Page 24

Rhyn was unsuccessfully trying to converse with Ela.

“You’ve patrolled the hall three times already,”

he complained, lengthening his stride to keep pace. She sped up.

“I have a job to do protecting the royal visitors. Can’t you leave me in peace?”

“The visitors do include me, you know.”

“Oh? And what do you need protecting from, Lord Davorrian?”

Ela did an exaggerated sweep of the immediate vicinity. “I don’t see any hordes of lovesick females preparing to ambush you.”

“Seriously, have you not been paying attention to anything I’ve been saying?”

He grabbed her arm and swung her round.

A risky move – she could have easily punched him in the mouth but the fact that they were surrounded by people held her back.

“What are you doing?”

she asked furiously.

“Trying to get your attention for one lousy minute. Vannla’s Sword, why do you always make things so difficult?”

“Maybe because you get your way far too often,”

she retorted. “What do you want?”

“I merely want to point out two things. And I want you to pay attention, general, because I won’t be repeating myself. Are we clear?”

He stepped towards her so he could lower his voice, forcing her to look up. She was irritated by the fact that he was taller than her.

“Yes,”

she said through gritted teeth. “We’re clear. Now what is it?”

Why did he need to stand so close? It was unnerving.

“Number one. Think carefully. Have you seen me with any other females since we began working together on the peace accords?”

“What makes you think I pay any attention to your tawdry love-life?”

“Because according to you I spend every night in a different bed. So let me ask again. Have you seen me with anyone else recently?”

Ela thought about it. Really thought about it. She’d seen Rhyn with so many different women over the years it had become second nature to assume he was always with someone. But try as she might, she couldn’t remember anyone mooning over him in the past few weeks.

She glanced up at him, annoyed by the little smile playing over his lips.

“The obvious explanation is you’re recovering from a bout of phestrellia. It wouldn’t surprise me if your zarnad was rotting away from your incessant promiscuity.”

“A delightful image, but no. I am not diseased. I am in full working order, I assure you.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Fine, you’ve managed to exercise restraint recently. I’m sure the female population is devastated. So?”

“So that leads me to my second point. Are you paying attention?”

“Rhyn, I really need to get on. I…”

“General Solarun,”

he barked, so firmly she jumped. “Are you paying attention?”

“Yes,”

she ground out. Her heart started racing and she didn’t know why.

“The reason I haven’t been with any other female is because I’m not interested in any other female. I’m only interested in you.”

He held her gaze. “You are formidable, Elaryx Solarun. And don’t think I don’t see the irony in falling for the only person on Vraxos who can resist my charms.”

He’d fallen for her? No. He was toying with her.

“I don’t know what game you’re playing, Lord Davorrian,”

she said evenly. “But I’ve already told you. If you think I’ll be your next conquest, you’re sadly mistaken.”

“I see. So you don’t have any interest in me at all? Not one iota?”

His eyes were liquid amber and she found to her chagrin she couldn’t look away.

“I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She wanted to add something scathing but her usual supply of sarcasm seemed to have deserted her. Her breath caught as he leaned closer.

“Then let me make it simple for you. If you have no feelings for me whatsoever, just turn around and walk away. I won’t follow and I won’t speak of this again. But if you’re feeling brave, Ela, if you want to see where this goes…”

He put his lips next to her ear and whispered. “Stay.”

The softly-spoken word was heavy with promise and her pulse ratcheted. Drek’aa beresh, what in the name of Ayanlesh was happening to her?

She willed herself to march off in the opposite direction but her legs wouldn’t obey. She was rooted to the spot, pinned by the searing intensity of his eyes.

And when his gaze dropped to her lips, she found herself parting them in anticipation. He moved closer until his mouth was hovering over hers.

“Fair warning, general. I’m going to win you over if it’s the last thing I do.”

Don’t listen to him. This is just his idea of a joke. He’ll make a fool of you.

But it was too late. Her lashes fluttered shut as she waited breathlessly for the touch of his lips.

Waited.

Waited.

When she opened her eyes again, he’d gone.