Page 36 of Sword & Shadow
Her rosy lips pursed with sarcasm. “My heart aches at your rejection.”
He motioned toward Ethenn. “And here I thought I was the object of your affection.”
Languidly, Ilain stretched out her legs, crossing them demurely at the ankles. She wore a contemplative expression as she eyed him. “Don’t be too heartbroken. It takes a certain finesse to hold a flame.”
The admission made Thom’s mouth drop open in surprise. “You like the kid?” He scoffed. “What a future that would be. You’d burn him up in ten seconds flat.”
“Why do you think I’ve chosen to flirt withyou?”
“Wait—what?”
Ilain rolled her eyes. “You don’t think I’m foolish enough to intentionally seek out the company of a man who’s not wise enough to recognize my worth, do you?”
His face scrunched in confusion. “You’ve been flirting with me to make him jealous?”
“Not at all,” she said with a huff. “I’ve been flirting with you because I’m trying to dissuade him, and you don’t pose a threat.”
“Dissuade him? I thought you liked him.”
“I’m attracted to him. There’s a difference. But hedoeslike me, and I don’t care to hurt his feelings.”
“Whatdoyou care to do to him?” Thom couldn’t help teasing her. He enjoyed the way it made her eyes narrow and her jaw twitch.
Ilain set her sketchbook to the side. “Even your indelicate mind couldn’t handle my aspirations.”
“Can’t say I’m not intrigued.”
“I’m afraid you’ll remain unsatisfied.”
“You’re awfully good at this.”
“At what?”
“Baiting a man.”
She smiled, cunning and arrogant. “You spend thirty-two years in an Order with tedious Mages twice your age, and you’d find yourself rather excited at the attention of handsome young suitors too.”
Thom’s expression fell into shock. “You’re thirty-two?” He’d pegged her for being closer to his sister Meria’s age at twenty-five.
“I spent thirty-two years in the Order,” Ilain corrected. “I lived at home a decade before that.”
Thom gaped at her.
She smirked. “Magic has its benefits.”
“Almighty,” he mumbled. “I’m flirting with a woman fifteen years my senior.”
Her copper brows lifted in delight. “You’ve decided to return my coquetry?”
“What’s life without playful banter with a pretty woman?”
She set a hand to her chest, mockingly coy. “You find me pretty?”
Thom raised his brow. “Why didn’t you tell me of your disinterest in the first place? I would have happily assisted your discouragement of Loxley from the start.”
“Hm.” Ilain considered him. “I suppose I could use some assistance. He doesn’t seem to be getting the idea.”
“You’re not doing a very good job rejecting him.”
