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It is with great effort, not the physical kind, that I push Riden away.
His chest is heaving up and down. I’m sure mine is, too.
“That’s enough of that,” I say.
“You’re bleeding again,” Riden says, touching a spot on my cheek.
I hadn’t felt the cut reopen. “Probably your fault.”
“As I’m sure you believe most things are.”
“Of course.”
He smiles and starts to lean down again, and I’m so very tempted to let him close the distance. Wouldn’t be so hard if he wasn’t so good at this. Instead, I say, “I said that’s enough.”
He steps away from me quickly, as though he doesn’t trust himself to be near me.
“I have duties to perform,” he says, turning around.
“I’m sure.”
***
I wish I didn’t have to wait until nightfall to continue searching the ship. All I have to do when I’m left alone is think. And thinking is the last thing I want to do right now.
I’d rather be punching something.
Enwen comes in later to bring me another meal. I smile once he retreats. Riden’s a coward. He doesn’t want to face me right now. Perhaps that kiss was a good idea. It’ll certainly be worth watching him squirm later.
I get in a quick nap so I’ll be ready by nightfall. It was tempting to go right back to sleep once I awoke, but I have no time to waste now that Draxen and his crew are heading for my father.
It’s late when Riden enters the room again. He looks surprised to see me. “Oh, I thought you’d be asleep.”
“You mean you were hoping,” I say with a smile.
“And miss out on whatever snappy comment you have ready for me? Not a chance.”
“I don’t have a snappy comment prepared.”
“That’s a shame. I was rather hoping for a repeat of what happened after the last one.”
“I’m sure. Unfortunately for you, I’m a bit tired.”
“Then why aren’t you asleep?”
“I was getting there.”
“Looks more like you were waiting for me.”
Oh please. Maybe I should knock him out for the night. I can’t do that, though. He’d remember in the morning. I’d be all out of explanations if I knocked him out but stayed on the ship. I can’t leave until I have that blasted ever-elusive map!
“Just go to sleep, Riden. Here.” I get off the bed and sit in the chair instead.
“You’re going to sleep there?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
