“A few centuries, easily,” Faryn said, surprised. “I thought you knew that.”
“He didn’t mention it,” I said, stunned. “He’s not an elf, and he looks human as far as I know. Is. . . is he an immortal?”
“That remains to be seen.” She laughed. “But he’s not fallen prey to the maladies of the flesh, if that’s your meaning. There are aspects to Augmentation that outstretch even a century’s worth of study. The blood of my race keeps me young, but I believe that Guildmaster Xilarion is human, at least. Which speaks volumes about his knowledge and power.”
“Xilarion said he fought with the Emperor. Beqai and Ganyir both mentioned they’d been involved in the campaigns, too. And Horix. Are they all as ancient as Xilarion?”
Faryn nodded. “Which makes it all the more impressive that you managed to defeat Horix in single combat.” She sipped at a goblet and examined it for a moment. “An extended lifespan hardens prejudice and pushes one toward stiff traditions. And yet, you woke King Beqai from his meditation and helped save his city. And, if what Mahrai tells me is correct, Lord Ganyir would not have taken back Hyng’ohr Valley without your encouragement.”
“Sometimes, all it takes is a little spark,” I said. “I merely wanted to help.”
“And help you did. But while you may see yourself as a spark, everyone else sees you as a blazing inferno, Ethan. A passionate whirl of flame that purifies the provinces and burns those that stray from the Wandering Path.”
I raised an eyebrow. “A passionate whirl of flame?”
Faryn’s cheeks flushed slightly as she nodded. “Yes.”
“Sounds romantic. Something else on your mind?”
She finished the last of her wine, set down her goblet, and gazed into my eyes. Her expression shifted from apprehensive to appreciative, and her fingers tightened around my hand. I felt another kind of hunger that had nothing to do with food.
I glanced around at the feast. Among the other revelers, Kumi and Vesma danced in flowing, circular motions. Mahrai had broached another barrel of wine to fill her cup. Kegohr had vanished, no doubt breaking bunks with Veltai somewhere. I knew that they wouldn’t miss me for the rest of the night.
“I have another kind of feast in mind for you, Ethan,” Faryn whispered.
I grinned and gestured to the doors of the hall. “Then, by all means, lead the way.”
Faryn left the hall, but I waited a few minutes at the table to discourage anyone from forming a connection between our absence. After I was sure she would have arrived in her quarters, I swallowed the last of my wine and went toward her room.
When Faryn and I had first started our relationship, my nights with her had always involved sneaking off to a quiet place in the woods, or a secret nook in the guild house. But after I’d returned here, Faryn had found it easier to invite me into her chambers on nights like this one. The feast would continue for another few hours, and it was unlikely that we would be missed.
I knocked on Faryn’s door and waited. She answered a moment later, and my jaw dropped. Her ceremonial robes had vanished in favor of a silk shift that barely fell past her hips and drew my gaze to her generous chest. She brushed a strand of her free-flowing hair behind a pointed ear and ushered me inside with a soft tug at my sleeve.
Her room reminded me of a forest clearing. Rough wooden panels flanked the walls and sported local flowers in neatly arranged bunches. Thick incense drifted over her downy bed, and a comforting warmth crept into my body as I turned to face her.
We didn’t waste time.
I kissed her gently, and she nudged me backward toward her bed. The taste of wine, sweetmeats, and Faryn’s own tongue flooded my mouth as she pressed herself against me and tugged at the ties of my robe. I helped her pull it open and let the garment fall to my feet. She moaned softly as I tickled her lips with my tongue and drew her down to the bed.
Her soft fingertips brushed the scar on my shoulder as she kissed my neck. I smiled at the contact, twisted over the sheets, and pressed her into the mattress. Another moan of pure need spilled from her throat as I traced a line of kisses down her neck and to the edge of her nightdress. She curled her fingers into my hair and encouraged me with a gentle tug toward her skin. I pulled the shift away from her shoulder and kissed her breast. Her spine curved into a beautiful arch as I let my tongue slip over her marbled nipple, and she reached down to pull at my trousers with desperate fingers.
“Please, Swordslinger,” Faryn murmured. “Take me.”
I took my time untying the loose pants that went with the ceremonial robe and paused a moment to appreciate her. Her eyes smoldered with need as she parted her smooth thighs and bared her wet, warm center to me. Brown hair splayed around her on the sheets in a gorgeous halo, and her pale skin shone in the low light of her chamber. I worked my way out of my trousers and slid effortlessly into her with one stroke.
“Yes,” Faryn moaned. “Please, more.”
Her bed creaked as I drove into her over and over again. Her silky skin pressed into mine as I kissed her and kept up the pace. She tightened her legs around my hips, and her nails tore into the sheets as she scrambled for a handhold. Pleasure rippled down my spine like lightning, and an animalistic growl spilled out of Faryn’s mouth as we both reached our peak. I slowed my pace, let her catch her breath, and dropped to her side.
Faryn traced a pattern over my skin as I tucked
