A/N -ahaha I got reviews! Makes my day! And from BV. Girl, I heart you. Here's more just for you lol.
just a quick note about troll accents; in this story when trolls are talking in their own language to each other there won't be the accent. I figured it only makes sense for them to have the accent if they are speaking Orcish or whatever the common language of the Horde is. I've seen other writers do it this way before and decided it worked well. Just a heads up so there is no confusion. :)
Chapter Two
Zahri had thoroughly stretched and warmed up her muscles and had shed her chest armor and weapon belt so that all she wore was her leather pants and a snug black tank top. She knew with this contest there would be no weapons allowed. If both combatants agreed to it, they could use practice swords or daggers. She was a little apprehensive to face the troll in hand to hand combat; by the looks of him he was a seasoned warrior that would not be easily bested. But she had faith in her abilities. She was a very skilled rogue and it wasn't for nothing that she had been assigned to one of the tougher regions in Northrend.
She and Ajia were much more relaxed and at ease as they jogged back toward Orgrimmar. They walked leisurely through the festival crowd that was turning more rowdy as evening approached. As they arrived at the city gates, she saw him leaning against the wall, his eyes half-lidded, and staring right at her as if he had been watching her approach for some time.
Zahri swallowed hard. There were those stupid butterflies in her stomach again.
He wore worn black leather pants and a lightweight, well-fitted white undershirt that showed off just how defined his muscles were. She surmised he had simply shed his outer shirt for the contest. She gulped as she absorbed his calm yet alert bearing.
His gaze was intense and focused squarely on her.
She nodded to him when he dipped his head in acknowledgment and steered her mount toward the area that was specially designated for duels and sparring during events like Brewfest. She dismounted and secured Ajia, relieved that the raptor was fed and drowsy. Turning toward the makeshift sparring ring, she smirked when she saw Roj'kah along with his orc and tauren companions.
Crossing her arms, she sized him up. Her adrenaline rushed and brought her innate natural good humor flaring to life. Adrenaline surged even stronger at the thought of a duel with the powerfully muscled warrior. "I see you were at least man enough to face me in a sparring contest."
Stepping into the sparring ring, the troll stood in the middle, rolling his shoulders and stretching to his full height. Turning around to face her with a wolfish grin, his eyes devouring her, he growled, "I be man enough to do more dan dat, sweet ting."
Feeling her insides flutter at the sound of his deep voice, she laughed, no longer taking umbrage to his flirting; instead, she felt exhilarated by it. Was this what power felt like? She stepped into the ring, her stance relaxed, her arms at her sides. "We'll just see about that." she cooed mockingly. His comrades hooted and cat-called when they heard this, and she noticed with a thrill that quite a crowd was beginning to gather to watch the two spar.
Roj'kah was having a difficult time concentrating on the task at hand. The woman stole his breath away standing there in the ring, taunting him, challenging him with her stance, looking like a goddess. A very deadly goddess. She was much more relaxed and at ease than when he had first encountered her...and he found he liked this side of her...a lot. Not only was she unbelievably hot, she was playful and apparently had a sense of humor. The clear ringing tones of her laughter stirred his blood. He eyed her appreciatively, rubbing the stubble on his chin as if sizing up his opponent.
"So I guess we be doin' dis wit no weapons 'cept our hands." He grinned, unable to keep the innuendo from escaping. His companions laughed raucously at this remark.
Zahri smiled wickedly and prowled toward him until she was only a few feet away from him. "Works for me...now if you are finished stalling," she bit her bottom lip as her gaze moved quickly over his form and back up to his eyes, "what do you say let's get down to business?"
With that, she vanished.
"Damn rogues," he muttered to himself, instantly on the alert, and fully bracing himself to be incapacitated, if just for a moment.
It happened quicker than he expected, the sluggish wooziness enveloping him utterly so all he could do was sway dazedly. He suddenly felt his feet swept from underneath him and he crashed heavily to the ground, momentarily stunned by the force of an unseen blow to his midsection. If she had had her daggers and if this were a real battle, he would already be dead. His admiration for the elf grew.
