Heart of the Forest (Arwn's Gift Book 1) by Christina Quinn Page B

agreed.”
    “Because I want you, and I want you safe. One thing I noticed about Laeth during the month I was here, humans and elves don’t live together.”
    “I’m not stupid, don’t plowing treat me like I’m stupid.”
    “My friends can’t know because to keep you safe from them, I would have to…have you in front of them. And, I would much rather have you alone before publicly performing with you.”
    “You still love me?” Tilting my head to the side, I curiously looked him over. In the shadow of his hood, I could see his lips twist into a joyous smirk.
    “Mhm. And it’s taking all the control I have not to pull you into my arms.”
    “My, aren’t you charming.”
    “How have things been? Are they treating you okay?”
    “Some refuse to pay my prices now because they supposedly have proof that I’m a witch. Oh, and I’m the cause of the drought, apparently. And I’m sure they’ll say I’m the cause of this storm too.”
    “Clearly. I vaguely remember you dancing nude in full moonlight… Mmm, now that I think of it, that was probably in my dreams.” We shared a short laugh, “Gods, I’ve missed you.”
    The whore took little convincing. All Aneurin had to do was say the word “elf,” and she was on her way to my cottage so fast I was afraid she’d left her shadow behind. Aneurin and I, on the other hand, walked slowly. Even through the chill of the rain it felt good to be around him, and I only felt a bit foolish for it… and for the smile that refused to leave my lips.
    “How long do you think you’ll stay?”
    “I don’t know. Until the storm clears at least, and by the looks of it that could be days.”
    “I’d keep you around indefinitely if I could control the weather.” He smirked at my words but fell quiet as we passed through the gates and into the outskirts. The rain picked up again, soaking us thoroughly as thunder cracked and crashed overhead.
    “You’re going to catch a chill.”
    “I’ll be fine. When we get in, I’ll brew some tea and leave you to your orgy.” I stuck my tongue out at him before a half-laugh broke my lips.
    “At least drink with us. The wine’ll warm you.”
    “Maybe.”
    “Can I sneak into your bed tonight?”
    “Maybe.” We shared a laugh.
    “You’re not giving me a whole lot to work with, now are you?”
    “Mmm.” I smiled, and we laughed again. “You can… Whether or not I’ll be willing to do more than sleep next to you is an entirely different matter. I have the nasty habit of sleeping with a dagger.”
    Upon returning, I honestly wasn’t sure what I had expected to find on the other side of the door. I did know that what I found wasn’t on the list. The room smelled like sex, which was a quite the feat considering I always burned sage, and the windows were cracked open. I expected Islwyn to be fucking the whore—that was a given. He was drunk and the whole reason I went to get her. However, I didn’t expect the other three elves to be in the nude, openly enjoying the show. Were I not drenched from the rain I probably would have said something. But my skin was nothing but puckered gooseflesh, and I was cold.
    “You love that thick elven cock, don’t you, Dy’ne bitch?” Islwyn growled to the whore as he forced her against the wall, mercilessly slamming into her from behind. Sophisticated race, my ass. The whore seemed to be enjoying herself immensely, as her nails literally shredded the paint from the wall in front of her. Her lips, smeared with rouge, hung open, and her eyes rolled back in her head, flashing pure white. I cocked a brow at the erotic tableau and then without a word stepped past them, slipping into my private rooms. I’d deal with the naked elves later. I needed to get out of my wet clothes.
    I changed to the cadence of Islwyn slamming the whore against the wall. It would have been ignorable if he weren’t so vocal. The wet dress slipped off my shoulders and hit the floor with something halfway between a