Page 104

Yes, I’m aware that such a thought isn’t one most women would welcome. Particularly a woman as independent and strong-willed as Madinia.

And still, when I feel her wake, feel her muscles tensing, I merely nuzzle closer, surrounding her with my body.

She sighs. “I seem to have traded one cage for another.”

That she can already joke about her imprisonment is surprising. Even more surprising? Her voice isn’t cold, and her tone doesn’t cut like the lash of a whip.

Madinia wiggles, turning, and I know she can feel my length press against her. When her eyes meet mine, my breath catches.

She’s heavy-lidded, her eyes so blue, it’s as if they were formed from crushed sapphires. Her hair is tousled, her skin flushed with sleep, and when she leans forward to press a gentle kiss to my chest, I almost claw through my skin, crack open my ribs, and hand her my beating heart.

That thought is enough to make me jolt, and she gives me a questioning look.

I pull her close, careful not to crush her as I roll her to her back, capturing her mouth with mine. She lets out one of those little sounds that makes me hard as stone, and I hiss in a breath.

How is it that I can still need her this much after last night?

BANG. BANG. BANG.

Someone pounds on the door, and Madinia lets out a yelp, pushing at my chest. Reluctantly, I lift my body off hers, my mood darkening.

“I thought we were leaving early?” Haldrik’s voice booms from the hall.

“We’re coming,” Madinia calls, pulling the sheet from the bed and stumbling toward her clothes.

I sigh, hauling myself out of bed.

“Your modesty is unnecessary,” I murmur, and Madinia glowers, tightening the sheet.

Warmth rushes through me, and I can’t help but grin, stepping toward her. She backs up, tripping on the sheet, and I catch her, steadying her on her feet.

Madinia shoves her hair off her face, hand tightening on the sheet. “Don’t even think about it,” she hisses. “I’m not going to see Haldrik in a…state.”

I shake my head. For a woman who grew up at court, she can be charmingly innocent. “I enjoy this prudish side of you. But I’m going to enjoy destroying it even more.”

“One. Night.” She grits out, and I shake my head at her. Already, her eyes are dropping to my chest, her teeth sinking into her lower lip. She stiffens, whirling away, and I don’t bother to hide my grin, whistling a merry little tune as I find some clean clothes. I’m fully dressed before she has finished rummaging through her bag.

“I’ll leave you to collect yourself,” I announce, ignoring her low growl as I step into the hall.

Haldrik is nowhere to be seen, but I find him in the tavern below the inn, eyes narrowed as he watches people from his table by the window.

“The horses are being saddled,” he says. “I took the liberty of speaking to the stablehands about your horses. Although they seemed strangely frightened of the stallion.”

I nod, turning away to speak to the innkeeper. I order far too much food, but this might be our last chance at a decent meal for at least a few days.

Haldrik frowns at me. “I thought we would leave immediately.”

“Madinia needs to eat.” She didn’t eat enough at dinner last night, and the healer made it clear that she wasn’t to skip meals.

Haldrik’s frown deepens, and I study him, making no effort to hide my perusal. For three years, this man has lived his life, without even attempting to contact his so-called family.

His eyes cool. “I know what you think of me.”

“You do?” I keep my tone neutral, but a muscle jumps in his jaw.

“I abandoned my crew. I didn’t finish my contract. I left my family. There’s nothing you can say that I haven’t already said to myself.”

Madinia appears, and Haldrik opens his mouth, likely planning to urge her to hurry. I lean over the table, into his space, and his mouth snaps closed.