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“Hello?” Piper called softly.

Layala almost jumped at the interruption of the silence. It felt like intruding on someone’s private moments. But at least he wasn’t in the middle of something intimate or they’d have heardsomething.

Thane moved across the wooden planks like a phantom, cautiously stepped out onto the balcony and disappeared behind the curtains. Floorboards creaked in the other room. Someone was in here. Layala and Piper both nodded at each other and made their way to the arch. Layala stepped across the threshold first and cold metal slid across her neck. She froze, barely registering the sting, careful not to breathe too heavily or risk pushing the blade further.

“Lord Brunard.” Piper’s wide eyes stared to the left of Layala. “We mean no harm. We’re the new—”

“Female company in my chambers is by invitation only.”

Layala could barely make out auburn hair and light skin out of the corner of her eye, but she didn’t dare move. It would take minimal pressure for him to slit her throat. With hands raised, Piper stepped closer. Her eyes darted to the room behind, and she gave the slightest shake of her head.

“Lord.” She lifted her hand toward him and licked her lips. He didn’t flinch away or say a word the closer she drew, so Piper slid her fingers along the bare flesh of his arm. Layala dared turn her head in the slightest to watch her companion’s next move. Piper’s fingers danced across his shoulder and then caressed down his back. She put her chin in the hollow of his neck and said softly in his ear, “Your guards thought we’d be a nice surprise. A gift.”

“Mmm,” he crooned. “Did they?” But he’d yet to remove his weapon. He glided fully in front of Layala. It took everything in her to not lean back or let her buzzing magic tear apart this room. This was the elf responsible for torturing Thane, after all. She expected him to be uglier or there to be some sign of his wickedness on his face, but he was as beautiful as most elves, more so than some. His dark eyes glittered as they trailed down her body. With care, he watched as he slid the dagger down her throat, across her collar bone and then pressed the tip gently above her left breast. “I can hear your heart beating. Are you nervous?”

“Yes,” she answered.

“Are you afraid?”

Layala briefly looked at Piper. Her friend rubbed her hands down his chest and back up. “No.”

“You’ve never done this before, have you? Offered yourself to a male you don’t know.”

Not even close, Layala thought. “You’re correct, Lord.” And why hadn’t he taken his dagger away from her chest yet? And why wasn’t Piper talking like she said she would?!

He tilted his head to kiss the top of Piper’s hand as she rubbed his shoulders. They should have had a clearer plan. What was the blasted plan? Fennan said she’d have to hump it out of him, but Piper said she had other ways of persuading, and truthfully, Layala came along for support. Her only thought was to tie the bastard to a chair and pull his fingernails off until he gave up the location. Maker, she was a brute in need of finesse.

Brunard scrutinized every inch of her face. She stared back at him, counting the beats of her heart to focus on something other than her itching magic or the pinch of Brunard’s dagger. Did he recognize her? Long moments passed. He must know, mustn’t he? Would he shove the blade straight through her heart?

Piper, say something!

“I love the innocent ones,” he said and slid his other hand over her stomach, holding his fingers under the chain around her waist. Her skin prickled at the violation. “The ones who need me to teach them things.”

What a disgusting prick.She could no longer stand the blade at her heart. Her hand wrapped around the sharp metal, and she pushed it back slightly. It cut into her palm, but she gladly took the sting. He didn’t ease off. Did this elf have some sort of knife fetish? She thought seriously about slamming her knee into his crotch, twisting the dagger out of his hand, and using it on him. But she would give Piper more time to do whatever it was she had in mind. “Lord, please.”

He smiled and eased the weapon off. “It was just so delicious watching you get more and more nervous. You’re like a frightened doe and this is unusual for me. Most of the maidens I get are experienced and eager to please.”

He backed her against the wall and his palms hit on either side of her head. “Tell me, what do you want to do to me, precious?”

She swallowed hard. “Truthfully?”

His finger wrapped around a piece of her long hair and then he pulled on it enough to hurt. “I’d love to hear it.” Before she could answer he leaned forward and fully kissed her on the mouth.

Holy shit.

She went stark still. Revulsion pulsed through her as the taste of wine on his tongue filled her mouth. Was he drunk? And holy Maker above, could Thane see this? She wanted to slam her hands into his chest. Where the hell was Piper? She glanced behind him and found Piper silently rifling through the trunk at the end of his bed. Layala of all people was Brunard’s distraction?

Layala put her palms flat against him and pushed gently but enough to get his lips off her. “You know what I’d love to do to you, Lord Brunard?”Cut out your wretched heart.

“Tell me,” he begged. “I love watching your lips move. They’re so soft and plump.” He leaned forward, moving in for another kiss.

From behind, Piper pulled his chin around to face her. “Come play with me. You’re giving her all the attention.” She slipped a full glass of wine into his hand. “Have some more, Lord.”

She gave Layala an apologetic look and then took his hand, leading him toward the bed.

He tipped his head back and drank it down in seconds. “You’re too kind, lovely.” He grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled her to a stop. Bringing the locks to his nose, he inhaled. “I adore redheads. You don’t feel as much pain.”

Piper turned and grabbed between his legs. He lightly hissed. “You have red in your hair, so tell me, does that hurt or do you like it?”