A captive in her bed? You took much longer to wake than is typical for you.
He smiled, remembering his discussion with Syla of who was the captive and who the captor. All he replied to Jhiton was,I’m tired.
Thus my assumption. That ship is still in the harbor, right? That’s what the dragons report.
I think so.From the bed, Vorik couldn’t see anything but the night sky through the porthole, but the gentleness of the waves suggested the ship remained in protected waters.
Are the fleet officers taking orders from the queen, or is she only along to operate that device?
We didn’t discuss the fleet’s chain of command.
Did you discussanythingof importance?
Vorik thought about summing up his conversation with Syla, and offering to be an earnest spy, especially since he would need to do a lot to redeem himself when he returned to his people. But Syla hadn’t drugged and questioned him when her people had wanted her to—when, by all rights, she should have. In all their meetings, she’d never hurt him when she had the opportunity, neverbetrayed him. His honor kept him from knowingly sharing anything that might be used against her.
Testicles came up,he answered.
Jhiton sighed into his mind.
You can’t denytheirimportance.
If sheisin charge, do your best to keep her in bed until morning, eh?
I don’t think that will be difficult.
Since she was breathing evenly, probably exhausted by all that the previous day had involved, Vorik doubted she would wake until well after dawn.
Should I ask why?Vorik added when Jhiton didn’t respond.
No.
Vorik gazed bleakly into the darkness of the cabin, realizing his brother had been checking on the location of the ship—of that weapon—and the queen because he was up to something. Of course he was.Hewouldn’t let his feelings for a woman deter him from the future he wanted for their people.
Maybe Vorik shouldn’t have either, but he couldn’t help it. He wanted his future to involve Syla. But how could he possibly make that happen?
10
Syla hadn’t meantto fall into a deep sleep after her second joining with Vorik, but she’d already been drained from healing people earlier, and also hadn’t fully recovered from the exhaustion induced by the weapons platform. Their multiple encounters that night had been exhausting as well, though in a delightful way. When she woke, she felt relaxed after their wonderful time together and longed to stay in his arms, even though daylight brightened the sky beyond her porthole.
Vorik lay on his side behind her, her back snuggled into his chest, his arm draped around her. Freed of his shackles, he could have slipped away and escaped, especially if Wreylith had also chosen to doze during the night, but Vorik appeared to be sleeping. Relaxed and comfortable. Something neither of them should have been.
Igliana approaches,Wreylith stated. She sounded like she was a few miles away on the island instead of on the ship above—she’d probably gone to hunt for breakfast.Your Island of Bogs is under attack.
Bogberry Island?Syla stiffened, memories of Wreylith’s warning from the night before flooding her mind.
They were prepared for another incursion,the dragon had said.
Was Bogberry Island what had brought General Jhiton and his squadrons of dragons? With the shield up, winged predators couldn’t have reached its shores.
What happened?Syla asked.
Stormer-allied dragons attacked two warships that were leaving the protection of its shield.
Syla closed her eyes, grimacing. She’d sent word, requesting aid from the Royal Fleet stationed on other islands. Had those two ships left their safe harbor because of her request? They must have.
Further,Wreylith continued,humans must have sneaked onto the island because numerous fires burn in its capital city at the mouth of the river. Many buildings have been damaged. Also, a large fire is burning in the walled compound of what Igliana believes is the dwelling of its island chief.
Island lord, Syla thought but didn’t correct the dragon. The Kingdom terminology hardly mattered now.
