Page 5 of A Court Bright and Broken

At the end of the lane we took a right. Out of sight of the thieves now—at least ofthatparticular crew—I stopped walking and released my hold on the woman.

She stumbled back and turned to face me with incredulous eyes. They were the most appealing shade of brown I’d ever seen in my life, rich and warm like the luxurious furs we wore in winter.

“How do I know you’re telling the truth?” she asked. “Maybe it wasyouwho was following me. Maybeyou'rethe hungry fox.”

Chapter 2

Better Me Than Her

Stellon

Getting my first good chance to evaluate her face straight on, Iwasstarting to experience a little hunger.

Strange.I’d never felt an attraction toward human women.

Then I looked down at myself and saw whatshesaw—filthy clothing, dirty skin, boots that hadn’t been blacked in years. To her, I must have appeared at least as unsavory as the band of ruffians, maybe more so.

No wonder she was suspicious of me.

“I told you, I mean you no harm. And you’re not harmed, are you?” My tone was pure innocence.

“Well no… I suppose not,” she said. “And I suppose I have no reason to doubt your word. So I guess I should thank you.”

Her obvious reluctance to do so made me smile.

“You’re most welcome, my lady.”

Tucking one hand behind my back, I gave her a courtly bow. “You may repay the favor by agreeing to leave the market and go home to your village immediately.”

Her head jerked back, causing her hood to fall off. A spill of shiny, dark curls covered her shoulders and collarbones.

“Go home? No,” she said, clearly distressed at the suggestion.

She backed away from me as if she suspected I meant to throw her over my shoulder and force her to comply.

Which, I had to admit, was a tempting thought. There was a growing sense of warmth in my abdomen as I pictured it. Yes, I definitely wanted to carry her off somewhere.

Very strange indeed.She wasn’t my usual type—tall, strong… Elven. This human was no more than a wisp, quite on the underfed side actually.

“I can’t go home,” she insisted. “Not yet. I have business to conduct.”

“What kind of business?” I was actually curious by this point.

What could possibly make her want to stay here after nearly being robbed? I knew it wasn’t an unquenchable desire for my continued company.

Her eyes shifted away, and her expression shuttered.

“It’s none of your concern.”

“Believe me, I have no interest in whatever bits and bobs you’ve brought to trade for hair ribbons,” I assured her. “Your ‘treasure’ is safe with me.”

She huffed an irritated breath. “I'm not here forhair ribbons.”

Her imperious tone rivaled even my father's, which was saying something. I gave her another once over.

Maybe she was some sort of human noblewoman? But no, her clothing looked even more threadbare up close.

She was clean and smelled quite nice, but this was not a person of means. Unless, like me, she had purposely donned peasant clothing for her trip to the market?

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