“Why? What could happen to you?”
Nissa grew pale as she glanced around the room. “People disappear.”
“What?”
The maid scurried toward the hearth to hang the kettle on a hook over the fire. She obviously didn’t want to talk, and Gwennore didn’t want to frighten the poor girl with more questions. Still, she found herself extremely curious about this so-called curse. It couldn’t be real, yet something sinister was going on here.
Brody would tell her it was none of her business. Or that pursuing the matter could put her in danger. He had a point, she thought as she strode through the dressing room. She needed to keep her priorities straight.
First and foremost, she had to convince General Gorgeous to return Eviana to her parents. It shouldn’t be hard, since Brody would be there to help her. She closed the bedchamber door behind her, then strode into the room.
Brody was gone.
She glanced around once again. General Dravenko was across the room, his back to her as he gazed out an open window. “Brody left? Without saying good-bye?”
The general turned to face her, and she was struck with the realization that she was alone with him in a bedchamber.
She stepped back. “We shouldn’t be here.”
“We need privacy to discuss some important matters.” He motioned toward the open window. “Brody was in a hurry to let Eviana’s parents know that she’s fine.”
“They will not feel at ease until they have her back.”
“I understand.” General Dravenko closed the window. “And I fully realize the damage that has been done. As soon as I learned what was happening, I tried to stop it—”
“You sent Puff?”
“Yes. I am sorry he arrived too late. And I apologize for the pain and suffering—”
“It wasn’t your fault.” Gwennore waved a dismissive hand. “But you can rectify matters by returning Eviana and me as quickly as possible.”
The general opened his mouth to respond, then hesitated. “There are several other things I’d like to discuss first.”
She lifted her chin. “After you agree to send us back, I will feel comfortable discussing those things with you.”
His eyes glinted with amusement. “Are you negotiating with me?”
“I’m protecting Eviana the best I can.”
“She is safe here. You have my word.”
“But that’s the problem. She shouldn’t be here. She should be with her parents, don’t you agree?”
His mouth twitched. “Leofric should hire you to be his chief counsel.”
Her heart skipped a beat. That was perhaps the most flattering thing she’d ever heard. She remained in a daze till she realized he had moved toward her. Only the bed was between them now.
She retreated another step.
“I have a question for you.” He tilted his head, watching her carefully. “How are you able to hear the dragons?”
That again? She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Do any other elves have the ability?”
“I don’t know. Am I being interrogated?”
He bit his lip as if he was trying not to smile. “Is this where I say something like…” He glanced down at the bed, then slanted a pointed look at her. “I have ways to make you talk.”
Her eyes widened. Was he threatening to torture her? But then, why had he looked at the bed?
He cleared his throat as if he was trying not laugh. “I’ll ask again. Do you know of any other elves who can hear the dragons?”
“I don’t know any other elves.”
“You were born in Woodwyn, right?”
“I was, but they sent me away when I was two months old. I don’t know why.”
“You don’t know who your parents are?”
“Does any of this matter?” She glared at him. “After I return to Eberon, I won’t be here to listen to your precious dragons. Puff will never have to speak to me again.”
The general’s expression turned serious. With his jaw set and his eyes taking on a fierce gleam, she was reminded once again that he was a powerful warrior.
“It matters a great deal,” he said softly. “We are at war with Woodwyn. I need to know what the elves are capable of.”
She groaned inwardly. She’d been right. The general saw her as an enemy. “I don’t know anything.”
“What is your gift?”
She winced. How much had he heard of her conversation with Brody? “You shouldn’t eavesdrop on people’s private—”
“I know you’re Embraced,” the general said, ignoring her objection. “So what is your gift? How can you help the queen?”
She shrugged. “The queen’s health is not my concern.”
He strode around the foot of the bed. “You said yourself that if you helped the queen, she might stop kidnapping children. Then no child would have to go through what Eviana did today.”
Gwennore grew tense. The man was definitely a warrior. He knew exactly where to strike for the most effect.
“You also said the queen was being poisoned.” He came to a stop beside her. “I’ve always suspected the same thing, but I had no way of proving it. Can you help me figure out what’s going on here?”
Now he was appealing to her curiosity. She shook her head. “Brody thinks it would be too dangerous, and I have to agree. I just learned from the maid that people disappear if they talk about the curse.”
“What?” His eyebrows rose.
“That’s what Nissa told me. And I have no reason to doubt her. Her fear is real.”
Frowning, he folded his arms across his broad chest. “I’ll investigate the matter. But meanwhile, you would be working with me, so you would be safe. I can protect you.”
“I don’t think your method of protection is very helpful.” She waved a hand at the bed. “Everyone thinks that we’re…”
“Lovers?”
Her heart lurched. Why did his voice have to sound so alluring? A glint of gold in his pupils caught her by surprise, but when she blinked, they were back to a brilliant emerald green. Had she just imagined it?
“Gwennore—”
“We shouldn’t be alone.” She turned toward the door.
“Why not? Are you afraid I’ll seduce you?”
With a huff, she whirled around to face him. “As if you could.”
His mouth curled up. “Is that a challenge?”
“No!”
“You can’t leave now.”
