Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115347 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115347 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Micah sat straighter, no doubt preparing to probe for details about the death of Kaysar’s parents.
Viori rushed to shut him down. “Don’t forget your agreement. The interrogation ended the moment I answered your most important questions, remember?”
“This interrogation ended.” His eyelids slitted. Considering another negotiation to kick off a second interrogation? Well, too bad. The more she shared with him, the more precarious her circumstances. If he lost faith in her and expelled her from his camp...
Unacceptable! Time to unsheathe the biggest sword in her arsenal. Sadness. “I’ve endured enough for one day, yes? Awakening. Gaining my freedom. Capture by a pitiless king with either a poor memory or a dishonest tongue.”
Despite the insult lobbed his way, his features softened. “Very well,” he said and sighed. “We’ll stop. For now. I won’t launch the next interrogation immediately after the last.”
Tricky king. Must remain on guard.
He stood and crossed to the other side of the dwelling, where he gathered a towel and a nightgown. To her bafflement, he returned to drop the items beside the tub.
She frowned. “You tend to me?” Bitterness prompted her to add, “What, are there no other females nearby?”
“I could have another if I wanted one.” He said no more, instead turning his back—but not before she witnessed the return of his tension. Wait. He had turned his back. Had willingly put himself in a position of vulnerability. With her, a stranger. Not a common practice for any soldier of war, especially a royal.
Confusion swamped her, the bitterness retreating. Why treat her as a trusted ally? Even a childhood pet could bite its owner when cornered. “I don’t understand,” she admitted softly.
“You’ve soaked long enough,” he rasped. “Dry and dress.”
Ahhhh. The crux of the situation crystallized, and her hackles rose all over again. Once she donned the scanty gown, he planned to toss her into bed. Or perhaps he merely used the garment as bait, thinking to strike before she dressed. “If you think to have me without a fight, you’re a fool. You’ll have to beat me first!”
He gave another sigh. “You are clean. The water is freezing. I do not wish you to suffer needlessly.”
Did she detect a hint of exasperation in his tone? Better question: Did she dare believe his claim? “How magnanimous of you,” she muttered.
Viori sprang to her feet, ready to claw if he made a single move in her direction. He didn’t budge as water sloshed over the sides of the copper tub, pooling on the hard, packed earth. Keeping her eyes on him, she stripped from her sodden clothing and grabbed the towel, clutching the material to her damp body. Though she stood still, her heart raced. If he rotated the slightest degree...
But he didn’t. Could he be trusted?
Who was she kidding? Trust someone only if you desired betrayal.
“Use me to balance if you must,” he said, his voice little more than a growl.
He was angry now? Why?
As hastily as possible, she stepped from the water, wiped the moisture from her skin, and tugged the nightgown overhead—without using him for balance, thank you. A moan slipped out as the material settled in place. Good gracious! By far the softest thing she’d ever had the privilege of wearing...and as transparent as her soaked gown.
Despite her noises, Micah maintained his position. She announced, “All done.”
Still, he didn’t turn. Instead, he removed and stored his weapons, then strode to the furs, kicked off his boots, and stretched out, getting comfortable. Never saying another word. He closed his eyes, making himself vulnerable to her yet again. But...
“You’re going to rest?” she gasped. “Now?”
“Not if you continue shrieking like that,” he murmured, never cracking open his eyes.
Shrieking? She sputtered. “Are you a fool? Be honest. I mean, what if I came here to cut out your internal organs while you sleep?”
“I’ll grow new ones,” he told her, as confident as he was commanding. “Like you, I’ve endured enough for one day. Settle in and hush.”
Settle in? Settle in! Hush? “I’ll do nothing of the sort.” As if such a thing were even possible.
“You will. Because your king commands it. And I am your king, Vee. By your own agreement—no, by your own insistence—you fall under my protection. You need me, but I do not need you.”
Her king? Hardly. And oh, how the crack about their needs—or lack thereof—burned. But she had a role to play, did she not? Viori grumbled, “I’m not tired.” Of course, at that precise moment, a yawn nearly cracked her jaw.
So, she might be a little tired. But only a little! Thanks to her centuries-long slumber, she lacked stamina.
“Settle. In. And. Rest,” he grated.
His voice. A cascade of shivers started at her nape and ended in her toes, leaving tingling heat in its wake. A heaviness followed, infiltrating forgotten muscles, as if preparing her body to obey. As if...no. No way he could compel the actions of others with his words, the way Kaysar did.