Depths of Madness - Erik Scott De Bie [56]
After a moment, Twilight raised an eyebrow, and his flush only deepened. He finally thought to whirl around just as she wrapped a dark cloak around her bare body.
"Little point now," she said. "So speak. I have little enough time for wandering lads who fancy watching lasses more than a century their senior strip bare."
Liet turned about, hesitantly. "Ah," he said. "Well…"
"Now there's a deep thought," the elf observed.
"I need to tell.you, ah…Liet trailed off.
"Are all men of the Dales this eloquent?" Twilight's face contorted. "Out with it! Did you come to berate me for letting
Asson die? Or question my methods with Davoren and Taslin?" She eyed him fiercely. "Or perhaps just a quick tumble on the stone here? It's been a long day. I could certainly use some vigorous comforting, how about you?"
"I'd settle for a vigorous handclasp," murmured Liet, not thinking. Then he froze.
Twilight blinked. "What?"
In an instant, the angry gleam in her eyes took on a new tone.
"Uh, ah, that is, I-"
"What did you say?" she asked softly.
"Ah," Liet said. "I merely wanted to-make sure you're well, after ah, today."
Twilight looked at him as if no one had ever said such a thing to her before. "Why?" she asked finally.
It was Liet's turn to be speechless. "I just, ah-just concerned, that's all." Hadn't he wanted to tell her something? Something important?
"You're not breaking one of my rules, are you?" Twilight asked with a wry smile.
"Most maids would call me chivalrous," said Liet, "and not accuse me of-"
"Do you know how to please an elf, manling?" Twilight's eyes narrowed dangerously. "A kiss upon the tip of the ear or a lick on the palm of the hand is quite a thing."
"Uh, 'tisnt, ah, why I'm here," Liet managed.
"Really? You're certain you're"-she slid up to him and pressed herself against his chest, using her lithe curves to full effect-"not breaking"-Liet stiffened, but only from surprise, as she traced her fingers down many days' stubble-"rule number"-she finished, pressing her nose against his, caressing his lips with her own-"four?"
"And what-what if I am?" Liet was almost breathless.
With a little laugh, Twilight shoved him away.
"I could make an attempt at poetry," Liet said. "If that's what y-"
He instantly regretted it. In her face, in her stance, he saw that whatever fire had been lit had vanished. He felt like a child.
"Go to your rest, boy," she said. "I present far too wild a beast for you to tackle, this night or any night. You do not wish to try."
He sniffed. "Is that not my choice?"
When Twilight raised an eyebrow, he cursed inwardly again. Why must she be so clever?
"Ah, I mean, not whether I tackle you-uh, but whether I wish to, ah, try?"
"Go to your rest," she repeated. "And that's the end."
Liet turned away, defeated. Then he caught himself on the wall and looked back. He was tired of being tteated like a child, so he decided to say something not boyish. Of course, as soon as it came out of his mouth, it sounded quite juvenile. "I'm not afraid of you, Twilight."
Her reception, however, was not what he expected. She stared at him, her skin white, as though he'd said something quite mature. "You're certain?"
"Aye," said the man Liet had suddenly become. "The question is, are you so certain you're not?"
She did not answer, but merely stared at him until-a little more confident-he went back to his blankets.
Twilight awoke the following morning to screams. Cursing, she fumbled out of her cloak and grabbed Betrayal. She ran down the tunnel to her companions.
Taslin sat in the middle of the room, screaming and moaning, rocking back and forth. There was something red on the floor in front of her. Gargan stood over Davoren, axe ready, and Slip huddled behind him. Liet had his short sword at the warlock's throat. –
"Hold!" Twilight shouted. "What is this?"
"He… he did something" Liet stammered, "to Taslin."
"You saw him?" Twilight demanded. "What