Taking her abilities a bit more seriously, Roj quickly rolled off to the side into a guarded crouch as soon as the effects of her sap wore off. He leapt off to the side a bit further away from where she reappeared behind him. She crouched to the ground, ready to pounce when he suddenly charged, careful not to impale her on his tusks, and knocked her off of her feet, stunning her. He didn't want to hurt her and so he paid more attention to restraining the force of his strikes than accuracy. He was vaguely aware that he would catch hell later for not giving the contest his all, but he had the feeling that her experience was no match for his own. He knew how to give a good fight to someone of lesser skill or experience without humiliating them or make it look like he was going easy on them. It was part of why he'd been promoted in the army at such a young age. Regardless of that fact, the girl was still a formidable opponent.
The contest went on for quite some time, and the troll found that she indeed was a worthy opponent. The grace and speed with which she moved was akin to a dancer. She was quick and agile and he found himself more and more impressed with her skill with each hit she landed. The sparring continued for another twenty minutes, the crowd watching the proceedings with great interest, as both troll and elf were breathing hard, and sweating profusely.
Roj figured they both deserved a break and with a fresh burst of speed, he ducked her next swing which threw her off balance. Quickly adjusting so he could grab her around the waist, he pushed her to the ground, eliciting a breathy squeak, and effectively pinning her beneath his body.
He looked down into her flushed face and grinned like a predator. "Do ya yield, elf?"
Zahri could barely think, Roj's much larger form pressing against hers was making her head swim. Her heart began to beat faster when she saw his eyes cut to her mouth. When he looked back into her eyes she felt her stomach flutter at the heat she saw there. Ever so slightly he moved his head so the curve of his tusk rested on the bottom of her chin but his eyes never moving from hers. Quirking his mouth into a smirk, he dipped his head, gently, but deliberately scraping her throat, causing her to whimper slightly. He grinned fully at her unspoken submission, releasing the pressure of his tusk. She narrowed her eyes, her mouth tipping slightly and said, "I know when I've been bested. I yield."
"Good...cause if you didn't, den I would have." he grumbled, and lifted his eyebrows suggestively with a crooked grin.
Her eyes widened a fraction and then narrowed in mock anger at what he said, but she couldn't hold back her grin. "Ooooh, I'll just bet you would have."
The troll leapt gracefully to his feet, and immediately offered Zahri his hand to help her to her feet. She started dusting herself off, just waiting for him to light into her with his smug arrogance. There was good-natured clapping and cheering all around the ring as the crowd that had gathered dispersed.
"Ya got some sharp moves, elf." Startled by his compliment, she looked up at him. He grinned, his vivid amber eyes shining with warmth that made her heart skip a beat. She was surprised when he broke eye contact with her, as if he was…shy? What in the actual hell? A shy troll? She smiled slightly at him when he looked back at her, feeling her cheeks grow warm under his gaze.
Blushing prettily, she bit her lip. "Eh…thanks…you aren't too bad yourself."
"Bahahaha, you sshhouldn't have held back with him, elf...thissh meathead needsh to be brought down a notch...hic!" Brunil boomed. His and Jannos' appearance in the middle of a somewhat pleasant conversation between them was not at all welcome, if the troll's murderous glare directed to his two friends was any indication.
"Ey, go sleep it off," Roj'kah growled, irritated.
Ignoring his friend's warning, Brunil slapped him on the shoulder. He was clearly extremely drunk, his speech slurring. "Nice job there, Roj, I wassh worried for ya there for a minute...thought a little bitty elf girl wassh gonna beatcha...hic!" The orc stumbled, trying to stay upright. Luckily, Jannos was a good deal more sober than the orc and much to Roj's relief took a hint. He hoisted the inebriated hunter's arm over his shoulder and hauled him to his feet, Brunil all the while mumbling. Jannos looked over Brunil's head at the troll, smiled at Zahri, and nodded goodnight to the two as he headed for the city gates.
