to keep him at the table.

At the draw of the cards, the dealer exceeded twenty, and Leesil won again.

The house should win Two Kings at least two thirds of the time. If someone became suspicious, who would they point to first—an old-world lady or a half-blood outside his place?

Leesil stood and gathered his coins. "Well, I'm off to supper."

Several gentlemen looked openly relieved, and the one who'd offered him a chair gave a polite nod of farewell. Madame Lenska frowned.

"So soon? But you've only just started. Let me buy you another goblet."

The server walked over with the wine he'd ordered, and he quickly paid for it himself.

"You're most kind," he said for the second time. "But I've won a few coins and need to refresh before continuing."

With a slight bow, Leesil left the room carrying his goblet.

An entryway guard gave him an appraising look but no more. Entering the dining chamber, Leesil watched lavish trays of seafood and roasted birds sweep by in the servers' hands, and he realized even his winnings might not cover the price of a meal. Several polished stools by the room's bar were empty, so he perched to watch the people as he sipped his wine.

Then she walked in.

Leesil was certainly light-headed now, but his vision was still clear, and the flash of lavender silk burst through the archway without warning. He spared little attention for rich, useless women, and only Magiere filled his heart, but he couldn't help staring.

The low-cut neckline exposed mounds of creamy, pale bosom pushing up from a tight bodice. Ringlets of perfectly curled hair hung across her shoulders and back, and her neck and fingers shimmered in jewels. Like the game room, she was an infectious sight. With eagerness in her eyes, she looked about. Then she noticed his attention and smiled.

Leesil grew mildly uncomfortable. He returned a polite smile and spun around to face the bar. As light steps approached from behind, she floated up beside him.

"Have we met before, sir?" she said. Her gazed moved almost hungrily over his face. "You look very familiar to me."

He raised one eyebrow. "I don't think so. I believe I would remember you, miss."

"Was that a compliment?" She tilted her head slightly. "May I join you? I'm without an escort at the moment and would be so much more at ease in good company."

His guarded surprise increased but so did his reluctance. He didn't wish to encourage her. Neither did he wish to be rude and attract further attention.

"Please," he said finally, and gestured to the stool on his far side.

"Wouldn't this be more splendid?" She raised one hand toward an empty table nearby with a coy drop of her lashes.

As Leesil stood up, he noticed her eyes resting on his half-open shirt, across his collarbone and chest. Again, he wondered how to politely escape the situation as they settled at the table.

"I'm Sapphire," she said, with a touch of fingertips to her throat.

"Leesil," he replied.

"Are you just visiting Bela?" she asked.

"Yes, on business," he answered shortly. After a moment's silence, he cleared his throat. "And you?"

"Oh, no. I have a lovely three-story home in the city. For anyone interested in real society, I think Bela is the only place to live."

He nodded politely.

"Your eyes—so unusual," she said. "Where are you from?"

"I don't know." He hesitated, then added, "My mother was elven."

"An elf?" she replied with interest. "Ah, but I think your father was human, yes? You're half-elven?"

"Yes," he answered flatly. "I'm a half-blood."

"Oh, I didn't mean that. It's just… I've heard elves live a very long time. That their life force is much stronger than humans. Is that true?"

For the first time, he smiled. "Where'd you hear such a thing?"

She laughed, but it was forced, as if she were embarrassed by her own bluntness. "If all half-elves look like you, I should be glad to meet more of them."

The second those words left her mouth, Leesil tensed in his chair.

"Well, thank you," he said. "But if you're a wealthy man's daughter or wife looking for a unique diversion, I don't think I'm your man."

He stood up, took his goblet, walked toward the game room, and didn't bother looking back to see her expression.

The game room was hectic, but it didn't take long to find a seat at an empty table. He settled to sip his wine and watch the faro game.

Another flash of lavender caught his eye. Sapphire had followed him.

He began to stand, but she stopped him with a delicate