Read Online Game of Temptation by Anda J. Santoso - Free Book Online

elves
retained control of their lusts as they bathed in the lake together. Another
part of her was puzzled at how they could display themselves at each other so
easily. Perhaps that was one of the reasons why a man and a woman's union meant
so little to them. They did not share the intimacy of a husband and wife who
would only bare all to their mates.
    There was a lot both races could learn from
one another. Her dread to rule slowly turned into excitement at the prospect of
making the two races see eye to eye once again. She only had to return to
Dosalam and play the politics of her kingdom right. It would be difficult to
reconcile them again after all the bloodshed, but it was not impossible. She
was with the elves and she could see that acceptance of them was easy for her
as long as she forgave their atrocities and she let go of her own prejudice and
hatred of them.
    An elf landed in front of her stopping her
in her tracks. Her hands gripped her skirts and her jaw clenched seeing
Liushan. He was not weaving any magic on her. At least, none that she could
tell. But he stared at her with an intensity she had only felt when Arun looked
at her. But it was not the same feeling. Arun's piercing stare made her feel
vulnerable and open to him – but safe. Liushan's own made her feel as if she
were a condemned prisoner. He felt like a judge trying to find more faults in a
horse thief than stealing the crown's prized steed.
    "Liushan," she regarded him and
thought about her earlier thoughts. It was possible to reunite them if she,
herself begun the process. "How are you? I hope you are well."
    "Prince Arun has commanded you to stay
in his chambers," he replied cuttingly, "And you go against his
express command. Do you not know that he will be responsible for anything that
you do or anything that happens to you? Or do you wish to bring evil on him and
give his enemies reason to strip him of his titles?"
    Alethi was taken aback. She knew he was
keeping her for her own protection. Though how grave the consequences were, she
did not know.
    "We are not like you humans who come by
status because of birth. We work for it." His hand gripped the pommel of
his dagger. "I swear, by the gods, if you destroy the prince, I will kill
you at the cost of my life."
    With her new perspective, Alethi could see
Liushan in a new light. His actions could only be attributed to loyalty – if
one that is based on blind faith. A loyal liege like Liushan would be difficult
to find among humans, and maybe even among elves. Doubtless, he was an
important part of Arun's power base and she was thankful she told him she did
not want him punished when Arun asked.
    "Forgive my ignorance," she said,
"Will you walk with me back and ensure my safety?"
    Liushan looked at her with suspicion.
"You ask this after what I have done to you?" The grip on his dagger
tightened.
    "No," Alethi shook her head,
"I do not trust you as much as you do not trust me. But I ask this on the
loyalty that you serve your prince and the honor I owe him." She didn't
blame him if he suspected her of pulling tricks on him. She would be wary of
such sudden kind responses from nobles as well.
    He nodded and walked an arm's length beside
her, his hand never leaving the pommel of his dagger. His head held high and
straight, but his eyes were wary and watchful. It was all the more reason for
Alethi to steel herself as she felt the familiar stirring between her thighs.
It was a light stirring, unlike earlier, and though she could feel herself get
more and more sensitive, she held herself together, hopeing that his senses
were not open enough for him to notice the wetness that was beginning to pool
in her.
    "I want you to know," Alethi
looked at him to steel herself as they walked, "that I hold no grudge
against what you did. You acted on what you thought was right and I commend
that. I am just a little frightened at the zeal in which you accomplish things.
I wish for there to be no barrier between