Page 17 of Surrendered to Mate

Faye snorts. "You're ridiculous."

"And you're avoiding the question," I counter.

She sighs, running a hand through her hair. "Fine. You want to know about Liiandor? It's a city built on cruelty and human suffering. The dark elves there... I've heard other humans — other slaves — say that it's the worst city to be in. They take pleasure in torturing humans. It's like a game to them."

I feel a flicker of anger, surprising myself. "And you were caught up in their games?"

Faye's eyes harden. "I was a slave. Property. Until I wasn't." She huffs. "But isn't that the life of every human on this godsforsaken planet?"

I give her a shrug and a smirk. "I'd have to be human to know, wouldn't I?"

Her eyes flick to my wings and then across my muscular chest. "No…" She shifts slightly, and I wonder what's going through her head. "You could be a torturer yourself."

I chuckle, shaking my head. "Sweetheart, if I wanted to hurt you, I'd have done it already. These ropes aren't exactly unbreakable."

Faye's eyes narrow, but I catch a flicker of uncertainty. Good. Let her question what she thinks she knows about me.

"Tell me something else," I suggest, keeping my tone casual. "What did you like most about Liiandor? There had to be something, right?"

She hesitates, then sighs. "The architecture, I suppose. The dark elves are cruel, but they build beautiful things. There's this tower in the center of the city that seems to touch the sky. At sunset, it glows like it's on fire."

I nod, filing away the information. "Sounds impressive. Why didn't you escape to another city? Surely there are safer places than this forest."

Faye's shoulders tense slightly. "Because I don't think I could find safe passage across the waters. Not that Kaynvu or Oshta has much better to offer me as a human, but getting out ofLiiandor…especially since it's the only city on this island… the forest felt safer."

As she speaks, I notice subtle changes in her body language. Her posture relaxes slightly, and she leans forward, unconsciously closing the distance between us. Her fingers stop fidgeting with the hem of her tunic, and her eyes meet mine more frequently.

"Besides," she continues, a hint of pride in her voice, "I can take care of myself out here. No one tells me what to do or treats me like property."

I raise an eyebrow. "Except for the occasional winged stranger you tie up in your cave?"

That earns me a reluctant smile. "You're different. I still haven't figured out what to do with you."

"I have a few suggestions," I quip, unable to resist.

Faye rolls her eyes, but I catch the faint blush that colors her cheeks. She's lowering her guard, bit by bit. It's progress, but I need more. Both for my mission and for my own inexplicable curiosity about this fierce, beautiful woman.

9

FAYE

Icrouch by the fire, turning the spit of meat slowly. It's just enough to warm it since I know he said that he doesn't eat like I do. He doesn't drink like I do. And it has me wondering if maybe, like the likar out there, it's cooking it that's the problem. The juices drip and sizzle, filling the cave with a savory aroma.

My stomach growls, reminding me it's been too long since I've eaten. But first, my "guest" needs tending to.

I glance over at the strange winged man. He's slumped against the wall, eyes closed, chest rising and falling steadily. Even after days of captivity, he maintains an air of dignity that both irks and intrigues me.

"Dinner time, pretty boy," I call out, cutting a chunk of barely-cooked meat.

Faye starts calling Cassius pretty boy

His eyes snap open, dark and intense. "Ah, my gracious host returns. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

I roll my eyes, approaching him with the meat. "Can it. You need to eat."

"I've told you, I don't require-"

"Save it," I interrupt, shoving the meat towards his face. "You haven't touched a thing in days. Eat."

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