"We can't have that, now can we?"
She shook her head. Her shoulders slumped in relief.
"I have something else to propose."
Her eyes sparked anew with worry and annoyance, and just a small hint of curiosity. He grinned and leaned forward once again.
"I want you to prove your gift, in the village tomorrow."
"Very well, I will do as you ask."
Until she answered, he didn't realize he'd held his breath. Her acceptance seemed a reassurance his instincts about her were correct. "There is more."
Her mouth twisted, but not into a smile. She lifted her chin, a hint of defiance in the gesture. "I expected that. Your requests are never simple, are they?"
He chuckled. "There are other ways to… enjoy each other without stripping you of your virtue."
The red darkening her cheeks grew ever deeper. He savored the innocence that could not truly be faked. Her responses to hiskisses were also honest; of that, he had no doubt. He wanted to experience more of them, while he taught her about passion.
She stared, eyes wide, though she almost appeared to be in a trance, her gaze far away and not focused on him. Was she having a vision now? His gut knotted in concern and he waved a hand before her face. She startled away from him, her stare clearing.
"Did you just have a vision?" he asked, once more catching her chin in his grip and forcing her to meet his stare.
"N-not really."
Her stammer revealed her lie and he narrowed his eyes.
"Tell me the truth."
She jerked out of his hold. "I was merely remembering some of my… dreams."
Hradi laughed. "Then you have an idea of what I will expect this night."
He noticed her gulp, the only revelation of her fear, and while the knowledge she was rightly afraid of him excited him further, he refrained from teasing her about it. He glanced at the meat and waved a hand in the direction of the fire.
"I think our meal is ready."
With anyone else, he would have remained seated and waited to be served, but he needed to divert his attention for a few moments and set about removing the roast from the spit.
He glanced at her face. Relief crept into her eyes and she picked up one of the wooden trenchers. In moments, she had scooped some of the softened turnips onto the platter and held it out while Hradi carved a piece of the roast. Katrin set the full trencher on the table and reached for another. She seated herself and accepted the flatbread Hradi had taken from the bin beside the fire pit. He pulled two flagons off the shelf and filled them with ale before setting them on the table. He resumed his seat across from her and caught her gaze.
"What?" He yanked off a piece of the meat and bit into it. The warm, smoky pork sated a hunger he hadn’t realized had grown so strong.
"I don’t understand you." She scooped some of the turnip with the flatbread and ate, her actions smooth and graceful. She refused to look at him again, her focus now on the food before her.
"What do you mean?"
She hesitated, taking another bite, followed by a swallow of ale. Several more seconds passed before she answered, still avoiding his stare. Damn her! He wanted to her eyes upon him. As if the gods had answered his unspoken desire, she turned and faced him, a steely curiosity reflected in the blue depths of her eyes.
"Why are you so interested in me? Why did you trick me into coming here?"
He grinned and bit off a piece of bread. "You are very pretty. Any man would do as I did to get you alone."
She scowled, her eyes narrowing. Wary suspicion revealed itself in the way her shoulders stiffened. "You must have more important matters to tend than seducing me."
"Perhaps."
"Why do you tease me so? You have not been honest with me."
