His lips quivered. “I already promised, I won’t hurt you. That still stands. It didn’t expire after last night’s conversation.”
“Good, because I’m this close on purpose.” George perched a hand on her hip and glowered, for emphasis, before returning to her crouch.
He pulled his lower lip between his teeth as she slipped her fingers between her breasts to retrieve the keys.
“Are you ready to get out of here?” She jangled them.
“You’re serious?” Surprise softened his already handsome features.
“Yes. Give me your foot. And don’t kick me in the face.”
Isahn shook his head as he lifted his chained boot from the floor.
Hooking her left arm around his calf, George fiddled with the lock until the iron shackle fell open, clanging to the ground. She stepped back to give him space—for a moment—before commanding, “Stand up. Turn around so I can get your cuffs.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.” He winked before presenting her with his back.
She took a moment to study him. He must have been around six feet tall, with long, sandy brown locks that seemed even lighter after his latest wash. His broad shoulders cut a powerful silhouette, and his suede trousers molded perfectly to his toned ass and thighs. His linen shirt, half untucked, added a touch of nearly civilized charm to his otherwise rugged appearance. He was a gloriously fine specimen of a man, as she’d suspected when she spotted him on the street.
Lord Yaranbur cleared his throat before wiggling his fingers.
“You’re not going to murder me when I unlock these, are you?”
“Gods, woman. I promised you I wouldn’t. I told you, I’m following my uncle becauseIdon’thave a death wish. Why would I kill a future queen and make dying before thirty a certainty?”
She smirked as she reached out and wrapped her fingers around his wrist. His skin was hot. When the muscles in his hand tensed, a tremble traveled up her arm and into her belly, where aftershocks continued to rumble.
“Hold still.” George fumbled with the keys until she found the one that opened the cuffs. “Are you twenty-nine, then?”
“No.” He chuckled. “Twenty-six. I figured I could stay on the run, stick to the shadows for another three or so years, before your guards caught up with me and took me down.”
Laughing, she settled the key in the lock and freed her prisoner. George held the cuffs in her hand for a moment, feeling the weight of them. A seed of guilt planted itself in her chest for what they’d done to the most-likely-innocent earl.
“You’re not going to tell King Hethtar of Selwas about this, are you?” she checked, her voice raspy as usual. She hadn’t always sounded that way. When she was young, she’d had a lovely voice and probably would have grown up to sound something like Wynnie. But, she hadn’t had the chance. Circumstances forced a change, and the gravelly notes never left. She forever sounded like she was getting over a particularly bad cold.
Isahn turned to face her, taking a few steps away so he could swing his right arm across to grasp his left, stretching. He repeated the action on the opposite side before replying, “How would I even get the chance to talk to my king?”
“Good answer. You won’t.” With her hands planted on her hips, George gave him a once-over... from the front this time.
Isahn chuckled.
“Would you like to visit the baths?” The question was out before she could stop herself.Bit too friendly there, Georgie.
He pumped his brows. “Is this a communal thing?”
She pursed her lips. “Do you know nothing about Domos?”
“Not really, no.” He winked.
“Ooh, you’re annoying. In case you’re serious, yes, they’re communal. No, you will not be naked. Andno, I will not be naked. There are also guards everywhere. Consider yourself forewarned. Domossan nude bath houses have separate spaces for men and women. If you’d like to visit one, you’ll have to earn it.”
His lips twitched. “I’ve heard there are mixed-gender nude bath houses in Salskano. Where are we heading after this town?”
She groaned, “You fool. You know plenty about Domos.”
“Do I?” He came to stand beside her and crooked his arm at the elbow. “Shall we?”
George side-eyed the strange man. Her captive,her gods-forsakenprisoner, hadn’t said a negative word to her, hadn’t lashed out once, and was now offering her his arm.
