like shoes laid out for her. She quickly dried off and dressed, gasping at her reflection in the mirror. The colours of the dress highlighted her golden brown hair and made her amber eyes shine. She felt beautiful, an unfamiliar yet exhilarating sensation. She braided her long hair, allowing the plait to sit over her shoulder, and puffed it near her ears to hide the pointed tips underneath the thick locks. For extra precaution, she grabbed the brown fabric she had previously used and wrapped it around her head and ears in a makeshift headband. The elves here were strange, and she didn’t want to draw any unnecessary attention.

Her self-admiration was abruptly interrupted by a sturdy knock at the door. She quickly approached and opened it, finding Drake standing there. He froze, sucking in a sharp breath at the sight of Fay. His somewhat sated desire from last night's pleasure was blown away. He felt his body warming, a slight jerk in his pants as desire began to course through him tenfold. Swallowing hard and balling his fists to gain control, he entered her room and closed the door.

"Quickly, before Alison comes," he barked gruffly, gesturing to the chairs. Fay quickly followed, startled by his tense figure.

"As you can see, there are elves within Weatherthorn. However, they are slaves to the Lords," Drake stated. Seeing the confused look on Fey's face, he swallowed hard again, his desire to take her growing every time he looked at her. "A Lord is like the ruler of the land. Got it?"

Fay nodded, understanding. "Yes, I understand."

"They treat the elves well. As you saw, they are dressed, well-fed, and looked after. However, they still serve the Lord. Don't trust them, don't open up to them. They may be your kind, but they are not like you. They will tell as they think this is the right way to live. Do you understand?" Drake urged, commanding even.

Fay nodded. "Yes, commander," she whispered softly.

Drake froze, watching her mouth move. Her soft, plump lips. He cursed Alison for providing her clothes, especially ones that looked this good on Fay. The dress hugged her chest, clearly enhancing her already well-defined figure. Her chest wasn't overly large but enough to fill his hands just perfectly. The skirt flowed to her knees, showing off her lightly tanned complexion and the sheer length of her legs. Drake suddenly stood and made his way to the door, his control about to break.

"Be smart, little elf. Don't trust anyone. Even Alison. And God, stay safe," his voice turned to a husky growl near the end, and he quickly left the room. He made a beeline towards the brothel. He needed release before he did something unthinkable to Fay.

Fay flushed at the tone of Drake's voice. Her body was reacting to his strange behavior at the table. His eyes had scorched her skin, and the huskiness in his voice had sent shivers down her spine. She struggled to pay attention to what he had been telling her. Sighing, she stood and shook away the desire coursing through her from that weird encounter. She had to stay focused and vigilant in this strange place.

Fay answered the door when she heard another knock to see Alison standing their grinning. Alison was a whirlwind of color and energy, her presence as vibrant as her personality. She stood at a petite height, with a slender frame. Her hair was a cascade of fiery red curls, untamed and wild, framing her face in a halo of brightness. Her eyes were a striking shade of emerald green, sparkling with mischief and warmth. Alison's skin was fair, with a scattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks.

She wore a dress that was a riot of colours and patterns that somehow came together perfectly. The fabric was light and flowing, accentuating her movements. Alison exuded a natural charm and friendliness that seemed to draw people in.

Fay answered the door when she heard another knock and found Alison standing there, grinning widely. Alison seemed to be practically bouncing on her toes with excitement.

"Hello, Fay! Are you ready to go? We're losing daylight fast, and I've got plenty to show you. Don't worry, Drake's already given me a rundown on keeping you safe due to your memory loss, and he gave me a bag of gold pieces to spend on you," she said, jiggling the bag merrily. The light clanging of coins inside was unmistakable.

Fay flushed from Alison's infectious energy. "Yes, I'm ready, and thank you for the clothes," Fay whispered, feeling slightly overwhelmed.

Alison gave a delighted squeal. "Let's go!" she cheered, heading down the stairs with a spring in her step.

Fay quickly followed Alison down the stairs and out into the cool air. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows and painting the world in hues of gold and amber. They had a couple of hours before sunset, and the atmosphere was filled with the gentle hum of evening activity.

As they walked through the bustling streets of Weatherthorn, Alison pointed out various shops and landmarks. "That's the best bakery in town," she said, gesturing to a quaint little shop with the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the open door. "And over there is the apothecary. If you ever need any herbs or potions, that's the place to go."

Fay nodded, taking it all in. Despite the strangeness of her situation, the town had a certain charm to it. The cobblestone streets were lined with shops and stalls, each one offering something unique. People moved about, some greeting Alison with friendly waves and smiles.

They eventually reached a tailor's shop, and Alison led Fay inside. The shop was filled with bolts of fabric in every color imaginable, and mannequins dressed in elaborate gowns and suits stood in the corners.

