Chapter 66: His Preferred Weapon
"Don’t know," Rafael said. "Don’t have it."
"Oh, come on now, Your Highness," Elowyn said with a pout. "There were quite a few fancy jewels strapped onto your horse when it was confiscated. It was a shame there wasn’t a single purple stone in there. But I know you have some attached to your..." her eyes roamed up and down his body, "self."
"You told me I needed to find a high-quality gem," Rafael pointed out, his eyebrow twitching at her blatant perusal. Normally he loved it when women ogled him, but when it was Elowyn, it only made goosebumps crawl over his arms.
He stepped away from her and deliberately wiped his hand on his pants, as though Elowyn contained an infectious disease.
"Unfortunately for you, I do not have anything that passes your rigorous standards. Can’t you nick something from the treasury instead?" He added, exasperated. "Or simply get Orion to get some for you as part of the nuptials? Why extort me?"
"Because extorting you is fun!" Elowyn exclaimed with all sincerity, a twinkle of joy in her eyes at Rafael’s obvious discomfort. She did love to toy with powerful men and leave them helpless in her hands. "It means more if it comes from you."
"I dare you to say that again while Orion is in earshot," Rafael said. "Let him think we’re having an affair."
Elowyn shook her head. "If you want to die, Rafael, there are easier ways to go about doing so. Why, I could end your life right now if I wished. There’s no need for Orion to lay a hand on you."
She smiled viciously and reached out a hand to tilt his chin, her fingernails digging into his throat. Her other hand grabbed Rafael’s, placing it on his waist.