The Elfmaid's Curse (The Elfmaid Trilogy Book 1) (3 page)

            "I'll bet you an ale that I've had more women than you today," Danic said.

            "Ha! Where's that ale, lad," Carl cried. "I've taken three since we rode in this noon."

            "Five. I've had five," Danic said, winking. "And they were all extremely grateful."

            "Ouch! Just cut my heart out here!" Carl said. "Don't torture your friend like this."

            "Buy me my ale, and maybe I'll have mercy and not give you all the details." Danic said, laughing at Carl's consternation and squeezed the pretty blonde on his lap, who squealed with delight. It wasn't often Danic out-caroused the big barbarian. Kissing the blonde's warm pink lips, "Maybe you'll be number six."

            She kissed him hard on the ear, "After me, you wouldn't need a seventh."

            "You hear that, Carl? I've finally found a woman worthy of my talents and appetites!"

            Carl gave her an appraising look. "She doesn't look comatose to me."

            Winking at the blonde, "His jealousy never ceases to amaze me."

            "Gods be praised!" Carl whispered. "Danic, take a look at what just arrived."

            The blonde standing just inside the door seemed hesitant for second. A haughty look quickly returned to her flawless face, her stance proud and confident. She seemed to be looking for someone, scanning the room slowly.

            "A Goddess if I ever saw one," Danic said, a look of near awe covering his face.

            Her blue silken dress brought out her eyes, while doing little to hide all of her dangerous curses. Her arms were bare, but her skirt fell to her ankles.

            "That one's no tavern girl, my friend," Carl said.

            "Ten crowns copper says I'll bed her within the hour," Danic said.

            Danic felt hunger building as he looked her over. She was a shapely beauty, with a thick luxurious mane of waist length golden blonde hair and the brightest sapphire blue eyes he'd ever seen. Everything about her — her graceful carriage, her air of confident arrogance — screamed noble. He especially took note of all the gold jewelry she wore. Not a wise thing to do in a place like that. Not a wise thing to do in Elfhaven, period.

            "I'll take that bet," Carl said.

            "What about me?" the blonde tavern girl asked in a tiny voice.

            Danic slipped her a crown copper. "Go away."

            With an angry snort, she left in a swirl of silky blonde hair and cheap perfume.

            "I swear, Danic, you know how to make a wench feel special," Carl chuckled.

            Danic shrugged.

            "And I'll have that beauty feeling special shortly," he said as he left.

            She noticed him as he moved toward her. He could tell she was sizing him up, and liked what she saw. Noble or not, he figured she would not be easy. He suddenly felt inadequate to the job, something he wasn't accustomed to feeling.

            "My Lady," Danic bowed. "Let me introduce myself. Sir Danic of Drakehorn, Knight of the Dragon, your humble servant."

            "A Jarland knight...excellent," she purred low, eyes sparkling with delight. Danic noted her eyes were slightly slanted, something he had only seen in elves before. Automatically, his sharp eyes darted to her half-concealed ears. When she cocked her head to look at him, he saw that her ears were pointed. Offering her hand, she recaptured his astonished attention, "I am Taara."

            There were two kinds of elves in his part of the world — Forest Elves and

High Elves. He was most familiar with the High Elves, who were one and all mages, and they lived almost exclusively in citadels within human cities. And High Elves were exceedingly vicious and dangerous. While the Forest Elves lived in the distant and mysterious Elven Empire.

            Forest Elves and High Elves were mortal enemies.

            He gently took her hand in his, silently thanked the Gods his hand wasn't shaking and roundly cursed the fact he had very little experience with the elven people. It was widely believed that the elves possessed the most advanced civilization in the world, and the most complicated and demanding social customs.

            He quickly recovered his wits, turning his full attention to the elfmaid before him. Raising her hand to his lips, he paused to admire its beauty. Her long delicate fingers were impeccably manicured and tastefully adorned with a fortune in exquisitely wrought gold, diamond, and sapphire rings, and scented with her delicate perfume. Matching bangles of silver and gold jingled on her slender wrists. Even her long nails were painted with a coat of shiny red lacquer.

