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“Besides,” the golden one added, “it is a sin to hide such a luscious body under layers of unworthy garments. We prefer your bare skin.”
“I do not wish to be naked anymore.” I pouted. “Well? Are you not going to bring me to your lord?”
The two of them still flooded me with curious gazes. “Your name,” demanded the golden one.
“Elyra.” My voice was timid.
“Pretty name,” he said, exchanging a mysterious glance with his friend.
“Well? Are you not going to tell me yours?”
“I am called Ronen,” said the golden one. He nodded to his friend, “and he is Callarn, my bond brother.”
Callarn winked playfully. “And you are soon to be our dhamarani.” Shared wi
fe.
I flustered even deeper. My suspicions were confirmed. “I think not. I do not wish to be shared.”
Ronen and Callarn exchanged a look. Ronen shook his head languidly. “It does not matter what you think, she-elf. We claim you.”
Chapter Two
Despite my protests, Ronen and Callarn denied me clothing. I tightened my grips upon Ronen’s shoulder, pressed my bare breasts against his back, and arranged my legs in such a way to hide my privates from everyone’s eyes. Some centaurs shouted some catcalls at Ronen in their native tongue and he replied back just as good-humoredly. The women giggled, offering their friendly smile, but I was too frightened to return their warm gestures.
Callarn and Ronen stopped at a great hut in the middle of the village. Callarn helped me dismount. The two of them shapeshifted into their human form. I didn’t guess they would retain their clothing when they transformed into humans. Both of them were bare-chested, wearing leather breeches and boots.
It was bright inside the hut, lit by candles that had been enchanted to float in the air. Four men were sitting by a large, roughly chiseled wooden table. I suspected they were the Emagari masters. Three men talked with deep respect to the one who sat at the head of the table. He must be the lord of the Khimerians. Their conversation interrupted, they turned their attention to the door the moment I stepped inside.
“My lord.” Ronen bowed. “We have found a trespasser on the south border.”
The lord was the most beautiful man I had laid my eyes upon. His hair was the color of golden thread. His eyes were icy blue, sparkling like precious jewels. Unlike the others, he was clad in a soft sable jerkin and breeches. His muscles were well-defined. His arms were covered in intricate black ink work.
He motioned me to come closer. I trudged toward him shyly.
“Aren’t you a pretty little one? My name is Veredi. What’s your name?” His voice was deep and enchanting. A voice made to seduce and beguile one to his will.
“Elyra. Elyra of Drorknar.”
“You are from the Drorknar clan?”
I answered him with a quick nod.
“You are a Taerajaj.” Shadow-elf . “What were you doing in the Mainland? You were far away from home.”
I quickly directed my gaze away. “I went astray.”
Another round of laughter broke out among the men.
“I could see you strayed,” said Veredi, rather impatiently. “And you are not a mere common-folk.” He tugged my chin up again to meet his stare. “You are royalty.”
I wondered how the lord knew I was from nobility. I had no markings upon my person and the only evidence of my highborn was my clothes. But Ronen and Callarn had taken them away.
Veredi’s smile widened. “And you were on the run.”
By now, I was convinced the lord just loved playing games. I bet he already knew everything about me. Rumor said masters of Emagari possessed high magic that only the famous Rhakaran could rival.
“Are you not going to answer me?”
