Page 8 of Triplets for the Dark Elf

Charmaine was so sweet and kind and had a quick wit about her as well. She and Imris are a good fit together. Humans bring something to the table that dark elves don’t have. I think having humans around is a good thing. I vehemently disagree with the dark elves who look down on them because of their supposed ‘inferiority’. There’s nothing inferior about humans at all.

“So, did you finish the book I recommended?” I ask. She’s been reading a few of my recommendations lately, on her request, so she can give more insight to our customers.

“Yes!” Her eyes light up. “I just finished it earlier while you were gone!”

“Oh, did you like it?” I ask.

“By the Keeper!” she exclaims. “I never expected Krirveda to be the villain all along!”

“Right?” I say, leaning closer to the counter. “It shocked me too. I nearly dropped the book when I found out!”

“And I can’t believe that despite everything, Ripiera still wanted him!”

“I thought Ripiera was quite clever to piece it all together,” I tell her. “Krirveda definitely didn’t deserve her.”

“She was my favorite,” Annalise admits. “I like that she saw past the hurt and the cruel actions to the man inside. But I am glad that in the end, he sacrificed himself so she could be with Cedru.”

“I don’t think I would have picked Cedru,” I shake my head. “He was weak.”

“He overcame a lot to be with Anola,” she argues back. “Anola forgave him for betraying her, twice.”

“He shouldn’t have betrayed her in the first place,” I counter. “I would have just been honest in the first place if it were me.”

“But he was protecting her,” she argues. “If he hadn’t protected her, Krirveda would have destroyed her family.”

“Still weak,” I grumble. “A real man would have dared Krirveda to go after her and destroyed him with his bare hands,” I say, as though I’m some kind of miou and not a mere k’sheng shopkeeper.

“That’s not fair,” Annalise says, crossing her arms. “He did what he had to. I think that’s a sign of strength. I see Cedru as strong and courageous for doing what he did.”

It’s nice talking about this with her. I love hearing her opinion and seeing the world through her eyes. There’s so much fire and passion in those stormy blues. Our conversations are always lively and interesting.

Why have I been holding back again? Why have I been pushing myself so hard to keep her at arm's length?

Maybe I’ve been too hasty in trying to distance myself from my attraction to her. Her eyes are on mine right now and the way she looks at me...it can’t all just be in my head. I know there’s something there between us.

As much as I want to believe that this might be a mistake, I know that I’m just letting my old fears hold me back. Imris and Charmaine managed to make it work. They found a way to be together, despite all the odds being stacked against them. Despite my overbearing meddling, even.

I step behind the counter, drawing closer to her, having made a decision. “So...” I say, my eyes holding her gaze. “What about me? What do you see when you look at me?”

She licks her lips, swallowing as I stand right next to her. “I see...” she says, voice gone soft. “I see a kind, patient man who would do anything for others. Even if he tries to hide that fact,” she adds. “And...”

“And?” I ask, stepping right into her space. She has to lean her head back to see me.

“And...” Her voice is barely above a whisper now. “And someone so...so devastatingly handsome that it’s been a struggle to keep impure thoughts out of my head. When all I want to do is kiss you,” she admits.

I grin, leaning in. Our mouths meet and it’s everything I thought it would be. It’s heat and fire, it’s soft sighs against plush lips...I can’t get enough. I drink her in, my arms going up to hold her by the arms, pinning her in place as my mouth devours hers.

“By the Hedonist,” she sighs into my mouth. I kiss her harder, working to take all thoughts out of that pretty little head.

5

ANNALISE

Ican’t believe Miothro is kissing me. The thought keeps circling around and around in my head as he moves his mouth against mine, gripping my arms with his strong hands, pressing close to me...by the Thirteen!

I kiss him back, hungry for this moment. It’s been so long and he’s been so chaste...part of me was certain that he had no interest at this point. All I wanted was for him to notice me. Ever since that first night we met, I knew there was something special about him, something different.

And the more time we spent together, the more trust developed between us. As I got to know him, I only found myself wanting him more and more. The tension between us was almost unbearable.

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