Lesva snorted. “No, sir. I’ve seen the same pictures. She’s chubby and soft and probably blind, or close to it, without those weird things on her face.” She waved to her eyes. “She would be easy to kill anytime.”
No dragon riders, and very few stormers, had poor vision, so Vorik didn’t know much about what the spectacles implied, but the princess certainly hadn’t had the mien of a warrior. He wouldn’t have called herchubbythough. Voluptuous, maybe. She had the kind of curves that a man would enjoy exploring.
“I could go kill her tonight.” Lesva leaned forward. Eager for the assignment, was she? “That would bring my kills ofMoonmarks up to three. More than anyone else.” She shot a look of superiority at Vorik.
Jhiton, gazing toward the mainland, didn’t respond to the captain’s offer. “As a direct descendant of the throne, however low she was in her family hierarchy, it’s likely she knows the locations of the rest of the shielders.”
Lesva blinked. “Oh, do you want her captured? To interrogate? I could get that information out of her without trouble.” She flexed her hands in the air, as if demonstrating strangling.
Apparently,shehad no qualms about killing—or torturing—a weak opponent. Vorik knew from experience that Lesva liked to challenge herself with duels and athletic competitions against strong adversaries, but she’d never been that bogged down by the need to be honorable. In some of the stormer tribes, that was more ingrained in the psyches of its members than in others.
“Those with the magic of the moon-mark,” Jhiton said, “are as susceptible to pain as anyone, but they can supposedly use their power to lock off their minds and keep from uttering truths when under duress. Reputedly, moon-mark healers even have some power to control the minds of others. Of course, that’s supposed to be only those they’ve healed, but I’ve heard tales of themhealingsomeone who didn’t wish it and didn’t have significant injury, and then gaining sway over them.”
“Like when we were young and that spy got information from one ofourpeople?” Vorik asked.
Jhiton nodded. “Exactly like that. I’m surprised you were old enough to remember, but the healer treated our chieftess after a battle, and then she, for weeks afterward, wanted to be with him. Topleasehim. In bed and elsewhere. Even though she had a mate back home.”
“It would be easy enough to keep a soft princess from using her magic on me.” Captain Lesva patted her sheathed sword.
Jhiton’s thoughtful gaze swung toward Vorik. “I believe… I have another idea.”
Vorik raised his eyebrows.
“Captain Lesva,” Jhiton said, “I do not want the princess slain at this time. You did excellent work today, though, and I’m making note of your dedication to your duty. The Storm Guard and Sixteen Talons will combine to host a great celebration once we finish here and return to the caves. For now, you’re dismissed.”
Lesva opened her mouth, as if she might object, or request again to add a third Moonmark kill to her list, but Jhiton’s eyes closed to slits in a silent warning. He was a powerful warrior, and Lesva had never challenged him in practice or in truth. Vorik, who’d sparred often with his brother, wouldn’t have challenged him either. Even among the sometimes-reckless riders, few were that suicidal.
“Yes, sir.” Lesva bowed to Jhiton, then headed toward her dragon, managing to pick a path that let her swat Vorik on the butt in passing. The smile she gave him before mounting managed to be superior, snarky, and inviting all at once.
“Guess that answers my question about if she still wants to have sex,” Vorik muttered.
“A brazen woman,” Jhiton stated as Lesva flew off.
Despite the somewhat approving tone accompanying his words, he didn’t gaze after her or appear sexually interested. As far as Vorik knew, his brother hadn’t taken another lover since he and his previous life mate had parted after their son’s death.
“She is that,” was all Vorik said. “What’s your plan?”
“Youare my plan.”
“I know you don’t wantmeto capture and interrogate the princess.”
Actually, Vorikdidn’tknow that, but he’d made his feelings on honor clear over the years and doubted Jhiton would send him on such a mission when there were others more willing. HehopedJhiton wouldn’t. Ultimately, Vorik’s loyalty was to the tribes and the Sixteen Talons, and he’d long ago sworn to obey his commanding officers, so he had to do what they wished. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d been forced into something distasteful.
“If your reputation is to be believed—” Jhiton waved toward Lesva’s receding form, “—you wouldn’tneedto interrogate a woman to get information out of her.”
“Well. I guess I have been known to have them burble involuntary details while in the throes of passion.”
“Even gardener women.” Jhiton’s eyes narrowed with judgment, even if he didn’t say more.
“From time to time, yes.” Vorik shrugged, not caring to explain that he sometimes liked a woman whowasn’ta warrior, who had more soft parts than hard parts and who rarely wrestled for dominance with him under the furs.
“I’ve seen your face draw tribeswomen of all kinds. Even of all ages. Thegrandmothersflirt with you.”
“It’s my devastating smile. Grammies can’t resist it. You’d get more of the same kind of attention if you hadn’t allowed yourself to be so scarred up and uglified over the years.” Vorik smirked. He would never tease his older brother in front of the troops, but he couldn’t always resist when they were alone. They’d both teased each other when they’d been younger, before Father had died and Jhiton had gotten so serious.
“Does your dragon appreciate your wit?”
“Yeah, it’s what drew him to me.”