"See ya, Jannos." Roj'kah called out. He turned back to Zahri with a sheepish look on his face. She giggled. He was certainly surprising her...but she found she liked it.
Rubbing the back of his head, he smiled lopsidedly at her. "Eh, sorry about dem...dey always get bent at Brewfest...sorta a tradition."
She wiped the sweat from her brow and snorted. "Well, I suppose that is the point of this holiday."
"Say, ya wanna go have a drink wit me? Or maybe a bite...I would love to talk to ya about...," and here he grinned slyly and sidled up closer to her, "raptor trainin'" Zahri laughed.
"I would really like that, Roj…" she looked back at her raptor and then shyly back at him. "I need to get Ajia stabled-"
Her words were cut off abruptly when she heard her name yelled by a happy, familiar voice. Looking toward the voice, she squealed when she saw her best childhood friend running her way, followed by her mate, Jarkal, at a much more sedate pace.
"Veya! Jarkal!"
Roj'kah looked curiously toward the direction she had bolted and observed with interest Zahri's joyous reunion with a petite female blood elf and a lithe muscular male troll. Roj watched the beautiful rogue throw her arms around the silver-haired troll and squealed when he picked her up off her feet for a bear hug. He set her on her back down and tweaked her ear affectionately. He then resumed his place behind the petite, ruby-haired elf wrapping his arm around the front of her shoulders as the two women chattered a mile a minute in their own language. The little elf woman leaned into him as if it were the most natural thing in the world. By all appearances, the troll was Zahri's friend's significant other, though he had never heard of such a thing before.
This day just kept getting weirder. He glanced at Zahri and grinned. Not that he was complaining.
Roj'kah watched fascinated as the elf seemed to be an extension of the silver haired Darkspear, totally at ease to be openly affectionate, unruffled by the curious stares they attracted from passersby, some of them overtly disgusted and disapproving. By the looks of the two, they didn't give a rat's ass and behaved as if their being together were completely commonplace and normal. Her small hand rested casually on a muscled forearm that was wrapped loosely but possessively around her shoulders. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd, alert to their surroundings, his lip curling in clear warning at a male blood elf in the crowd who openly pointed at them, whispering to his companions. The little female in his hold ignored them. The dangerous glare her huge protector sent their way sent the elf men scurrying off. A moment later the troll's gaze landed on Roj'kah and one eyebrow lifted in challenge, as if to say 'What the hell are you looking at, punk?' Roj finally let curiosity get the better of him and sauntered on over.
He walked up behind Zahri, hating to interrupt but was dying to know the story with her friend and this troll. Was it a fling? He didn't think so. Their easy and very public affection for one another nixed that notion. It wasn't unheard of for trolls and elves to mess around. But it was taboo and not really talked about. These two behaved like they were married or at least a serious couple. He touched his hands briefly on her waist to alert her of his presence behind her and grinned when she jumped and squeaked in surprise, so engrossed was she and the other elf in their catching up. It also did not escape his notice that she did not recoil from his touch, which pleased him immensely.
"Oh Sun save me, I'm sorry, how rude of me. Roj'kah, this is Veya and Jarkal, very dear friends of mine. Veya, Jarkal, this is Roj'kah." She offered no explanation for her association with him to anyone present, even though the expressions on their faces reflected surprise at Zahri's unexpected companion. She covered her mouth with her hand and stifled a giggle. Veya was looking hard at her like she wanted details and she wanted them now. Roj and Jark shook hands and after exchanging blank looks, both of them seemed to shrug. Zahri felt a tingle of electricity thinking of that brief moment his warm hands had been on her waist. She exhaled a shaky breath.
Veya was gawking between her friend and the big warrior. "So how did you two meet? Zahriana, what have you been up to?!"
"We were just…dueling." she supplied lamely.
"Realleh." Jarkal drawled with a snort. Veya elbowed him with a quelling look. He looked down at his little mate and then fixed a glare on the troll who would dare make eyes at Zahri.
