When she was done, she frowned at him. “You shouldn’t—” She pressed her lips together. “I need you to—”
She swayed towards him, and he saw that same treacherous desire that flooded his veins reflected in her expression. And just as quickly pushed away. *Starving yourself won’t help you play out your role,*she said at last.
He opened his mouth to say something so cool and emotionless it would whip up her feelings like a sandstorm—and stopped.
What in all the unbroken ice was he doing?
Francine was his ally. She had risked her life to save him, was risking it still. They were surrounded by enemies. She was his fated mate. Why was he throwing barbs at her?
Because she is my fated mate.Because he could not risk becoming too close to her, knowing that as soon as his dragon was well enough, he would abandon her.
She had worried about him enough to ensure he ate dinner—a level of care he hadn’t even offered himself, these past months. And how was he repaying her?
Rudeness and coldness and betrayal.
He wet his lips. “Francine—”
“I’m going to bed.”
Only after she was gone and he had sat down to eat did he wonder again—he knew why he was keeping a distance between himself and Francine.
Why was she?
12
Francine
Francine watched the last trace of land disappear over the horizon.
This was it. They were at sea, with only a few days and a brutal stretch of ocean between them and Antarctica. Everything was going to plan, except that they were on an enemy vessel instead of her own ship, and Julian’s dragon was badly injured.
And Julian was her fated mate.
She itched all over with the need to see him. She knew exactly where he was. Moving quietly around the suite behind her while she sat in self-imposed exile on the balcony, scowling over her breakfast.
Thank god the suite had two bedrooms. She’d lain awake last night, wondering…
She shook her head.
This couldn’t last.
“Julian?”
*Yes?*
His voice brushed against her mind, like cool water on a hot day. She clenched her fingers around her coffee cup. *We have to talk.*
Her lioness flicked its ears with interest.Not about that,she told it, frustrated. *We have to plan our next steps,*she clarified, to Julian and her lioness.
“I would have thought the next steps were obvious.” He sat down opposite her, and she forced herself not to watch his long fingers curl around his own coffee mug. “You enjoy the cruise. A ship of this size must have a great deal to offer.”
“I know it does. Idesignedit. Spas, salons, gaming rooms. Everything anyone could possibly need.”
“It must have a large crew.”
“It—yes.” She frowned.
“That worries you?”
