“I have a better idea,” he continued. “Once we arrive on the island, I’ll arrest you, put you in manacles, and tell the Blood Guard officers waiting in port that I have orders to bring you to the Good Commander alive.”
“And then you’ll refuse to unlock the manacles andactuallyhand me over.” Rune sipped her wine, avoiding his gaze. “No, thank you.”
Her attention suddenly collided with the police officer from Caelis. The one who’d shamelessly ogled her in their cabin. He was taking his seat at a table portside, staring at Rune while he lowered himself into a chair.
Goose bumps erupted over her skin.
Why is he still on the ship?
Before she panicked, Gideon pressed his knees against hers beneath the table. She glanced up to find him glowering at theofficer. Gideon didn’t seem surprised to see him, almost as if he knew the man had remained onboard after they disembarked.
“Speaking of trusting each other…” Gideon reached for a loose strand of Rune’s hair. Twirling it around his finger, he tucked it securely behind her ear. It was so gentle, so sweet, Rune almost forgot how dangerous he was. Almost forgot they were being watched.
She had the strangest urge to lean her cheek into his palm.
Blaming it on the wine, Rune dragged her eyes back to his.
“If I’m going to defy my orders,” he said, “and smuggle a condemned criminal into the Republic, I need to be sure you’re not helping Cressida from the inside. Tell me what your plans are.”
Rune shook her head. “That wasn’t our deal.”
“Neither was this,” he said, placing his hand on her knee beneath the table. “I didn’t sign up to be your pretend husband.”
“No,” she said bitterly. “We both know how much you loathe that prospect.”
Again, something dark flooded Gideon’s face. As if taking her words as a challenge, he reached his other hand beneath the table and hooked them both under her knees, pulling her toward him, stopping only when she was nestled securely between his legs. Rune gripped the edge of her seat to stop from being pulled under completely.
What is he doing?
His hands were so big, he could almost close one around each leg. A reminder of how easily he could overcome her.
“How about a trade?” he said. “I’ll get you past the witch-hunting houndsifyou tell me your plans.”
“You already promised to get me past the hounds.”
“That was before your little newlywed trick. I’m rethinking my offer.”
Before Rune could rail against the injustice, he cupped herlegs above the knees. The warmth of his palms penetrated her dress, seeping into her skin. Rune’s grip tightened on her seat as his thumbs stroked her. Tenderly, and a little possessively.
Her heart sped up.
This is fake,she told herself. He’s trying to lower my defenses.
He made no move to release her, and Rune made no move to force him.
Instead, she studied the stern lines of his face. He was inscrutable, this man. Probably plotting her downfall.
But if he was, what would make him change his mind?
Rune knew his suspicion of her was fair. Gideon had no reason to trust her. Not after she’d deceived him. Not after she’d aided Cressida, both wittingly and unwittingly.
Keeping her plans secret would deepen his suspicions.
Could she tell him just enough to make him trust her?
If he trusted her, he’d have no reason to betray her.
“You told me there’s a missing Roseblood heir,” she said, a little breathless from his stroking hands. “If that’s true, I… I’m going to find them. All I want is a chance to warn them of Cressida’s plans.”And get them as far away from her as possible.
