Lina followed Sylphiel to the dinning area. The poor halfbreed doubled back to Lina's room when she realized that, in her excitement, she had forgotten she was supposed to show Lina the way.
Lina sipped from her soup spoon, carefully eyeing Zelgadis from across the dinning table. He gave her no longing stares or quickly-hidden stolen looks.
What is the matter with this guy!? Lina tore at her bread.
Zelgadis simply paid attention to his meal. "Is something the matter, Lina?"
"No, my lord."
Zelgadis gave her a suspicious look that disappeared as soon as it had come. But not before Lina's keen eyes caught it.
Finally! She had caught his attention! Now if she could just figure out a way to keep it, she would be on her way to wrapping him around her finger.
But, strange... He didn't follow up on his curiosities... He didn't ask about her little lie. He instead, continued back to his soup. Pondering the issue to himself to deal with later, no doubt. Oh, he was a patient one! Lina unknowingly smiled to herself.
"What is it, Lina?" Zelgadis stopped, mid-spoon-lifing.
Lina blinked. Had she really been holding her chin, elbow on the table, staring at Zelgadis?! And smiling to boot?! She instinctively whipped her face to the side, a heat rising in her cheeks. Out of her perifery vision, Zelgadis was smiling, watching her. Lina cursed to herself. On the good side, she was learning even more what caught this man's attention. On the bad side, what did the trick was him catching her off guard. Damn him!
Lina bit down on her teeth in frustration, never breaking her plastered complacent smile. Of course, Zelgadis smiled at this.
"That's checkmate, Lina. Would you like to play again?"
Why can't I read his moves!? she internally screamed. "Only if it pleases you, My Lord."
"I think I would like a re-match." Zel smirked. Could he see past her contented smile?
Lina blinked, then set up the board again. No sooner had she done so, that he had cornered her on the board again. Lina hid another scowl with a placid smile.
"You don't have to pretend, Lina." Zel moved his king forward.
"What do you mean, my Lord?" Lina moved away her queen.
"You're facade isn't perfect." Zel moved his king closer.
Alright, Lina. He doesn't want to mess around. Lina moved some pawns to guard her king. And honestly, neither do I. Keeping her hand on her pawn, she put it back, and instead, moved her queen to a menacing position. "Oh, really, Zelgadis? What do you think you've seen through this facade?" Lina challenged, careful not to state it herself.
The intelligent things you have to say, the way you refuse to act shy and accomodating like most concubines, how you keep a straight face and hold up your head past the gossiping elven wives... "Your sigh on the balcony." Zel took Lina's queen with a piece she hadn't noticed before.
Lina stared in shock. "achem It seems, Zelgadis," Lina took his king in a swift movement, "that to capture my queen, you have left your king wide open."
He twisted her queen between his fingers. "All worthwhile things have risks."
"Then you're a fool. Because it's my checkmate."
"But what do you want to do after the game?"
"Hmph." Lina looked away. "You said you already knew sooo much about me."
"Hmmm." Zel hid a triumphant smile behind years of reserve and a folded hand. "I was talking about our chess game."
"So was I." Lina said curtly. She looked him square in the eyes with anger. "My Lord."
Zel got up and looked over the balcony, on which their table sat. Lina stayed seated, watching him.
"Lina, I'm sure you've noticed that things are different on the Greywiers Estate."
Lina thought back to her ride through the Greywiers holdings, and what she had seen as she was taken to the manor. There wasn't a single cruel taskmaster constantly harassing the human slaves. Not to mention that she almost didn't recognize the human living quarters, they were so reasonable. From cleaning drudges to fighters, human slaves on the Greywiers Estate were much better treated than those belonging to other elvenlords.
"I just want you to know," Zel continued, "that the same applies to you. I may have bought you from Lord Dyran as a concubine, but you don't have to - "
Was he blushing? Lina leaned slightly to make sure.
" - You don't have to be with me, unless...unless you really want to."
By god, he was stuttering too? Then he was being truthful. Of course, since he was already in love with her, this was a perfect opportunity. Lina stood up and walked over to stand inches in front of Zelgadis. "But, my Lord," she played with his jacket lapels, her head shyly bowed just as his was. "I want to." Leaning up, she tried to kiss him.
Zel placed a finger to her lips. "Not now, Lina. Not yet."
Lina feigned a dissappointed, but patient expression.
Zel frowned. "Definitely not yet." He walked away, leaving Lina simmering.
Damn him! Seeing through everything! Lina twitched with anger. But he did see through everything, didn't he? Maybe what he saw passed my facades, he really did like?... Lina shook her head. What am I thinking?! Him being able to see through my acts, just proves how good he must be at them too. He's probably trying to make me drop my guards and really fall for him, just so he'll have a willing consort, and won't have to worry about me planning against him. Or maybe he wants me to give him halfbloods to use against his enemies. Then he'll get rid of me as soon as my birthing years are through. Lina sat again before the chess board. Leaning her chin on a propped up forearm, she began scheming. But still, if he really is in love with me, Lina smirked, remembering him blush and stutter, then if I make him think I reciprocate his feelings, then he'll leave himself wide open. Hmmm...I'll have to change tactics for him...
Lina kept thinking back to his offer as she positioned some locks of hair over the robe she wore. If he really was giving her the option of not sleeping with him, then she wouldn't have to give herself up anymore. If he wanted her to just be, then maybe she could finally relax. Lina sighed. That would be nice. She stared away from the vanity she sat at.
She stood up straight and examined her reflection. More likely than not, this was all just a game he was playing with her head. And she would have to sink her claws into his first, if she wanted to win. With that, she headed for Zelgadis's bedroom.