            "I am honored, Lady Taara," he said, softly kissing her fingers. "Tell me what I must do to please you."

            Smiling, "I like your attitude, Sir Knight."

            "And I love your perfume," he said in low a voice as he breathed the delicate scent deeply. "I must admit to some surprise at finding a lady of obvious high birth here in the Ten Horses. Though you haven't given a noble title, I suspect you are a royal princess traveling discretely. Possibly an ambassador of your people on your way to a secret meeting with the ruler of some powerful kingdom."

            Even as her sultry laugh danced through the air on a musical lilt, seducing him, he couldn't stop admiring her features.  She possessed an oval face, with soft cheek bones and dark blue eyes  They were eyes, he realized that could easily possess a man

            Now that he knew, he could easily see the Elven features. Not only were her almond-shaped eyes slightly slanted, but he noted a bit of a slant to her eyebrows. However, since she was only the second elf he had ever seen, he was unable to discern any other traits that were different from humans in general.

            "You flatter me, Sir Danic." Taking hold of his arm, "But I'm dying of thirst."

            Leading her to an empty table, "Are you perhaps returning to your native lands? Or going to the Jarlands? If so, I'd be honored to join your escort."

            Danic didn't really care, but her answer might help him determine if she was Forest Elves or High Elves. He had no intention of calling off the chase, he just wanted to know how dangerous she was to him.

            She gave him an amused look. "You've finally figured out that I'm an elf."

            "Yes," he said, and winked at her. "Though I haven't determined if you are of the Forest Elves or the High Elves."

            She graced him with one wag of her brows. "So you don't know if I'm a mage or not."

            Danic grinned. "I find you quite enchanting, either way."

            "Actually, I was born in Horth, over in the northern Amazon Empire. I've never been to the Elven Empire," she said. "But I haven't lived in the Amazon Empire for quite a long time."

            That did not answer whether she was a Forest Elf or High Elf. If she was High Elf, why mention she's never been to the Elven Empire? No High Elf would ever even want to go to the Elven Empire. The Forest Elves would kill them on sight, if they were lucky. A Forest Elf's fate at the hands of the High Elves was far worse.

           
A Forest Elf that's never been to the Elven Empire?

            If he had use of his magic, Danic could easily determine if she was magical or not. He would know if she was a Forest Elf or High Elf. When he was young, Danic was taught magic. He was quite talented, too. And so powerful he frightened the powers that be. His is family was famous for their magic power, and one mage in particular who tried to enslave the world with his magic. Danic showed the same level of talent and power, and the same dark side his ancestor displayed. So for the safety of all, they suppressed his magical talents. Fortunately, he was equally skilled with weapons.

            "I don't blame you. I wouldn't want to live in the Empire, either," Danic said.

            Lady Taara paused, looking surprised, and then laughed.  He joined her, glad she saw the humor.

            He knew little about the far off Amazon Empire, except that Amazons were well known for their brazen behavior. At least the warriors were. The only men inside the Empire were slaves held for breeding purposes. Some event that he was not privy to had caused the women of the Empire to kill or expel all of their men almost three centuries back. Protected by powerful magic, high mountains, and the world's largest army, they had lived relatively unmolested ever since.

            Amazon female warriors were common enough as mercenaries. The nobility of the Deserts Sultanates, Jarlands, and Tyrians also preferred them for harem guards, paying high wages for their services. They were known to be reliable and loyal, as long as they were paid on time. Mostly, they were known as wild carousers in taverns.

            "The Empire's loss is my gain," he said. "I think you're a Forest Elf."

            "Perhaps," she smiled. Danic thought, maybe for a brief moment, there’d been an evil glint to her exotic eyes.. Then she laughed. "Yes, I am Forest Elf in ancestry. Like I've said, though, I've never been to the Elven Empire and I do not owe them any loyalty."

            That could only mean one thing. Taara's parents were outcasts. Expelled from the Elven Empire. Which meant she was neither Forest Elf or High Elf, and had to avoid both.

            "What is your pleasure?"

