Total pages in book: 204
Estimated words: 193124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 966(@200wpm)___ 772(@250wpm)___ 644(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 193124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 966(@200wpm)___ 772(@250wpm)___ 644(@300wpm)
“You know,” I say to try to calm myself, “I find it hard to believe that a kingdom wouldn’t have at least tried to break it down.”
Again, I wait in vain for an answer. So I continue, “Especially given how long the barrier was in place. Although perhaps they don’t care because it’s far enough from them, and there is the other way through.”
“As long as it hasn’t rained for twelve years straight,” he gripes.
“It was only three days.”
“Just felt like years then—”
I haul up on the reins and pivot in the saddle as our horses go side-by-side. Before I can open my mouth, he cuts me off. “Is this the second time you’re going to tell me to leave you? Or the third? I’ve lost count at this point—and survival is more likely with us together. So let’s just stop the bickering, shall we.”
My brows drop low. “Good point about survival. Without me, that skystalker would have had you for luncheon in that gray stone wasteland.”
“And without me,” he snaps, “you would have been eaten by a balas. Or even more likely, murdered by one of your own villagers before you even got the chance to try to escape. Tit for tat with mortal boasting is going to be a losing game for you.”
“I’m not the one with the attitude problem—”
“Oh really? Whose voice is raised now?”
“You’re the one who got upset.” I lower my volume with determination. “Just because Thale was in our room.”
Merc laughs to the stone spires around us. And then leans in with a glare. “You want to repeat that? Just so you can hear how ridiculous it sounds.”
“Yes, I do. Because it’s what happened. When you came in and saw Thale, you got upset and—”
“I can assure you that Thale’s presence has nothing to do with anything—”
My disbelief echoes upward: “You wanted to kill him!”
“And that has nothing to do with where he was. The man sells women for profit, takes money from gamblers, and has the gall to parade around in a fancy suit and a stupid hat thinking that means he has authority. He is a common bully with a fortune from misbegotten gains, nothing more. He is utter shite.”
“And yet you didn’t get upset until he was in my room.”
“Our room.”
I arch a brow. “Were you really just worried about your personal property.”
In the silence that follows, I study every minute thing about Merc’s disapproving glower.
“You went to one of his women,” I say softly. “I’d hardly say that gives you the right to be critical.”
“A man has needs.”
I think of what Thale told me. “And out of all the ladies for hire there, you picked the only one with pale hair. Like mine.”
“Was she fair? I hadn’t noticed.” His lids lower. “What was on her head was less important than what was below her neck.”
I think of what we did, up against the wall, next to the bed. “Why don’t you just admit it. You were jealous.”
For a moment, he seems dumbfounded—or pretends to be. And then he begins to laugh without smiling. “You know, you’re reminding me of why I travel alone. You truly are—”
“I was jealous when I saw you coming out of the blond’s bedroom. It just about killed me, even though I have no right to feel that way.” I kick my chin up. “There. I said it. I’m brave enough to be honest with you, but I guess the same cannot be said of a mercenary who drips with weapons and aggression.”
Merc’s gleaming black eyes narrow. “May I remind you that I killed a man, at your request. Before you go around with your judgments, you might recall the very bloodthirsty favor I did for you.”
I swallow through a dry throat. “I saw the way you looked at the bruises on Lalah’s face. You would have done it yourself.”
“No, I wouldn’t have.” He jabs a finger at me. “I did that for you.”
“Why.” I arch a brow. “Why was my request so important.”
Merc tosses up his free hand and sets to muttering. “I’ve had enough of this conversation. Follow me or don’t through this maze of cliffs. But I’m going ahead and there is going to be no more talking—”
“Why can’t you say it!”
“Say what!” he hollers back at me. “Are you looking for some declaration of love? Just because we had sex? Once? Surely your experience in your chosen profession tells you that it doesn’t work like that between men like me and women like you—”
“You are the first man I have ever been with.”
There’s a heartbeat of silence. Then with the way he rolls his eyes, it’s as if someone is trying to sell him a dead horse. Instead, I’m clearly beating one—and yet I cannot seem to stop.
“It’s true,” I protest as my head begins to pound. “I’m untouched. Or … was.”