She shook her head. “You won’t.”
“I know you want me. I could feel it in the kiss. If I kissed you again, you’d be purring like a kitten.”
“Try it and find out. You think Vanfian claws are sharp? Wait until you get a dose of mine.”
The Raven shook his head, unable to hold back his laughter. “Okay, little girl. I won’t kiss you again until you ask me to.”
“Fat chance,” she mumbled. “Now take me to my sister.”
“You sure are a bossy little thing.”
“Says the guy who tells others what to do all day long.”
The Raven smiled wide. “Before I take you to her, I want to know something.”
Ally pursed her lips. If he brought up the damn heirloom again, she was going to lose it. “What?”
“Your name.”
My name?It couldn’t hurt to tell him that. Besides, Evie would be calling her by name soon enough. “It’s Allandria Almorsia.”
“Allandria Almorsia. Quite melodic.”
“What about you? Am I to call youthe Ravenall the time, like that ancient Territhian poem?”
His eyes were so dark, she wondered how long one could stare into them before becoming completely hypnotized. “You can call me Lyk.”
Lyk. It suited him. Short. To the point. Direct.
“So, Allandria, what were your plans when you reached the Rings?”
“That’s really none of your business.” She had no other answer to give. Evie thought they’d be able to waltz into a semblance of their old lives, but Ally knew it wouldn’t be easy.Their plans, so far, had consisted of finding somewhere to stay with the savings they had left after paying for passage.
Lyk’s tone was smug. “So you have no plans.”
Ally fought to keep her temper in check and her expression neutral. “None that need concern you. I answered your question. Now take me to my sister.”
“You booked passage with Rigellus. How did you pay?”
“You sure you’re not a detective instead of a pirate?” Ally knew what he was getting at, knew he was bringing up the credits he’d given her, but she didn’t want him to know what a windfall that was for her.
Ally might not have appreciated everything that had happened to her since they fled the Rings, but one thing she did value was the sense of independence it had engendered. She was the mistress of her own destiny now, and admitting that she’d needed the help of this pirate to get off of Gamma-17 was not something she would do lightly.
He eyed her, then sighed. “I’m not your enemy.”
“Then prove it. Take me to my sister.”
Lyk stared at her for another beat before finally stepping away. He unlocked the door to his quarters and exited into the corridor. Ally rushed to keep up, feeling suddenly and strangely disappointed.
Why? I asked him to take me to Evie. Why would I feel disappointed at getting my way?
Ally didn’t want to admit that maybe she’d liked that kiss a little too much. Having that man’s attention focused solely on her filled her with a sense of excitement that was heady. She would have to watch out for that, lest she become addicted to that feeling.
It wasn’t long before they reached the small lounge where Evie was sitting with Lyk’s crewman. Evie waved when Ally entered. Her sister’s color had returned to her cheeks after thescene on the bridge, and before her sat a plate of pastries that was half-empty.
“I saved some for you,” Evie said as Ally took a seat at the table with her. “Even though I wanted to gobble up every one!”
“She’s got a big appetite for such a small thing,” Celdrake said with a chuckle.