            Taara laughed low in her throat at the question. "Wine, Sir Danic, white wine." However, her eyes betrayed her true desires. He hoped, especially since white wine would be the most expensive drink in the tavern. If they even had any. Much to his surprise the serving girl didn't even flinch when he ordered it.

            Two glasses of cool white wine were soon brought. It proved to be to both their liking.

            "I'm surprised to find such a quaint vintage here," Taara said with a smile of approval.

            "You and me both, but not as surprised as finding such a beautiful, exotic woman as yourself."

            Running her foot up the inside of his leg, "You mean that?"

            Danic was ecstatic. She was actually trying to seduce him! He knew he was a bit unpolished when it came to women of quality. Indeed, he rarely had dealings with them since taking up the life as a roving swordsman at sixteen. Most women he bedded were either slaves, bond servants, or commoners. Or, most often, Amazon and barbarian swordwomen who were more likely to be the one to proposition him, and be quite specific in what they wanted, too. Carl would have a stroke when he led this beauty upstairs. Later, when Danic told him she was an elf, the big barbarian would be left speechless for the next month. A first for Carl.

            "I've never meant anything more in my life," he said, giving her a meaningful look straight in her sapphire eyes. Her shiver sent waves of pleasure through him as well. "My only desire is to please you."

            Taara's smile turned just a touch mischievous, and then she angled her foot and dragged the sharp end of her stiletto heel down his shin. Not hard enough to break the skin, but she dug in enough to make Danic stiffen.

            Leaning forward and resting her heavenly face inside those exquisitely manicured hands, "Tell me about yourself."

            Danic hesitated, because it was all wrong. A woman of such wealth and power shouldn't be out carousing, much less interested in a strange man in a seedy tavern. Still, she was just so gorgeous, and with Carl and all the others watching, he couldn't back out now. Besides, he garnered the impression maybe she was one of those women who loved to live on the edge, to take dangerous chances with their life and liberty.

            "Little to know," he said, lost in her eyes for the moment. "I'm from the Kingdom of Dakkor, from the Duchy of Drakehorn. As the younger son of the duke I'm pretty much free to do what I want." With an evil grin, "My elder brother had to join the army."

            "A fate you seem happy to have escaped."

            "A dreadful, dreary life, for sure."

            "But you could learn so much," she said.

            "My training as a knight had already taught me all I need. Besides, I’ve gained more experience in one year than my brother will in ten," Danic said. "He's fought in one war, I've been in seven."

            She sucked in a sharp breath, looking on the verge of ecstasy. Was it common soldiers that got her juices flowing? It wasn't unheard of for high status women in the large cities to seek out men of low birth for trysts behind their fathers' or husbands' backs.

            "A freelancer," Taara said. She leaned a little closer, appearing on the verge of panting. He noticed how her fierce gaze seemed to look him over with growing interest. Though it didn't appear to be sexual, but she was elven. Maybe they displayed lust differently. "Mercenaries have all sorts of interesting...talents."

            Spellbound, Danic watched as the tip of her tongue slipped out and wetted her upper lip. Deep hunger consumed him. He so wanted a taste of those lips. He wanted to kiss her more than anything in the world.

            "I learn something helpful on every adventure," he said, struggling to keep his wits. She was so bloody distracting. "And I've had quite a few adventures."

            "Have you learned to use that sword yet?"

            Danic stared at her. He was a knight! His teeth clenched tight, and he took a slow breath.

            "I think so," he said, managing to keep his tone casual. "I'm classified as a swordmaster in Dakkor. You may not be aware of it, but Dakkor has the highest standards of any city."

            Taara squirmed with delight as her smile broadened and her eyes sparkled. Danic wondered if she could do that at will, or was even conscious of it, but now he knew her true weakness. Swordsmen. Fighters. Taara had a thing for dangerous men.

            "What level are you?" she asked, voice an octave lower.

            "Level? Oh, you're from the Amazon Empire," he said and frowned, just a little annoyed. "I've always found it strange that Amazons have three levels of swordmasters. In Dakkor, indeed, in all the Jarland cities I know of, there is only one level. But different cities have different standards."