The gentler of the two elf women shook her head in disgust. "Dueling? Whatever for? Honestly, Zahriana, is that what that crowd was gathered for over there? You and your silly notions. Why ever in the world would you duel? And with a man, of all things!" Zahri suppressed a sigh at Veya's fussing. She was so old-fashioned!
"Eh… because he was asking for it?" Zahri glanced red-faced at the warrior. He shrugged but his grin said plenty.
Veya leaned in to her old friend and hissed in demanding urgency, "You will give me details later, do you hear me?!" Then she covered her mouth to hold back her giggles as she glanced at Roj'kah. Zahri rolled her eyes at her friend and blew an exasperated sigh through her sweaty bangs, her face flaming with embarrassment. She finally gave in and leaned closer to her eager friend.
She hissed in Thalassian, "You would not believe the nerve of this guy."
Veya widened her eyes and clutched her arm, the two women lapsing into their native tongue, "What did he do? Zahriana! That troll is following you around like a puppy, if I'm not mistaken. I saw how he just looked at you!"
Zahri blushed a deep crimson, "I promise we will talk later. You are not mistaken. He has been flirting with me all afternoon and the crazy thing is, I like it. I think. What is wrong with me? Great Sun Veya, he's playing this arrogant blowhard act, but there is just something about him…"
Veya let out a throaty laugh at her friend. "Say no more, my dear. I hear you loud and clear. Isn't it obvious? He's doing what all men do when they want to impress a woman! It's just like you to prefer a duel over a little harmless flirting." She glanced at Roj and could not hold in another giggle. "He is rather…striking."
Zahri flushed an even deeper shade of red and rolled her eyes. "Tell me something I don't already know."
Veya elbowed her knowingly, "So did you win?"
Zahri scowled and then broke into a snorting laugh. "That depends..."
The males stood by listening to the females prattle on in their strange language, alternately breaking into girlish giggling. Jarkal smirked darkly at Roj as he resumed his place behind Veya and pulled her into his chest. The two women continued to jabber on, taking no notice of him. His crimson eyes were hard and focused, fixed on the other male. He rumbled out in Zandali, "If you even think about hurting that elf, or doing anything that would upset her, my woman will not be the only one out for your blood. Keep that in mind as you play your games."
Roj grinned jovially at the huge silver haired hunter, hiding his surprise at this troll's murderous protectiveness. "No worries there. I like this lady. My intentions are not what you think. Glad to know she has friends that watch out for her."
Jarkal narrowed his red eyes suspiciously. "Just what are your intentions, then?"
"She's an elf with a raptor. She caught my eye and we got to talking. I met her two hours ago. Nothing else to it." Roj replied in a placating manner, though he was getting sick of the parental act coming from this guy.
Jarkal curled his lip in warning, the glint of razor sharp canines making an appearance, but let it go for now and made no reply.
Roj changed the subject. "Though I must say it is a surprise to see a brother with an elf. Not something you see everyday, if ever."
Jark growled in response, "Veya is my wife, I will have no other. We are used to the nosiness and disapproval of those who like to make our business their own."
Roj heard the hard edge of warning in the other troll's tone and held up his hands in a peaceful placating gesture, but he couldn't mask his shock. Wife? "Hey, it's your life. You won't get any grief from this brother." Roj smirked, his eyes cutting back to the rogue that had so captured his interest today.
Jarkal did not miss the hungry look Roj shot Zahri and his protective instincts swelled. His visage became downright murderous, knowing the women weren't paying any apparent attention to their conversation. He sneered, "Remember what I said, brother."
The women stopped their prattle when they heard the low unmistakable tones of Zandali being exchanged between Roj and Jark. They burst out laughing. "Fair's fair, I suppose. Sorry guys, we were being rude." Veya apologized, patting her mate on the forearm. She quirked a brow at him when she saw the black look he was leveling at Roj. She sighed.
