“You took a long time,” he said, his eyes popping open to glare at her.
“I did,” she agreed.“I’d heard the restaurant owner has invented shrink-meals, and I talked her into selling us some.You add heat and water, and they pop into their original shape.They’ll be ready for us when we leave.”
He peered at her for a fraction longer before picking up his fork and spearing a morsel of meat.Scarlett wasn’t sure what it was and never asked.She trusted Eva not to poison them.
Her stomach rumbled again, so she ate.The spicy sauce thrilled her taste buds while the mystery meat melted in her mouth.
“You’re right about this place,” Ransom said.“The food is tasty.”
Scarlett nodded, her mind on their journey.“Why isn’t one of your family or friends accompanying you?Why me?”
“You popped into my mind.”
A strange expression marched across his face as if he regretted thinking about her or perhaps the admission.Scarlett held her breath, hoping he’d say more.
“I’d already learned you enjoy collecting precious stones.I figured I’d abduct you and give you a fright in punishment for stealing from the Drake clan.”
A partial truth.Scarlett wasn’t sure why she’d come to this conclusion, but her gut told her he was withholding information.Oh, well.Life at the resort had become tedious, and this little jaunt offered a change.
They caught a flymo to the convent, for which Ransom was grateful.He sank onto a seat, every muscle quivering with fatigue.He had slept little recently—a conscious decision.Tonight, he feared his exhaustion would get the better of him.
The flymo pilot landed outside the convent gates, accepted the fare, and waited while they off-loaded their purchases.
“Are we sure we can carry all of this?”Scarlett asked.
“Once we repack it,” Ransom said.
A young nun in a white robe opened the gate for them and showed them to their quarters.
Phrull, it was one bedroom.Plain and clean with a large bed.He started to protest, to set the nun right, to tell her they weren’t husband and wife, but the nun spoke first.
“Ye were lucky to get the last room,” she said.“Thank ye for coming to the aid of our sister.Those Tigrus lads enjoy their teasing.”
“That’s awful,” Scarlet said.“I am friendly with several of the Red Mumber soldiers.I’ll inform them of this bullying.”
“Thank ye.There is no need,” the sister said.“Ye are welcome to use our bathing house.We have separate ones for males and females.Ye will find the bathing house outside to the right.We break our fast at first whitelight.”
“We’ll be there,” Scarlett said.“Thank you, sister.”
Ransom remained silent, his mind stuck on sharing this room with the aggravating, enticing woman.Her honey scent filled each of his breaths and had his dragon quivering like a youngling ready to launch into his first flight.Grata, this would give his willpower a workout.
He placed his packages in the corner of the room and offered the nun a polite nod as she retreated.In the marketplace, they’d tossed their purchases into the packs he’d brought.He’d repack them now.
“You should rest,” Scarlett said.
“I’d prefer to repack for our journey.”
“I’ll help.”
By the time they’d packed to his satisfaction, exhaustion had him teetering.
“I’m going to the bathing house,” Scarlett said.“You should grab some rest.”
A few minutes later, he stood alone in the chamber.He wobbled two steps to the gel-bed and plopped on the corner.Maybe if he closed his eyes and slept, the prince would contact him straightaway.He’d be eager to learn of Ransom’s progress.
Great gods, he hated this situation.Scarlett Mitchell was a stunning woman with talent and intelligence, and he was calmly delivering her to a despot.Fear bloomed inside Ransom, and he wasn’t ashamed to admit his distress.Only a fool might approach the prince without caution.
Steeling himself, Ransom stretched out on the bed.He willed himself to relax, yet contrarily, his mind recoiled at letting go and sinking into slumber.Sleep would come without a doubt since his body kept trying to buckle, so fatigued were his muscles.
