And...more samples...

"Good-bye, Rhia."
"Kalvin, wait...please."
"I'm sorry. I have to."
"Please, don't go."
He reached a hand out to touch her hair, faint, empty smile on his face. "I have no choice. Not if I don't want to hurt you."
"But I don't understand. How could you hurt me? What could you do?"
"A lot, Rhia. Trust me."
He dropped his hand and turned to go.
"What did I do? I promise never to do it again, just please don't leave me. I don't want to be alone, I just found you."
He turned back, but kept his distance. "You won't be alone. You'll have Romeo."
"But that's not the same. I want you, Kalvin..."
"PLease, Rhia. Just let me leave."
"Will I ever see you again if you leave?"
"I don't know. I'm sure you will."
"But when?"
"I don't know, okay?"
"No, it's not okay." She went to him, hands taking hold of his sleeves, ahnging on him like a child. "I won't let you go, Kalvin, I won't."
"Rhia..." He tried to pull away, but she held fast to him. His heart ached to see those eyes. He didn't want to go. He wanted to do anything but go, but he knew what would happen if he stayed.
"Please, Kalvin..." She pulled back on his sleeves, drawing him away from the door. He couldn't take it anymore; if she wanted to know what would hurt her, he'd show her. He pushed her back against the wall and pressed a deep kiss to unwilling lips. Just as she started to pull back, he turned away from her, leaving before she could fully recover.

"Rhayvin, I need to ask you a favor."
"Alright, Rhia."
She watched him a moment, then took a slow breath. "I want to spend this last night with Romeo. I may never see him again."
He regarded her for a time, before nodding. "Alright. I'll see you in the morning."
She smiled, leaning over to kiss his cheek. "Thank-you." With that, she hurried out of the room and headed for Romeo's chambers.
He was there, waiting for her. She went and sat across from him. She couldn't explain it, but she felt nervous, as if she were doing something she wasn't supposed to.
"Tea?"
She glanced up at him and smiled. "Yes, please."
They talked, for a time. When it grew cold, she slid over close to him. Habit, she supposed. He'd been her guardian for so long, it only seemed natural.
But he wasn't her guardian any longer, and that changed things. He slid his arms around her and pulled her close. She smiled, memories making the situation quite comfortable. By the time his lips met hers, she'd lost any inkling of control over herself, all thoughts of Rhayvin fleeing her mind. By then, she only wanted Romeo.

He glanced into the back of the truck as he drove. Still there, sleeping. She looked like an angel; a fallen angel, maybe, but still an angel. The scars that covered her skin didn't seem to mar her beauty, or perhaps he just couldn't fathom what she looked like without them. He'd come across her while fishing. She'd taken refuge in his lodge by the lake, and he'd found her there, asleep. Or maybe unconscious. She smelled of blood, but there were no cuts or scratches on her. He guessed she was a hunter, due to the guns he'd found on her along with the dried blood on her hands. However, her clothes didn't exactly fit that theory. She was dressed like a city-goer, trench coat and all. Nevertheless, he'd laid her down in the back seat of his truck, and was now taking her home. His wife would know what to do. He glanced back again, and had to do a doubletake. Gone? Where could she have- He felt something cold and sharp press against his neck.
"Who are you? Where are you taking me?"
Her voice...it was like silk. Smooth and rich. He swallowed, suddenly nervous. "My name is Thomas Cleaver. I'm taking you to my home. I thought you were hurt; you wouldn't wake up when I tried to rouse you."
"Stop the truck; let me out."
He glanced into the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were crimson; he'd never seen eyes like that before. "At least eat with us. My wife has been lonely. If you're in trouble...I won't call the police unless you want me to. Please."
She was quiet as he pulled over to the side of the road. He watched, hoping that she'd reconsider. It wasn't until just then that he realized his wife may not appreciate his bringing home such a beautiful and obviously troubled woman, but the doubt lasted only a moment.
"Alright. But on one condition." The knife was pulled away from his neck, and he took a deep, relieved breath. His eyes caught the motion of her transfer to the front seat. What might normally be a very awkward and clumbsy series of movements for most people, this woman did with the utmost grace.
"And what is that?"
"No questions."
Their eyes met for the first time directly, and Thomas found himself blushing. Not because of embarrassment, but because of the feeling of how unworthy he was to be in her presence. "Just one?" It was said carefuly, he afraid that if he said the wrong thing it might cause her to bolt from the car.
"Just one, though I do not gurantee an answer."
"What is your name?"
She seemed thoughtful for a moment. She sat back properly in the chair and looked forward. Her eyes seemed to gaze for miles, seeing everything at once, as though she'd seen it all before. He was getting the feeling that that might not be far from the truth. Finally, after careful thought and deliberation, that silky smoothe voice filled the still air again. "Rhia."

Rhia stood amid her company on the battlefield. It was still hard for her to believe she'd been made an officer upon joining the cause. Even more unbelievable was that she'd been given men to command. And they listened! She had respect, and from elves.
"Lady Captain!"
Rhia turned her gaze to the runner approaching them. She held her hand out for the message tube. One of her men gave a couple of coines to the runner, as was custom in respect for the boy's dangerous job. She unrolled the message and quickly looked it over.
"What does it say, Rhia?"
She looked up, somewhat amused to find all of the young men and women gathered around her. They were anxious to fight again, as they'd done twice before. Their eagerness told Rhia they'd hardly seen battle at all just yet. "The dragons have taken to the sky. Twelve are in flight, and about three hundred are on foot."
"So many!" someone exclaimed.
"Yes. It appears the remains of their eastern front have combined for a full-frontal assault."
"But we're only one hundred strong! We'll be wiped out!"
"Our general is aware, which is why our neighboring companies will be joining us." She smiled reassuringly to those around her. "Don't worry. We won't be alone in this fight."
The soldiers seemed to relax, and Rhia suggested they all get some rest and a meal to prepare for the battle guranteed to start by morning. Finally, some action. Rhia could hardly wait.

The soft red glow was all that could be seen within the dark alcove. Unbeknownst to the man approaching, a pair of crimson eyes watched his every move from behind the cigarette. The smoke was hardly noticeable, as the air of the tavern was full of it. The man, a human, she mused, no older than a tender twenty-three, came to stand before the table behind which Rhia sat. His features were fair, soft, wavy black hair and blue eyes. They looked hungry. She kept her feet propped up on the chair across from her, making no move to invite him to sit with her. She lifted a slender hand to pull the cigarette from her lips. Smoke flew from them in a steady stream, licking her lips afterwards. She studied him a moment more, then spoke.
"What is it you want here, boy?" She couldn't help but grin. These humans; they were so much like children; pets. Their eagerness, she also found, was quite satisfying, so his answer indeed spiked her interests...
"The word is, you'd like some...company during your stay."
...not that she'd show it. That red glow would greet him once more, followed by a trail of smoke. "And why should I want your company, human?"
He didn't squirm or even hesitate. That impressed her. Then again, maybe he was jsut arrogant, in which case she wasn't. "I can make it worth your while."
Now that was interesting. And this time she let him know it. By now his eyes had adjusted, and she motioned for him to join her. He moved around the table and sat beside her on the bench against the back wall. "You have my attention."
"I know where you can find Lyason."
Her eyes widened, but only for a moment. "It's room 35." The cigarette was replaced between her lips and he left.