Page 25 of Breaking Ties

She met his gaze. “I know. I know why. I know how. I even know where, if you want me to point it out at your home.”

He shuddered. “Why aren’t you terrified?”

“Because I know why.”

“Tell me.”

“She had been holding you off. You hit rut, and she attacked you with a blaster. She broke her contract, and she ended up falling to her death off the top of the parapet. Her lover was exposed and sentenced to death, and you swore never to take a companion again. You came here now out of curiosity. You were pulled, and nothing has interested you in over a thousand years.”

“I am definitely interested.” He stroked her hair. “So you saw it all.”

“I saw what would have an impact on me. I don’t know how to use a blaster, and I find males annoying at the best of times. I have been betrayed recently by one who was a lover and the other who was a friend. I will not colour you with their brush, and if you wish for someone to watch with suspicion, we will cease this interaction and go our separate ways. I am in no mood.”

He leaned back. “You speak like a Hmrain.”

“According to recent scans, I am just missing the wings, though I have the marks.”

Vress’s wings flexed. “You do?”

She reached out to pay for her headpiece. His hand covered hers and took the charge. She frowned and stomped her foot then froze. “That was weird.”

He grinned. “You don’t normally throw micro-tantrums?”

“Nope. That was a first. You stopped me from spending my money.”

Vress laughed. “I hope to do it again and again. Are you willing to join in a contract with me?”

“Buy me dinner, and we will discuss it. What is your favourite cuisine? They can do a lot of stuff here.”

He nodded, and his own guards shifted nervously. He smiled slowly, and she held up a flat hand. “Save it. There is no contract at play, and sexy flirting is going to fall on deaf ears until there is a contract.”

He laughed and offered his arm.

“Sorry. Can’t. We are unbonded. Dinner first. I will walk near you, and that is all. Now, what style of food do you prefer?”

“What can you digest?”

“Pretty much anything, but I don’t like food that moves on its own.”

“Noted. Zyrchek?”

She smiled. “Yes, please.”

“You will have to lead.”

She chuckled. “Ladies and gentlemen?”

Her guards formed up. One of them took the jewel case for her, and they began to walk through the station. Vress fell into step with her walking train, and his guards were at his side.

He was looking a little befuddled, but he had a smile on his lips as the people of the station moved out of their way.

The Zyrchek restaurant was a five-minute walk, and when they were seated by the astonished but discreet staff and she was settled, Vress looked at her. “Why are you willing to have me? You could choose any Hmrain.”

“If you decline, I am sure that the sight will provide me with an option.” She looked over the menu. “I have seen us together thousands of days and thousands of ways.”

She made her selections and then looked at the exceedingly rigid Hmrain she had taunted.

He looked at her and said, “I thought sexy teasing was off the table.”