Page 16 of Surrendered to Mate

She crouches in front of me, her face inches from mine. Her scent washes over me – earth and sweat and something uniquely her. My fangs ache, desperate to extend.

"Fun?" she hisses. "You think this is a game?"

I lean forward, my voice low. "Sweetheart, if this were a game, I'd be winning."

Her eyes flash, and for a moment, I think she might slap me. Instead, she stands abruptly and stalks away.

"Do you have something to do with the dark elves?" she asks, her back to me.

"Don't we all?" It just makes her scoff, but I don't need to push her too far away.

I decide to change tactics. She's not just going to spill all the answers I need, especially when I haven't, but maybe I can get her to tell me more about the city without her realizing it.

"You're quite the skilled hunter," I say, nodding towards her bow propped against the cave wall. "How long have you been living out here?"

Faye eyes me suspiciously. "Why do you care?"

I shrug, wincing as the movement pulls at my bonds. "Just making conversation. Unless you prefer we sit in silence and ask the same questions repetitively for another two days."

She hesitates, then sits down across from me. "Long enough," she says vaguely.

"Must be lonely," I prod.

"I prefer it to the alternative," she snaps, her eyes flashing.

Interesting. "And what's the alternative? Liiandor?" I school my features so I look more empathetic. "I've heard it's not exactly welcoming to humans."

Faye snorts. "That's an understatement. It's a shithole."

"Sounds like you have some personal experience," I say, watching her carefully.

She looks away, her fingers tracing patterns in the dirt. "Maybe I do."

I feel a twinge of... something. Curiosity? Concern? It's unfamiliar, pushing through my usual apathy. "What happened?"

Faye's eyes meet mine, filled with a mixture of pain and defiance. "Why should I tell you anything?"

"Because I'm an excellent listener," I quip. Then look down at my bindings. "And clearly not going anywhere."

She rolls her eyes, but I catch the hint of a smile. "You're impossible."

"So I've been told. Come on, humor me. What's Liiandor like these days? Still run by that bastard King?"

Faye huffs as she leans back. "Aren't all dark elves bastards?"

"You tell me." My gaze sweeps over her, assessing. There's scars flecking her arms that I had assumed came from being in the forest. Maybe I was wrong.

She laughs bitterly. "Bastard is putting it mildly. The King's a monster. They're all monsters. The things the do to humans..." She trails off, her eyes distant.

I lean forward, genuinely intrigued. "What kind of things?"

"You should know, shouldn't you? It's the same across Protheka, I'd imagine. Not that I've ever left Liiandor." Faye shakes her head. "It doesn't matter. I got out. That's all that matters."

"How?" I ask, unable to keep the curiosity from my voice.

She studies me for a long moment. "Why are you so interested?"

I give her my most charming smile. "Maybe I'm writing a travel guide. 'Dark Elf Cities to Avoid: A Comprehensive List.'"

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