"Hello, Madam Elara!" Alison called out cheerfully.

A woman with silver hair and sharp eyes emerged from behind a curtain. She wore a simple yet elegant dress and had an air of authority about her. "Alison, dear! What brings you here today?" she asked, her gaze shifting to Fay. "And who is this lovely young lady?"

"This is Fay," Alison introduced. "Drake wants her to have some new clothes, and I'm here to help her pick them out."

Madam Elara's eyes softened as she looked at Fay. "Of course, dear. Let's see what we can find for you."

Fay spent the next hour trying on various outfits, each one more beautiful than the last. Alison's enthusiasm never waned, and she offered constant encouragement and compliments. By the time they left the shop, Fay had several new dresses and four sets of travel clothes, all carefully chosen to suit her.

As they stepped back into the cool evening air, Alison linked her arm through Fay's. "I hope you like everything we picked out. Now, how about we grab something to eat? I hear Lord Chester is holding a feast at the manor for the soliders and a selected few. Lets go get you changed into one of your new dresses."

Fay smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest from Alison's kindness. "That sounds wonderful," she replied.

Alison and Fay made it back to the inn, their steps echoing softly against the cobblestone path. They entered Fay's room, chosing the beautiful, form-fitting, formal black halter dress and matching black sandals to wear tonight.

"Sit down, Fay, let me curl your hair," Alison said gently, her voice soothing like a mother's lullaby. Fay nodded, her heart a mix of gratitude and apprehension. She seated herself in front of the vanity, its mirror reflecting a face she barely recognized.

As Alison began to section Fay's hair, her fingers deft and sure, Fay broke the silence. "How long have you lived here?" she asked quietly, her voice almost a whisper.

Alison's eyes sparkled with nostalgia. "My whole life," she replied with a grin. "I've very rarely traveled. Only a handful of times with Wyatt, but even then, it hasn't been far."

Fay's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Wyatt. "Wyatt... is that whom the Commander speaks of?" she inquired, her mind spinning as she tried to piece together the fragments of her scattered memories.

Alison's hearty laugh filled the room, a sound so genuine it chased away some of Fay's lingering fears. "Yes, Wyatt is an officer in Drake's command."

Fay tensed at Alison's next question, her fingers gripping the edge of the vanity. "Can we remove this band?" Alison asked, her tone innocent yet probing.

Fay's cheeks flushed, her mind racing for a plausible excuse. "No, I have a wound I'd like to keep covered," she whispered, her gut clenching at her poor attempt to lie on the spot.

Alison's eyes narrowed slightly, analyzing Fay for a short period before nodding. "That's fine. I can style your hair above it, hiding it underneath," she said, her voice kind and understanding.

Fay inwardly sighed in relief, grateful for the quick escape. She had to be careful, the truth too dangerous to reveal. "Do you remember anything since the accident?" Alison questioned as she began curling Fay's hair, her tone gentle but curious.

"No, not really..." Fay faded off, the lie leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. Lying was bad, it made her stomach hurt. But she knew she had to try, to protect herself and those she cared about.

Alison continued to curl Fay's hair in silence for a few moments, then spoke softly. "You know, Fay, it's okay to be scared. We've all been through things we'd rather forget."

Fay looked at Alison in the mirror, her eyes filling with unshed tears. "Thank you, Alison," she said, her voice trembling. "I'm just trying to figure everything out."

Alison placed a comforting hand on Fay's shoulder. "And you will," she assured her. "One step at a time. And remember, you don't have to do it alone."

Fay nodded. Fay's mind raced as Alison finished the last curl and stepped back to admire her handiwork. "What are the Lords like here?" Fay inquired, needing more information if she was going to be in their presence tonight. She already stood out like a sore thumb, even if she dressed like them.

"Um, they are good people, I guess you could say," Alison responded thoughtfully. "They keep the people here safe, provide a fair tax, and organize events to attend. Overall, it's probably better than most other civilizations."

Fay nodded, not entirely understanding what Alison meant by civilizations. The concept seemed foreign and distant to her, much like everything else in this world. "And the elves?" Fay inquired quietly, her curiosity piqued and her heart heavy with concern for her own kind.

Alison paused, her hands freezing in mid-air as she gasped softly. "Oh my, I'm so sorry. You've probably never seen elves before. I'm sorry, Fay. The elves here are nothing to be afraid of. They work for Lord Chester and Lady Katrina."

"Like slaves?" Fay pushed further, her voice tinged with a mix of fear and anger.

Alison hummed for a moment, considering her words carefully. "I guess you could say slaves, but not like normal slaves. These ones are well looked after and fed. Maybe more like servants than slaves," she explained, her tone attempting to soothe.