Everyone heartily agreed that dinner was a splendid idea and so they made their way over to the various food vendors. After making their selections of bread, cheese and beer the four of them found an empty table and promptly tucked into their meal. Zahri especially was starving and stuck her tongue out at Roj'kah when he teased her that quillboar had better manners when eating. He was still flirting with her and she found that she wanted him to continue.
"Hey! You're one to talk, you slob!" She laughed, leaning over with a napkin to press onto his shirt where he'd spilled beer. She froze when his eyes riveted to her mouth and he leaned over. For a second she thought he was going to kiss her, but then at the last second whispered in her ear.
"Ya bettah be careful, elf...dat pretty tongue gonna get ya in trouble."
Zahri gasped and leaned away, as if shocked he would even suggest such a thing and then smiled shyly, looking away, her eyes catching Veya's, who was trying mightily to look as if she were not gleefully transfixed by the proceedings. She sat perched daintily on Jarkal's knee, who looked decidedly unamused and rather terrifying in his disapproval. He noisily tore into a hunk of grainy bread, his eyes trained on Zahri. He looked about ready to subject her to an embarrassing inquisition, much the same way her parents would. She could just imagine him channeling her mother, saying something prim like, 'What ya be tinkin' girlie, draggin' dis ruffian home wit'cha! No, ya can't keep him, he'll gobble ya up in one bite!' Zahri rolled her eyes at the mental image of Jarkal lecturing her and wondered just what the hell his problem was. Roj beat the other troll to the punch by asking his own question.
"So tell meh how da two of ya ended up…togethah." He glanced pointedly between Veya and Jarkal.
Zahri felt like kissing the scruffy troll when he began to question Veya and Jarkal, effectively neutralizing the third degree. His timing had apparently saved her from the silver haired troll's lecture.
Jarkal glared at Roj for a moment and then reluctantly told the story of how he had nearly been killed by alliance and Veya and her friend had saved his life by showing up just in time to kill them. Veya had watched over him as he regained consciousness and then healed his life-threatening injuries. Jarkal grinned affectionately at Zahri then, warming to his tale.
Roj'kah let out a low whistle through his teeth, "Incredible."
"Zahri here threatened ta kick ma ass if I didn't go after Veya. She tol' me ta not give a shit what other folks say about us." He squeezed Veya affectionately.
"Well, really it was your father, Kredis, and Zahri who gave you that nudge." the petite elf looked up and kissed Jarkal's chin.
"Speakin' of Kredis, He should be here tomorrow…he be wantin' ta see ya, Zahri." Jarkal told her pointedly as he nuzzled the top of his mate's head. Veya shot him another warning glare.
"What? It be true. Dis be no big surprise. Ya elves always meeting up when dere be an opportunity. Kredis be telling me jus' last month dat he couldn't wait ta—"
Veya elbowed her mate and pulled his head down to her level by one of his tusks and hissed a whisper in his ear. Jark continued to scowl.
"Oh Great Sun, do I have to spell it out for him? He's a sweet guy, but why won't he take a hint?" she huffed, exasperated. Her glance cut briefly to Roj, noticing his expression was unreadable.
"I tink maybe he be takin' a hint now," Jarkal said into his beer, his stormy crimson eyes moving from Zahri and Roj'kah. Veya huffed at her mate and rolled her eyes. Zahri snorted, embarrassed by what Jarkal said and stood up. His brooding mother hen act was unnecessary. Everyone else followed suit, feeling drowsy and full.
"Guys, I am dead on my feet...and I still need to stable Ajia," she smiled warmly at Veya, and whispered, "Tell Jark to relax. Roj'kah is harmless. I think." The two women giggled. After bidding farewell to Zahri and the troll, Veya and Jarkal made their way into the city straight for the inn.
Now that they were alone, she felt her stomach flip at the way Roj was looking at her. She remembered thinking a while back when she had first seen Jarkal with Veya and how she had wondered what it felt like to have a man look at her like he was looking at her. Now she knew. And she liked it.
"Umm, I need to head to the stables...walk with me?" she asked shyly.
