From the first moment she’d seen him, she had hoped he could be her tall and handsome stranger as foretold by the Telling Stones. But the sad truth was something she couldn’t avoid. She was an elf, Norveshka’s worst enemy. It was no wonder the general had looked at her like she was a bug. And now, after her ridiculous rant, he probably thought she was a fool.
How could she ever face him again?
“My lady? Are you all right?”
It’s him! She kept her head buried in her hands and felt the sudden rush of heat radiating from her cheeks. Why was the man’s voice so smooth and appealing? It reminded her of the dragon, but with Puff, she’d felt a degree of comfort. This man had her on edge.
Would he go away if she ignored him? If I make a snoring sound, will he think I’m asleep?
“Lady Gwennore,” he said softly in Norveshki. “Are you awake?”
There was no help for it. She would have to talk to the man for Eviana’s sake. Straightening up, she feigned a yawn. “I was just resting.” She ventured a quick glance at him and noted his mouth curled up and his eyes twinkling with humor.
Great. He thought she was amusing. It was better, though, than being regarded with horror. Puff had found her amusing, too, but the embarrassment was easier to take from a dragon than a gorgeous man. Puff, can you still hear me? Please come back and take Eviana and me home. If anyone can save us, it’s you.
The general’s smile faded. “We need to talk.”
“All right.” She eased to her feet and winced as a shot of pain crossed her back.
“Are you injured?” he asked.
I’m a wreck. My back is killing me, and I’m so mortified I want to crawl into a hole. “I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.” General Dravenko frowned at her. “Did the dragon hurt you?”
“I’m a little sore, that’s all. It happened when Puff caught me, but I’m sure he never intended me any harm.”
The general muttered a curse, then turned to Nissa. “Heat up some water, so you can make some hot compresses.”
“Yes, my lord.” Nissa ran into the dressing room.
“It was an accident,” Gwennore insisted. “Puff won’t be in trouble, will he?”
“Would you stop calling him Puff? He’s a war dragon, for Light’s sake.”
“Then he works for you, right?” Gwennore asked. “Pray, please don’t punish him. I would have fallen to my death if he hadn’t caught me. If anything, he deserves an award.”
The general’s eyes narrowed. “You’re quick to come to his defense.”
“Of course. He saved my life. I shall always be grateful to him. And he was really very sweet and gentle. He held me so carefully—”
“I saved you, too.” General Dravenko gave her an annoyed look. “You would have spent the night in the dungeon if I hadn’t—”
“That’s not nearly as terrifying as a plummet to my death.”
“Would you like to go to the dungeon, then? It can be arranged.”
“Are you threatening me?”
He gritted his teeth. “No. I’m trying to protect you. And I can do it better than a damned dragon.”
She snorted. Who was he kidding? His manner of protection was a disaster. Everyone in the castle was going to believe they were lovers.
He hissed in a breath, drawing her attention back to his face.
Blast him. It should be a crime to have both a gorgeous body and a beautiful face. But she wouldn’t let him intimidate her. After all, she needed his help. “I appreciate your protection.”
He gave her a dubious look that made her wonder how much he could see through her.
She cleared her throat. “I suppose I should thank you.”
“I suppose you should.”
She blinked. That sounded familiar somehow. Hadn’t her conversation with Puff gone much the same way?
“We need to talk.” His brusque words interrupted her thoughts as he started toward the bedchamber. “Come with me.”
She huffed. Didn’t he realize what it would look like if they were alone in a bedchamber? Oh, wait. Brody was still there. If the general tried anything unseemly, Brody could shift into a dog and bite him. Hopefully, on his gorgeous rump.
The general halted with a jerk, then glanced back at her. She quickly looked away, so he wouldn’t know that she’d been watching his buttocks while he walked.
“Are you coming?” he asked softly.
“Excuse me.” The maid suddenly emerged from the dressing room with a large copper kettle of water, and he stepped aside to let her pass.
“Thank you,” General Dravenko told the maid, then looked at Gwennore and beckoned with his hand. “Come.”
Gwennore’s heart fluttered as he strode into the dressing room. The way the man moved was lethal, like a wildcat prowling through the forest.
She glanced over at Nissa and found her standing nearby, gawking at the open door that the general had just passed through. The kettle tipped in her hands, allowing water to drip from the spout onto her slippers, and she didn’t even notice.
Gwennore groaned inwardly. “Could you watch Eviana for me? I need a moment with the general.”
Nissa sighed dreamily. “Don’t we all?”
Gwennore’s cheeks grew warm. “I’m going to talk to him for a few minutes. That’s all.”
Nissa broke free from her trance. “Yes, my lady.” She bobbed a curtsy. “Begging your pardon, my lady.”
Gwennore started toward the dressing room, then hesitated as she passed by the servant. “Does the general … talk to a great number of women?”
Nissa shook her head. “I don’t believe so. He’s from one of the Three Cursed Clans, and that frightens most women away.”
Gwennore recalled how Olenka had reacted to the prospect of a courtship with the general. “Why? Are they afraid they’ll go insane like the queen?”
Nissa winced. “Please don’t speak
