Page 49 of Shield of Fire

“Need I remind you of my earlier comment about preferring comfort? It applies to more than just clothes.”

And also depended on the man I was with. I seriously liked Eljin, but when it came down to it, I wouldn’t risk arrest for lewd behavior in a public place with him.

Cynwrig, on the other hand...

As if merely thinking about the man conjured his presence, my phone rang. I hit the answer button and held it to my ear in an effort to prevent Eljin hearing both sides of the conversation.

“Hey,” I said. “How did the council meeting go?”

“It was a long and extreme waste of time. Would you like to go out to dinner tonight?”

“Can’t. I’m out with the competition.”

A comment that instantly had the attention of the man sitting beside me. I glanced at him, and he raised an eyebrow, amusement lurking. He was well aware that I was seeing someone else—both of them were, in fact—because the last thing I’d wanted was to get involved in any sort of relationship, casual or not, based on a lie.

There was a long pause. “You never mentioned that the other night.”

“It was a last-minute thing, and a bit of business mixed with pleasure. I’ll tell you about it when I get back home.”

“Where are you now?”

“Swansea.”

“Following up on the token, I take it?”

“That and a lead on the shield.”

“Call me when you get back, then.”

“I will, but it’ll be late tomorrow.”

“I’ll be here and waiting.”

All sorts of unwise comments pressed against my tongue, aching to be unleashed, but I held them back and said a simple goodbye.

Fun time, not a long time, I reminded myself fiercely.

I hung up and put the phone away.

“From the little I could gather, the competition was not pleased.”

“He’s a dark elf. They like a harem, but they don’t like members of said harem having one of their own.”

“A little competition never hurt anyone,” he said sagely. “It makes a man up his game.”

“Ah, this little seduction plan of yours now makes more sense. You do realize, however, that you could be setting up long-term expectations that are going to be hard to keep.”

“Let’s get to long-term first and worry about it then.” He nodded to the road up ahead. “Our quarry departs.”

I glanced up the road and watched the sleek red Sportback Audi pull out and head toward Swansea. Eljin waited a beat then started the SUV and slipped out behind a small white Ford.

As we followed Loudon through Swansea’s outskirts, I changed into more comfortable boots. I loved high heels, but they weren’t easy to run in and did tend to be a little dangerous to the health of my ankles on uneven or cobblestoned footpaths.

Loudon eventually turned into a small side street and parked down the far end. He glanced our way briefly but didn’t seem to notice us; he simply locked his car and hurried across the road.

“Stop and let me out,” I said, once we were safely past him. “Otherwise, we might lose him.”

Eljin immediately stopped. I grabbed my puffer jacket and purse, and then clambered out. The car behind us blasted his horn and gave me a hurry up motion when I glanced at him. I slammed the door shut, and Eljin took off, turning left at the corner.

---