Page 18

She smiled back, falling into step with him until they stood outside a large tent big enough for at least four.

The guard left them at the entrance.

“You're not sleeping here, are you?” Dak asked.

“No.”

“I’m supposed to watch your back, Luc. I can't do that if I don't know where you are.”

“My tent is close to where you found us earlier. He'll be safe with me.”

Ava's tone was earnest. She was trying to appease Dak, and Luc decided if his friend didn't start at least pretending to accept Ava, he would have to beat some sense into him.

“It doesn't matter anyway. He'll go with you, however much I object.”

“I just want a little time for myself.” Luc put a careful hand on Dak's shoulder, because he felt like hitting out at him, rather than making peace. “No one will know where I am. I'll be safer with Ava than in the guest tent, surely?”

Dak shrugged gracelessly, and Luc turned away from him, unwilling to show his frustration and anger.

Ava continued to look at Dak for a beat, and then she turned, too, took his hand and led him into the darkness.

* * *

The dawn lightfiltered through the thin canvas of her tent, and Ava tilted her head to look up at Luc. She was tucked up close against him, and filled with a warmth and joy she realized she may have never felt before.

They had spent only three nights together before now, and they had either been prisoners or hunted for every one.

This . . . this was a gift.

“Have we ever not had to run for our lives when we've been together?” Luc's voice was a rumble in her ear.

She smiled against his chest. “I was just thinking the same.” She stretched against him. “Although I do have to get breakfast and go, because I'm on guard duty this morning.”

He stilled beneath her. “You’re going to continue with that?”

She met his gaze. “It might be possible to pull back on that a little when the general's story about me starts to circulate, but for now, yes, I’d better keep to my schedule.”

He regarded her with serious eyes. Ran a hand down her naked back. “Was helping negotiate the trade deal all that the general wanted from you?”

Ava nodded, but her fear at the general’s parting comment was a tingle against her lips.

If General Ru knew her grandmother, she just might know who her relations were on her father’s side.

It wasn’t common knowledge. Her father was the Kassian queen’s much younger half-brother, and he had disavowed his connection to the throne twelve years ago.

But the general came across as someone who would be well informed.

And if she was, and if she told Luc, every hesitation, every delay now, would make the moment he discovered the truth worse.

It might be the end of them.

The thought of that was a dark, endless pit in her stomach, a pain in her heart. And she bargained with herself that she would find a better moment.

And knew she was a coward.

She laid her cheek against his chest so she wouldn’t have to look in his eyes. “The general wanted me to use what influence I have with the Grimwalt Council to advance Venyatu’s interests as well as approaching the trade department with the Skäddar’s request. I promised to use whatever goodwill I have there because of my grandmother and my parents. The general seems to think that is a good bargain. I’ll keep my word and try my best to help. It’s a good bargain for me, too.”

“You never considered telling the Venyatux the truth when you reached the column?” He pulled her up on top of him, and she pressed a kiss to his neck.