Roj gave her a lazy grin, but his eyes were intense. His large hand moved to the small of her back as they walked to retrieve Ajia. "It would be a pleasure to escort such a lovely lady."
They walked slowly through the impressive city of Orgrimmar, a sleepy Ajia following at their heels. The stars were out full force and the night was balmy with a pleasant breeze. Zahri was shocked with how comfortable she felt with the troll after only knowing him for a few hours...and especially after he had irritated her so much to begin with. She blushed thinking about how snippy she was with him when he had only been teasing her. He clearly had a sharp sense of humor which she liked immensely in a man and for the life of her she could not figure out how she could have ever found him irritating or arrogant.
"So where is your raptor? You do have one, don't you?" she teased coyly, pleased when she felt his hand tighten on her waist.
"Ya, I do...and he's already prolly asleep in da stables."
When they arrived at the large public stable, Zahri paid for a week of boarding and met Roj'kah out front after bidding a sleepy Ajia goodnight.
"I would like da honor of escorting da lady to da inn, if she would allow it." He did an exaggerated bow and offered his arm to the giggling elf.
"You really are a scoundrel, aren't you?" she groused good naturedly, leaning into his warmth as they walked. She sucked in a breath when she felt the low rumble of a growl come from his chest.
"Some tings bring out da scoundrel in me mo' dan otha tings." he rumbled playfully. He straightened a bit and cleared his throat and put some distance between himself and the elf. She looked at him questioningly.
"I gotta be careful, elf girl. Ya friend's mate seems to have da wrong idea about me."
"Oh really? What idea would that be, pray tell?"
"He tinks I'm playin' wit ya and told me that he'd be out fo' my blood if I made ya cry."
Zahri snorted and bumped her shoulder against his playfully. "Oh don't worry about Jark. He's just very protective over those he considers family. He's really a big softie." She looked up at him through a fringe of sooty lashes, almost in challenge.
Roj looked at her in surprise. "He considers ya family?"
"Well, yes. Veya is the closest thing to a sister I have ever had, so it makes sense that he would consider me a sister as well."
Roj whistled through his teeth in wonder. "So I wasn't hearin' things when he called dat leetle elf girl his wife, den."
Zahri squared her shoulders and jutted out her chin defiantly. "No you weren't. Got a problem with it?"
Roj laughed outright at her bristling posture. "Not at all, pretty girl. It's just something I've never seen before."
She softened and grinned at him, then pointed at him in mock severity. "Just behave yourself, you."
He adopted an expression of complete innocence. "I always behave."
She snorted a laugh and shook her head. "You are so full of it!"
The troll did not deny her accusation. He just laughed. The sound of it set loose those butterflies in her stomach.
Zahri shivered when they found themselves in the gloomy darkness of the drag, the air cooler here than anywhere else in the city. Roj'kah draped his outer shirt over her shoulders when he saw her chill. The look in her eyes when she looked up at him was all he could take. He'd been restraining himself from kissing her since he'd pinned her to the ground and he wasn't going to wait any longer, Jarkal could stuff it. He had no intention of causing this little bird any pain. He gently caressed her smooth cheek with the backs of his fingers. Her eyes dropped closed at his touch. His heart soared and he leaned down to claim her lips but she stopped him.
"Roj…I...I can't...,"she stammered, her expression pained. He thought he understood.
"I'm not gonna take nothin' from ya without permission, elf. But I gotta confess, I wanna kiss ya bad." he admitted with a silly grin, and then leaned down.
Moving his head ever so slowly toward hers, he could feel her breath come in quick gasps. He whispered, pleading in a playful sing-song, "Zaaaahriiiii...just one kiss...maybe two...or three..." She breathed a nervous giggle and nodded. He smirked, drawing her into his arms when her little hands clutched the front of his shirt and some of his dreadlocks in wordless acquiescence.
Zahri leaned into him and squeezed her eyes shut, hardly able to believe what was actually about to happen.
She was about to kiss a strange man in a dark alley. No, not a man. A troll. This only happened in the darkest caverns of her most secret fantasies. And it was about to become a reality.
