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Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, his gaze following the agile movement of her hips.
Cullen could hardly blame him, but if she was doing this for Fox, he would not stand for it. His hand automatically moved to the dagger at his belt.
Sunny glanced his way as she strolled past him and gave an imperceptible shake of her head.
A firm hand gripped his right shoulder.
Cullen glanced back, withdrawing the dagger from his belt as he did so. His gaze met Eben’s steely one.
Eben shook his head. “Let her be.”
Through the hand on his shoulder Cullen felt an immense surge of power. It was soothing, yet left him oddly fixed to the spot. He didn’t understand why Eben was holding him, and wondered briefly if this was why Eben had been there these past few days. Had Eben and Sunny planned for this moment?
Try as he might, he could not pull away from Eben’s grip.
Returning her attention to Nathaniel, Sunny rested one hand on her hip. “About time, too,” she said silkily. “I was just about to give up on you, Viscount.”
Nathaniel raised his eyebrows. “It is the thirtieth day, is it not?”
“It is.” She pouted provocatively, her cherry-painted lips an invitation no man could resist. “But I’ve been getting bored waiting for you.”
Satisfaction swelled from Nathaniel, drawing contempt from Cullen.
“Is that a fact?” Nathaniel drawled. “Yet you fought so valiantly to keep Cullen by your side for thirty days. Surely he hasn’t bored you?”
“
He had his uses,” she responded in a glib manner. “Meanwhile, I’ve learnt all about the Master of Raven’s Landing, and I confess my appetite has been whetted.” She cocked her head on one side.
Nathaniel continued to assess her. “No doubt Celeste’s poisoned your mind.”
“Perhaps that was her intention, but please credit me with some intelligence and independence of mind.” She shrugged and allowed her lashes to flutter down, then up again, looking at him with a coy but beckoning expression. “I have a lot learn, and I’m quite sure you’re the master to learn under...I mean, beneath.” She giggled, and then strolled around him, examining him as if he was on offer to her.
Cullen’s blood boiled.
Eben’s hand was still on his shoulder. He was held to the spot as surely as if he had been ransacked by rope and gagged.
“Oh my, and there I was expecting weeping and wailing and heartbreak. You are full of delightful surprises. Sunny Chambers, am I to assume you offer yourself willingly as my apprentice?”
Sunny nodded. “I believe I demonstrated my burgeoning talents to you thirty days ago, and if I’m not mistaken, you were intrigued enough to strike a deal?”
Nathaniel inclined his head.
“Since then I’ve picked up various...shall we say ‘skills’ from the folk in Raven’s Landing who are blessed by magic, but I find myself easily bored and wish to move on. You, I understand, are the master. I could learn a lot from you.” She arched her beautiful eyebrows, her lips pursed as she boldly met his gaze.
Cullen wrestled with his emotions. She’d said she’d do anything to save him from the dark tides—to save him from Nathaniel’s proposed destiny—but not this. Not this! He couldn’t allow her to give herself to Nathaniel in order to save his sorry soul.
“It’s rather refreshing to discover you’re not an indecisive sort. We’ll quickly come to understand one another.”
“Don’t you want me to show you what I can already do?”
“I can’t wait,” Nathaniel responded, clearly entranced by her coquettish flirtations.
She laughed in delight. “And then you can begin to master me, thoroughly.”
Cullen watched in horror. Surely she couldn’t mean it? Not his Sunny?
Nathaniel meshed his fingers together, contemplating her. “A contract will have to be signed.”