Fay's heart sank at the thought. It was a small comfort, but the idea of her kind being subjugated in any form was unsettling. Alison's face lit up with a big grin. "You'll see tonight. The Lord and Lady like doing grand displays, so don't be shocked when you see the elves barely clothed. Sometimes they even have erotic shows on."

Fay's eyes widened, and she gave a tight-lipped smile. She had no idea what "erotic" meant, let alone grand displays. Humans were strange and their customs even stranger.

"Finished," Alison grinned, indicating for Fay to look in the mirror.

Fay gasped at her reflection. Her hair was beautifully curled, styled in a half-up, half-down look that framed her face perfectly. "Wow. I look... I look..." Fay struggled to find the words.

"Beautiful," Alison finished for her with a satisfied smile. "Now get dressed, and I'll see you soon. I'm going to pop to my room and get ready. Bye!"

Fay nodded and carefully got dressed, scared she would wreck her hair. She didn't know how she felt all dressed up. She didn't think she looked beautiful, not even with this elegant dress. She looked human, and that wasn't sitting well with her anymore. She would have much rather worn her traveler clothes—shirt, slacks, and cloak. Clothes she was used to.

Sighing, she sat on the bed, feeling a wave of uncertainty wash over her. What was she doing? This world was too different, too crazy. She should have just stuck to the forest. Her eyes began to tear up. But then, she would never find her friend. Although Marrabel was probably dead already, she had to try. She had to at least see for herself. What if Marrabel was alive and suffering?

Fay clenched her fists, a renewed determination surging through her. She wiped away her tears. She couldn't give up now. Not when she was so close. She had to face this world, no matter how alien it seemed, and she had to find Marrabel. Taking a deep breath, she stood up and looked at herself in the mirror one last time, steeling herself for the night ahead.

With a final adjustment to her dress, Fay walked out of her room and down the hallway to the commander's door. She raised her hand and knocked. The door opened rather swiftly, and Drake's eyes widened upon seeing her. Fey gave a tight-lipped smile. "I'm ready, but I have to ask a couple of questions first," she said, ducking under his arm to enter his room.

Fay's cheeks bloomed with a blush as she took in Drake's appearance. He was dressed in black pants, a white shirt, a black jacket, and something black around his neck that kind of reminded her of a noose. Drake swallowed hard as Fay rushed past him, his desire coming forth again. She looked stunning in the black dress, which highlighted her feminine body. He steadied his emotions and arousal before turning around to find Fay sitting on the edge of the bed.

He shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose as his mind wandered to some dark, s****l thoughts. "First off, why do you have a noose around your neck? And what does erotic mean?" Fay asked, her curiosity clear in her puzzled expression.

Drake froze at her questions, looking at her as she sat there, fidgeting under his stare. "This is a tie. It's a formal look. And where did you hear the word erotic from?" he asked, already suspecting the answer.

"Alison just said to be prepared for the grand gesture, bare elves, and something erotic," Fay replied, her cheeks coloring.

Drake growled lowly, his irritation bubbling to the surface. He had forgotten what Chester and Katrina were like. They put on lavish shows of dancers and more s****l displays for their guests. Normally, it didn't bother him, but the thought of Fey seeing it made his blood boil. He also didn't know how Fay would react to seeing her kind in the mix of it all. But there was no way out of this without causing some suspicion. The worst part was he didn't know how he would react to Fay being there.

He sat down heavily on the chair. "Look, Fay, this is going to be hard. You will probably see a lot of things you never thought or have read about. You will see naked humans and elves. You will see them dancing or engaging in..." he trailed off, searching for the right words.

"Mating acts?" Fay whispered, her face bright red.

"Yes, mating acts and other acts of pleasure. If you get too uncomfortable, let me know. Alison or I will always be next to you. Okay?" Drake swallowed hard. Tonight wouldn't just test Fay; it was going to test him too. He already felt like a live wire from Fay's presence. He could feel his semi-hard arousal grazing against his pants, yearning to get to Fay.

"Are you ready? It's time for us to go, but first" Drake whispered as he reached out to the leather binds on her hands. Drake quickly removed them, dropping the binding on the ground.

Fay nodded once, a determined shine in her eyes, which Drake hoped the shock would not extinguish. She stood up, smoothing out her dress and taking a deep breath. "I'm ready," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her heart.

Drake offered his arm, and Fay took it hesitantly, appreciating the small gesture of support. They walked out of the room and down the hallway, their footsteps echoing in the silent corridor. The night ahead was uncertain and filled with challenges, but Fey felt a small spark of courage igniting within her. She had to face this world, no matter how different or strange it seemed, for the sake of her friend and her own survival.