Shall I bank and tilt her back into you more?
No. Just… take us to her aunt’s farm. She’ll need more time.
The more time this takes, the more dragons your brother may send at you—at us. So that you and the princess maybondover shared struggles and adversity.
Vorik grimaced, remembering Jhiton speaking of exactly that. Would the attacks come daily? More often?
“You don’t seem that quirky,” Vorik offered and brushed his fingers along the side of her neck.
Justin case she turned out to be more receptive than he suspected she would.
Syla didn’t pull away from him but didn’t lean back either.
Would the seeing device be required during mating?Agrevlari wondered.
I’m sure she doesn’t need to wear her spectacles in bed. It’s not like you need to see anything during sex.
I am certain I do not know orwishto know the particulars of the mechanics of human intercourse.
Well, the eyeballs aren’t usually involved. The mouth maybe.Vorik smirked.
You are imagining things I donotdesire to see.
If you’re seeing what I’m envisioning, that’s what you get for peering into my thoughts.
Through our link, it is sometimes difficultnotto be aware of your thoughts.
Sorry. I’ll try to keep my imaginings involving… mouths to myself.
“I do not trust you, Vorik,” Syla stated, looking forward instead of back at him.
“You’re wise not to,” he offered, not offended.
He was a little amazed she was speaking to him at all and brushed her neck again. To be agreeable and let her know… oh, he didn’t know. That if she changed her mind about being interested, he wouldalsobe interested?
The mission and his brother’s plans lurked in the back of his mind.
Vorik sighed, regretting that he had to be anything other than honorable with Syla, but… his people had worked so long for their chance to gain access to these islands. And he’d sworn his oath to the Storm Guard and the Sixteen Talons long ago. He wouldn’t allow himself to do anything but obey his commander’s orders to the best of his abilities.
As Agrevlari banked, flying over a patch of cultivated land divided by irrigation canals, the wind tugged a lock of Syla’s hair free from the frame of her spectacles. Vorik caught it lest it tickle his nose, and his fingers brushed the side of her jaw as he attempted to tuck it back in.
She twisted to look back at him, and he lowered his hand, certain she would let him know she was irritated with all his unnecessarytouching.
“Your hair is wayward,” he informed her.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she regarded him. With suspicion?
“Yousmell like blackberries,” she said. “Did you smear them on your clothes instead of eating them?”
He almost laughed. When daylight had arrived, he’d noticed the stains the smashed berries had granted his tunic. Fortunately, riders wore dark clothing, so they wouldn’t be that noticeable.What kind of warrior flew into battle with purple blotches all over his shirt?
“I told you I’d collect some for the cobbler. More than the handfuls I gathered earlier. I may have gotten enthusiastic with my gathering.” He didn’t mention that she’d crushed his pockets when he’d caught her.
“I can’t believe half the Royal Protectors were searching for you, and you were foraging for berries.”
“It was only a few men, and I evaded them easily before leaving the tunnels. Onlythendid I forage.” Vorik cocked his head, reminded that it had been her bodyguard who’d told the troops about him. Syla hadn’t mentioned him at all. “You’re not the one who sent them after me, are you?” he asked quietly, though he already knew the answer.
She shrugged, a troubled crease finding her brow, and looked forward again. Maybe she felt sheshouldhave sent them?