She didn't do these types of things…kiss elves she'd just met. But this was different. He was not an elf.
He was not even freaking close to an elf!
This long hidden desire of wanting to see what would happen if she flirted with a troll was most vexing because she couldn't seem to stop herself now that the reality was upon her.
Suddenly she was quite vividly aware of a great mass of wild dreadlocks crowding her vision and senses because she currently held a handful of them in her fists as if her life depended on it.
Ohhh…he smelled of sandalwood, sweat and leather. Most becoming indeed.
She squeaked when he covered her mouth with his and ran his tongue over her lower lip, then gently sucked it, his teeth scraping the flesh slightly. Such sharp teeth! He was emboldened when she made a little noise in the back of her throat, insistently tugging and wrapping his hair around her little fists. If she had any idea what it was doing to him that she pulled on his dreads, she would likely let go of them as if they were poisonous snakes.
He wasn't about to enlighten her.
Before she knew what was happening, he was backing her into the cool stone wall while hungrily plucking at her mouth and making the most interesting sounds. She finally found her courage and released the death grip on his hair and let let her fingers make their way up, ghosting over his neck and moving over the sides of his face, combing them through the thick hair that grew along his sharp jawline. His knees nearly gave out.
He felt he could stand here and kiss her all night...her taste was heavenly, her lips so soft and yielding to his. Everything about her was small. He was overwhelmed by the size disparity between them but it only inflamed him further. Her voice utterly enchanted him. He could tell that she desired him as well, and he wanted nothing more than to carry her to the inn to his room and seduce her. It would be so easy, she was so yielding to his kiss, his touch. He was fairly certain he could talk her into going to bed with him...but he also knew that she wasn't ready. It wouldn't be right. It would cheapen their strange new acquaintance into something common. And it was anything but common. Her modest sensibilities would balk at moving so quickly, and somehow he thought he would be disappointed if she did give in. So he contented himself with kissing her senseless.
Zahri's explorations grew timid and Roj'kah's head swam as her heady fragrance coiled in his nose. She broke the kiss and burrowed into his chest, unconsciously wrapping a few ropey locks of his long hair back around her fists, a gesture that he interpreted to mean she was mightily overwhelmed. She trembled. He let his forehead land with a soft thunk on the wall, squeezing his eyes closed.
He pulled back from her and tucked a strand of her silky hair behind her ear. He dropped a chaste kiss on top of her head. "Ey girl, it's getting' pretty late...how about you tell me what inn ya be stayin' at before I toss ya ovah my shoulder and take ya where I be stayin'? I kinda wanna live to see anotha day and if I do what be in mah mind to do, ya friend's attack troll be comin' after me."
He gave her a mock imploring look and clasped his hands in front of his face and dropped to his knees before her as if begging for his life to an invisible attacker. "I tried ta do da honorable ting, but she can't keep her hands offa me!"
The joyful tones of her laughter broke the tension of the moment. She stepped aside from him slightly, her face flushed and her eyes wide. "I'm staying at the inn near the trade district." she said quietly, ducking her head demurely.
It took quite a long time to reach their destination, in fact, but she found she didn't care in the slightest. They'd talked about everything: beer, raptors, and even weapons. Zahri enjoyed meandering slowly down the drag with Roj, talking to him and laughing at his silliness, making each other crack up at each other's stupid jokes and attempts to better the other with words.
Much later, Zahri was laying in bed, thinking about the events of the day and how much she had enjoyed spending time with the charming warrior. He was so different from every other man she'd ever known. She marveled that he did not pressure her to go to bed with him, even though she knew he wanted to. He didn't even steal a kiss from her...he asked her permission. And when they had finally made it to the inn where she was staying, she found that she did not want him to leave. But he had given her a light kiss on her forehead, making her giggle when one fearsome looking tusk caught in her hair. He'd whispered good night, and left. She touched her lips, still feeling his kiss. She shivered deliciously, looking forward to seeing him again. She finally drifted off to sleep, a smile on her face.