Aleksi snorted, then refilled his cup with cider.
She frowned. Why wasn’t the dragon answering her? “Isn’t that Puff?”
Aleksi shook his head. “It’s another one.”
Hello? Gwennore attempted to contact him, but still no reply. She sighed. “He’s not as friendly as Puff.”
Aleksi’s eyes twinkled with humor. “You seem to like the one you call Puff.”
“Of course. He saved my life.” She motioned to the new dragon. “Why is he circling overhead like that?”
“Orders from the general. The dragon is watching over us to make sure the princess remains safe.”
“Are you expecting some sort of danger?”
“No, no.” Aleksi offered her the jug of apple cider. “It’s just a precaution.”
She refilled her cup. “Then where is Puff? He told me he wouldn’t be far away.”
“Well, he isn’t too far away.” Aleksi glanced over at the general, who was talking to the helmsman. “General Dravenko told me you’re going to return with us.”
Gwennore scoffed. “I didn’t have any choice, since I was desperate to get Eviana back home as soon as possible.”
Aleksi tilted his head. “You didn’t have a choice?”
“No. I agreed, so the general would agree to return Eviana today.”
“But he was already planning—” Aleksi bit his lip. “Want some more bread?” He passed her the basket.
Gwennore narrowed her eyes. “What were you saying?”
“Nothing.” Aleksi jumped to his feet. “I should see if the general is hungry.”
“Wait.” Gwennore rose to her feet. “Was he already planning to return Eviana?”
“I—I don’t know everything he’s up to.” Aleksi winced. “Obviously.”
“When did you rent this barge?” Gwennore demanded. “Before or after he made the bargain with me?”
Aleksi grimaced. “I’ve already said too much.”
She drew in a sharp breath. Had the general tricked her into agreeing to the bargain? She’d already seen how easily he had lied to the queen. Had he deceived her, too? Had he used her own desperation against her?
With her heart pounding, she clenched her fists. How dare he manipulate her like this! She turned toward him, ready to unleash her anger, then stopped with a jerk.
Somehow he already knew. He must have overheard their conversation, for he was watching her with a stricken look.
She scoffed. He might as well admit his guilt, for it was written clearly on his face.
Chapter Eight
Dammit. She was so damned quick at figuring things out, Silas thought. Hearing Gwennore’s thoughts over the last few seconds had been like witnessing a shipwreck. And now she was pissed.
But once again, she’d proven how clever and discerning she was. He strode toward her. “We need to talk.”
Her lovely lavender-blue eyes flared hot with anger. “I have nothing to say to you.”
“Then you will keep your end of the bargain?”
She gritted her teeth. “It was not a bargain. It was an act of coercion and deception. You should be ashamed.”
Silas shot Aleksi an annoyed look for not keeping his mouth shut, then turned back to Gwennore. “We still need to talk.”
“Mayhap you need to talk, but I have nothing to say.” She crossed her arms and looked away.
Her odd manner of speech threw him for a second, but he ignored it. “Look. We’re going to be stuck together on this barge for the next three hours. Are you going to pretend that I don’t exist?”
She studied her fingernails without responding.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” he muttered. “But wouldn’t you like to vent your anger? I do deserve it, after all.”
She snorted.
At least she was listening. “So for the next two and a half hours, I will allow you to berate me.”
“Allow me? As if I need your permission. I’ll yell at you whenever I please. And for as long as I want.”
His mouth twitched. This was more like it.
“Don’t you dare smirk at me.” She glowered at him. “I am not entertaining.”
She was delightful. He bit his lip to keep from smiling. “How about I let you throw me overboard?”
“Can you swim?”
“Yes.”
She shrugged. “Then it’s hardly worth my trouble.”
He stifled another grin. “I’ll promise to be wet and miserable for the rest of the trip. If I dry out too much, I’ll jump back in.”
With a huff, she planted her hands on her hips. “This is all a jest to you, isn’t it? You tricked me!”
“Come.” He took her by the arm to lead her toward the side railing where they could be alone. When she jerked her arm free, he added, “I’m just trying to put some distance between us and the child, so you don’t wake her up when you start screeching at me.”
“Screeching?” Her voice rose, then she winced and gave him an annoyed look. “For your information, I don’t screech. I am not the sort to lose control.”
He gave her a wry look, since he could recall her losing it the day before. Her hair had been loose and wild, unlike today’s neat and tidy braid. She’d looked magnificent—so much so, that a wicked part of him wanted to push her until she lost control again.
“Come on.” He stepped toward the railing while he smiled at her. “Aren’t you curious why I’m so desperate to have you return with me?”
She glanced away, her cheeks turning pink. Blast him. I am curious, and the scoundrel knows it. I should slap the smile off his handsome face.
Silas took a deep breath. Her reactions to him were affecting him too strongly, making his heart race and his groin tighten. If he didn’t teach her soon to close off her mind, he might lose control, himself, and take her to bed. Fool, he berated himself. He would need to seduce her more slowly than that. First, he would kiss her. A gentle kiss, then a more passionate one. Dammit, what are you thinking?
Thank the Light she couldn’t hear his thoughts. But hell, she was going to be livid once she learned that Aleksi, Dimitri, and he could hear her.
He bowed his head. “Please accept my apology. I am
