Roo didn’t miss how the thunder in the distance didn’t cover the sudden murmurs of the people nearby. Even from the gates.
They must of seen her donkey elf ears.
Curse his luck. His duty … why’d she reveal herself like that?
Her flick ruined how her hair covered them too.
And honestly, he shouldn’t expect everyone to savor how her lips were the same sweet strawberry as the sky.
Even the hawker behind the apple cart gagged and shuffled back, the penny for his last precious apple clearly not worth the risk of confronting an enemy elf girl over, and the legends of their archery magic was … legendary.
Nasty.
Very explosive nasty.
They could summon a bow and arrows of pure powerful light to shot and boom their targets very dead vaporized bits.
No doubt Peaches perfected it, but still … she wasn’t even on guard.
Yet.
Perfect.
Without looking Roo flipped a penny toward the hawker, who caught it quick and dashed away.
No telling when backup would show up, insist Roo do his duty and lamp her sexy ass as the WANTED poster behind her proclaimed was … sigh.
She even earned herself a bounty … wow.
His heart racing …
Peaches and Roo still both held the gooey stick with the apple. No doubt she hoped he’d “accidentally” release it and lose by default.
At this rate, she might win that way.
Okay.
Time to try changing the topic a touch.
Try to be clever despite his treacherous eyes savoring her amazing breasts from the corner of his gaze as much as his treacherous nose savored her peachy smell.
Okay. okay. Idea. Forming.
(Can’t make this moment stretch too long or else it might break.)
“Wonders never cease,” Roo said, “But truth be told, you’d make the most awesome—”
She tsked. “I’m already awesome.”
She even folded her arms over her chest. That annoyed her? Wow. Why? He couldn’t help but enjoy how her forearms lifted that amazing boobage of hers.
“Riiight …” Roo said, “I will be too. Together we’ll—”
“Together?” Peaches said, “How many elves are fighting on your side? Free elves?”
That razor gaze of hers getting sharper — stark blue electric bolts ready to fry him good. Better than the thunder rumbling in the distance. She was definitely about to play razors.
Perfect.
“Elves burning humans alive,” Roo said, “And the whole reborn if you die thing … it’s an ugly solution to an ugly problem. The best would be—”
“The best would be if humans just died,” Peaches said.
“Die?” Roo said, “Why … what happened to you?”
“The Oak of Ages happened to me,” she said, “You humans burned so many down and … it hurts. Literally. And getting reborn isn’t as … nice as it sounds. It … hurts. Dying hurts. I’m on my fourth life. Already. So please. Just die for me. Okay? You said you would. Sort of. Right?”
Roo … gulped. His heart … like it was staked with ice.
An icicle.
“My clan,” he said, “You know what happened to them?”
Roo never liked thinking of them but …
“Why should I?” she said, “They betrayed us like—”
“They died to protect your precious stupid tree!” he said, “I’m … I’m all that’s left. Except my mom. All because … you don’t care, do you? All this time you elves …”
That jolted her good. Her big blue eyes finally seemed as hurt as he was.
“Oh Roo,” Peaches said, “I’m sure you believe—”
“What about the treaty?” he said, “My clan died protecting your tree yet … your side still attack Vorshaya Village. Ruined it beyond …”
Roo gulped.
Again.
“I thought …” he said.
“You thought wrong,” Peaches said, “I—”
“Just another light-obsessed murderous freak now,” he said, and did the best not to let his voice crack.
“Wait” she said, “Wha—”
“You heard me,” he said, “Burning humans like tinder all for purity bullshit. And it’s bullshit. How many people have you burned? Killed? Over your Lightful—”
That got him a scornful pout.
“None!” she said, “I mean, you’ll be the first and I won’t — no, I … wait, burn? I … since when did elves go around burning anything? We protect—”
“Not with plants,” Roo said, “With those fell light powers.”
And Roo knew what he had to do.
Even if it broke his heart to do it.