Ashared took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her. When she sent him a questioning look, he said, “Play with me, Lannahi.”
She unfolded the roll and started reading.
Luster. After each round, the winner rolls the dice, and the loser performs the action associated with the result. When in doubt, the winner presents their vision of events and if the loser wants to modify it, they negotiate.
Underneath was a list explaining what the number of pips meant.
1 You kiss me. You can use only your lips.
2 You kiss me. You have to use your tongue.
3 You caress me with your hands.
4 You caress me with your mouth.
5 We start making love. You are on top.
6 We start making love. You are on bottom.
As Lannahi read, her pulse quickened, and heat spread through her body. She swallowed. Luster was a card game which outcome depended on luck and reflex. The chances of winning were more or less equal for both players.
The loser can refuse to perform the action but must console the winner with a view. The winner determines what they wish to see.
The winner cannot refuse the prize but can negotiate a change for another.
Though the shapeshifter’s senses probably told him what her body truly thought of his idea, Ashared asked, “What do you say, Lannahi?”
No. She should not. Ashared was Mahrur’s nephew. Lizaar’s cousin. That complicated everything. Feelings complicated everything.
She didn’t need complications. Not now.
Such thoughts swirled in her head but when their eyes met, the heat of his gaze melted her doubts and turned them into the sweet nectar of excitement.
“Let’s play.”
For a fraction of a second, he seemed surprised as if some part of him was prepared to hear a rejection, but after a moment, a brilliant smile broke across his face. Lannahi couldn’t help but to match it.
“I suggest we move to somewhere more private,” he said. “When I passed Esau and Ledaii, they looked as if they were about to abandon their post.”
She laughed. When he extended his hand toward her, she took it. “We can play in my chamber, but I was planning on taking a bath. Can we postpone the game for an hour?”
The suggestion that he could accompany her to the bathchamber was written so clearly on Ashared’s face that Lannahi couldn’t hold back an amused smile.
The man smiled back, defeated.
“Until then.”
Chapter 23
Lannahi didn’t need an hour to take a bath. She needed a half of that hour to choose an outfit. Since the landshapers accounted the enchanters tricky witches who manipulated opponents not only with magic but also with their bodies, she typically wore conservative pants and dresses, trying to look more regal than feminine, but now… now shewantedto seduce and tempt.
“I see through your tactics, Lannahi,” Ashared said, running his gaze over her red gown with the corset accentuating her figure. His tone was light, but his eyes lit with a predatory glint. “You are trying to distract me to claim all the prizes.”
She smiled innocently. “How could I have such an indecent goal?”
The man chuckled and approached the table. On top, she prepared the dice and cards for the game and two goblets with a pitcher of nectar.
“Thirsty?” Lannahi asked politely, gesturing toward the golden drink.
