Because he’d been very suspicious skulking around the camp. Because she was curious.
She doubted he’d be happy with either of those answers.
“Why are you out here?” she asked going on the offense. “Caden said no one was to leave.”
He gave her a grim look. “I’m a general.”
“Does the Trateri version of that word mean someone who doesn’t have to follow orders?” Shea asked before she could think better of it. She was out here alone, and he’d already proven he was better at combat than she was. The last thing she wanted to do was antagonize him.
His gaze said he was not amused.
“I think you’re right. I should head back.” Shea tried to step around him and was brought up short when he lifted an arm and blocked her way.
“No, I think you should accompany me.” The smile he gave her didn’t quite reach his eyes. “So I can ensure your safety, of course.”
Shea kept any skepticism she felt inside. She didn’t want to antagonize him. “I’m sure that won’t be necessary. Camp’s not far.”
It was a subtle reminder that someone might hear her scream and come running.
He looked over her head and then ran his eyes over her. “And how do you plan on finding your way back without a light? I see no torch on you.”
Shea glanced back. There were enough buildings standing between them and camp that any light was blocked. Only darkness waited behind her.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine. I just need to find my way around one or two buildings.”
“Nonsense. Fallon would never forgive me if something happened to you on the way back.” He waited a beat. “Unless there’s some reason why you don’t want me around?”
The implacable look on Braden’s face said he wasn’t going to let this go. Shea was left with two choices—resist and try her luck on making it back with an angry general hunting her or go along and wait for her chance to escape.
She gave him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “No, you’re right. Trying to find my way back in the dark is madness. I’ll stay with you.”
He gave her a slow nod, looking less than convinced of her words. He turned, saying over his shoulder, “Stay close. We wouldn’t want you falling into any sinkholes.”
Shea strides stuttered before she forced herself to calm. It was hard not to see that last comment as anything but a subtle threat given what had happened to Fallon.
“You never did say what you were doing out here,” Shea said after a long moment of walking through the abandoned city.
“I’m looking for something.”
“Something or someone?” Shea didn’t know why she was pushing him. She didn’t really want an answer right then, especially given there were plenty of places to hide her body with no one being the wiser. They would think she’d just wandered off. Maybe looking for Fallon, though she was sure some would say she was abandoning them.
The gaze he cast her over her shoulder was hard to decipher. After a pause, he said, “You are very curious.”
Shea shut her mouth. They walked past several smaller buildings, many of which might have been houses in the city’s long ago past. She slowed down, letting the space between them widen.
“I couldn’t understand what Fallon saw in you. There he was telling me how he wanted to strengthen his hold on the Lowlands, that he wanted to put any thought of conquering the Highlands on hold.” He looked at her and stopped. “What are you doing?”
She feigned an innocent expression, her heart thundering in her chest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Am I walking too fast?”
She shook her head.
“Then keep up. I want this done before the army awakens.”
Shea’s hands shook as he gave her his back and continued walking.
“I’d planned to kill you, you know?” He gave her a casual look over his shoulder. Shea almost tripped before righting herself. “I thought you’d done something to him, somehow. Something to make him forget his ambition.”
