Page 139 of Rogue Elves of Ardani

He collapsed over her, breathing hard.

When it was over, she scarcely had the energy to speak, so she conveyed what she wanted directly into his mind. He obeyed, moving behind her and putting an arm around her to hold her to his chest.

This is good,she thought.

Yes,he replied.

I could do this every night.

She felt him go still. Neither of them had expected her to say that.

Yes,was his only response. Something in his mind gave her the impression it was not a denial, but not quite an agreement, either. She didn’t have the courage to pry further and investigate his hesitance.

Frowning slightly, she shifted, moving closer against him. His arms tightened around her and he rested his chin on her shoulder.

“We could die tomorrow,” she said.

“We won’t.”

“How do you know?”

“I have faith.”

She snorted. “Faith is for fools.”

“Only when paired with inaction. The Goddess favors the ambitious and the true of heart.”

Crow shook her head. “I wish I had that kind of certainty.”

“I have enough for both of us. But it’s not too late for you to back out. You need not put yourself at risk for my benefit.”

“I’m not worried about myself.” What an odd feeling that was. To truly worry for someone in a way that went beyond mere empathy. She feared for him. She feared losing him.

He rolled and sat up, hovering over her on his hands and knees, and looked at her straight on.

“Why?” he asked, his tone almost accusatory. “Why have you always cared so much about what happens to me? Even when we didn’t know each other, you worried for me.”

She frowned. His posture above her made her feel caged in, unable to escape his questions.

“Because nobody else is going to help people like us,” she said. “We’re both different. We’re both alone. No one gives a shit about people like us. No one has given a shit about me for my entire life. I know what it is to be alone and trapped. I know what it’s like not to have anyone looking out for you. And from the minute I met you, I knew you didn’t deserve that. You deserved to have someone on your side. You deserved the same help I deserved—the help I never got. I don’t want you to get stuck in that prison again, because I care about you, and because it wasn’t right, you being stuck in there while Alexei is free. You’ve got more integrity in your little finger than Alexei has in his entire body.”

She felt him resisting the urge to point out that he no longer had any little fingers.

There was a silence that was neither comfortable nor uncomfortable—strangely stiff and open, both of them laid bare. Crow rested her hands on Vaara’s arms.

“I’m not innocent, here,” she said. “I owe this to you. I was using you for my own ends, as well.”

“As was I.” He frowned. “As I still am now.”

“That’s why you don’t want me here?” she asked. “You’re afraid to use my magic to your advantage?”

“People have been using you for your magic for your whole life,” he said. “I don’t want to be one of those people.”

She put a hand to his face, rubbing a thumb across his cheek. “Except now I’m using it for something I want to be using it for.”

Vaara took a slow breath. Exhaled. He turned his head to kiss her palm. “I’m glad it was you who walked into the prison that day, Crow.”

She smiled. “So am I.”

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