Page 47 of Dark Elves of Ardani

“Perhaps she has no choice. Perhaps things are not as simple as they appear.”

He looked down, his eyes in shadow. He seemed frustrated.

“All right,” he said finally, and stunned relief washed over her. “I’ll get you out. Both of you. Don’t do anything before I say so.”

She nodded rapidly. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” he muttered.

Chapter 16

Nero had no plan except to move quickly.

Zara was right. He needed to get her and that damned Witch-Paladin out of there. From the moment they’d arrived, he’d regretted bringing them. He wondered if that made him a traitor. He certainly felt like one, though he wasn’t sure whether he’d betrayed Zara or the Varai more at this point.

He’d thrown himself at her earlier because it had been necessary. Not that it had been difficult. He didn’t have to feign his attraction to her.

But he had not expected her to kiss him back when he went after her. He didn’t know why she’d done it, but his entire body was still buzzing from it.

When they stepped back into the circle of tents near the fire, one of the Varai was harassing the Paladin again, prodding her stomach with the tip of a knife as he dragged his tongue up her cheek.

Nero looked away, his jaw clenching.

As a child, perhaps shortly after learning what his father had done to his mother and how he had come to be, he had told his mother that the world would be a better place without night elves in it.

“What about you, darling?” she had asked with an amused smile. “It wouldn’t be a better place without you in it.” And he had felt simultaneously comforted by her unconditional love, and horrified to realize that she considered him to be one of them.

Zara gave him a questioning glance as he came to a stop in the middle of the camp. He pointed to the ground near the fire, where it would be warm and she would be able to see. Still playing the part of a cowed captive—and perhaps not all of it was acting, after all—she sat down, her legs folding gracefully under her. She looked warily around at the others, a dangerous look in her eyes. And then she looked up at him again, looking almost hopeful.

He felt his brow crease as he looked at her. For some reason, she trusted him.

He glanced around the camp to be sure no eyes were upon him, then unhooked one of the daggers from his belt. He slid it onto the ground beside her boot, and she smoothly moved her cloak to hide it.

He went to retrieve Changa from the alcove where he’d left her. She gave a snort of protest when he guided her out of her dry nook and into the rain.

“You’re going to be even more annoyed with me in a few minutes when I make you run,” he murmured, stroking her nose. She nuzzled his hand, her nostrils flaring as she sniffed for food. “I’m sorry in advance.”

By the time he returned, some of the elves had left to keep watch on the Paladins, who were camping far on the other side of the valley. To his relief, none of them were bothering Zara. She straightened when she saw him, looking relieved. Maybe she’d thought he would change his mind and leave without her.

He couldn’t remember the last time a stranger had been happy to see him. Let alone a human. It was an odd sight.

Nero went to the Paladin, drawing a dagger. Her new guard was leaning against the tree, his sword in his hand at his side. He looked bored. He looked up when Nero approached, eyeing him with suspicion.

“I want to speak with her alone,”Nero said.

The guard frowned.“For what?”

“I have a score to settle with her.”

The comment drew the intended response. The guard looked like he sympathized.“Don’t damage her too badly,”he said, and walked over to the fire.

Nero looked the Paladin over. The sight of her still made him furious. He was tempted to leave her here.

She’d been nicked with a blade a few times, but otherwise seemed uninjured. She still wore her blindfold, so he couldn’t see her eyes, but he was certain she was still very aware of her surroundings. The bottom half of her face looked tense. He could see her grinding her teeth.

For the benefit of anyone watching, he held the flat of the dagger against her stomach and leaned close to her. “In a few moments, I’m going to cut you loose,” he murmured. “You and Zara and I are going to run. And I’m going to hope that you don’t shoot me in the back the second I turn around.”

She went very still. She was listening.

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