Fallon pressed a kiss to the top of her head as he drew meaningless designs on her back. She shivered, the sensation threatening to spark another conflagration, before she settled again.
“I have missed you,” he said.
She shifted against him. She was glad to hear that, even if that was entirely his fault.
“I’ve missed you too.”
“Have you been up to anything interesting while I’ve been gone?”
She frowned against his shoulder before tilting her head back and attempting to pierce him with her best glare. It was missing a huge component since she was currently pressed naked against him, but she tried anyway.
“No, actually, I haven’t because you assigned a woman to me with all the sticking power of a burr. She’s been relentless in trying to train me to be the perfect Trateri woman.”
Fallon stared down at her with a rare expression for him—surprise. It helped allay the worst of Shea’s ire. Until right then, she hadn’t fully believed Daere when she said that Fallon hadn’t planned to change her into a Trateri woman.
“What are you talking about?”
“She’s spent the last few months trying to drill me in the etiquette and behavior befitting the Telroi of the Trateri Warlord. She’s lucky I didn’t feed her to any sleeper vines.”
“Sleeper vines?” he asked in a curious voice.
Ah, that’s right he probably hadn’t been acquainted with them before he headed out.
“They’re a carnivorous plant that camouflages itself among regular vines. When its prey comes near, it snatches the prey and drops it into its flower where it can digest and break the meat down into nutrients for the rest of the plant.”
He moved his head to look down at her in disbelief. She hid a smile in his chest. “Really? You’re not making that up, are you?”
“It’s all true. I swear. I had to save two of your men from one when they wouldn’t listen to reason.”
He settled back. “Next time just let the plant have them. It’ll save me from having to weed the idiots from my ranks.”
Shea made a sound of agreement. Sleep had latched its tentacles around her and was fast dragging her down. Her eyes closed as she relaxed into Fallon, the feel of his hands rubbing her back lulling her further into sleep.
“Wait, where were your guards?”
Exhaustion stole the filter from her mouth. “You didn’t actually think I would listen to that order, did you?”
His chest tensed under her. She opened one eye to peer up at a set of whiskey colored eyes glaring down at her. She closed the eye and snuggled back into him. She was too tired for this conversation.
“Maybe not you, but them, definitely.”
She patted his stomach. “It’s cute how you think they could stop me.”
There was an angry huff above her head. This time she didn’t open her eyes, letting sleep pull her under. A kiss pressed against her ear and then Fallon pulled the covers up over her shoulder.
“You know that’s not why I left Daere with you?”
“What is?” her question was a drowsy murmur.
“I never wanted you to act as a normal Trateri woman. She’s there to provide guidance when you need it—to ease your path when possible.”
“Hmm,” was her only response.
“Sleep, Shea. We can discuss this when you’ve rested.” A short time later she thought she heard him whisper, “What am I going to do with you?”
She had no answer for him as she lost the battle against her exhaustion and fell into sleep’s embrace.
CHAPTER SIX
