Page 19 of Rogue Elves of Ardani

“Perhaps you can help me,” he said, to Crow’s horror. He removed his glove and held out his hand. She was surprised to find that his last two fingers were missing. More importantly, there was a deep, scabbed-over cut across his knuckles. “A minor training accident from last night. Damned if it doesn’t hurt every time I move my hand, though.”

Crow looked at the cut, conscious of Alexei staring down at her. “I wish I could help, but healing magic doesn’t work well on older injuries. There’s not much I can do.”

“Try.”

She swallowed tightly.

She took his large hand in both of hers and immediately pressed into his mind. A small push wouldn’t alert him to her intrusion, but any more than that could mean her end.

She felt his suspicion, and his mounting fury at the prospect of being deceived. Her heart raced. Surely the night elf hadn’t said anything to him?

But she also still felt his genuine attraction to her. A suggestion would work. The seed was already there.

“Alexei,” she said, ever so gently pressing a little extra lust into him. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to trick me into holding your hand.” She felt the suggestion take root and bloom. It didn’t take much.

She was taken aback when he suddenly leaned forward and kissed her hard on the mouth. She froze.

His arm slid around her waist, his hand resting against the small of her back. If he moved any lower, he’d feel the stolen key ring tucked into the back of her belt. She folded herself backward slightly in an attempt to urge his hand higher, and, having little other choice, kissed him back.

He pushed her backwards onto the bed. Alexei was quick to climb on top of her, weighing her down when she tried to hold herself up. His mouth was still on hers, and through that contact his mind leaked into hers.

The kiss wouldn’t have been so terrible if it hadn’t been for that. There was a subtle, ugly taint in his mind that made her feel ill. That in combination with the heaviness of him over her, and the hand that was now groping her breast, was rapidly bringing her close to panic.

“Alexei—” She tore her face away from him, and when he didn’t relent, she pushed hard at his chest, which barely moved him. “Alexei!”

He finally stopped and pulled back a fraction. A few locks of his usually neat blonde hair had fallen out of place. “What is it?” he said impatiently.

“You—you’ve misunderstood things. I’m not that kind of woman.”

He gave her a long look, then drew back a little more, scoffing. “You’re playing games with me.” He still straddled her and showed no sign of wanting to get off.

She raised her hand to his cheek to see what he was feeling. Anger. Hunger.

“I…” She tried to think of the correct language to use—whatever would injure his ego the least. “This is all just very fast. I couldn’t just... give myself to a man so soon. Even if I want to.” She gave him a tiny, innocent smile. “Gods know my father would have some things to say about it.” As it happened, her real father had nothing whatsoever to say to or about her. He’d been gone before she’d been old enough to make any memories of him. But at the moment, it seemed like the right thing to say.

Alexei gave her a disbelieving look as she stroked his face. There was an inkling of doubt layered with frustration. Suddenly, she understood a lot more about Alexei.

There was no part of him that saw himself as a person who did bad things. He was a goodly, lawful, honorable sort. He was someone who would never disrespect a woman with morals.

And he had gained a little more respect for her just now, since she’d proven herself to be above sleeping around with men she’d just met. He wanted her even more, now. Of course he did.

She leaned up and put her lips to his cheek. “Perhaps we could continue this another time?” she murmured on his skin. “Just, not so much so quickly.”

Finally, he leaned back. She was relieved to feel his anger ebbing. “Of course. My apologies.”

Then his eyes darted toward her ears.

“You’re part elf,” he said, frowning.

Her stomach clenched.

She brushed her hair over her ears as she slowly sat up. “You’re not one of those people who thinks sun elves should all be sent back to Ysura, are you?” Better for him to believe she was Ysuran than Ashara.

“Not especially,” he said, raising a skeptical brow. To her relief, there was nothing on his face that suggested he’d guessed the truth.

“I didn’t think so. It’s usually only low class folk who think that way.” She pursed her lips. “Other children used to tease me about it when I was young. I thought it was over after I got older, but ever since the war with Ysura began, it’s been so much worse. You wouldn’t believe how angry it makes some people.”

“Is that so.”

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