Another door slammed, the bolt slotting into the lock like a death knell.
Gweneth paced a tight circle of their cell.“What are we going to do now?”
“We’ll have to give the appearance of making love, otherwise, I think they’ll follow through on their threats.”
“They’re probably watching us now,” Gweneth spat.
“No doubt, but we’ll manage.”Ellard strode to the front of their cell and stared through the bars.Leeam and Sheera were both lying on the deck.“Stay still,” he said in an undertone.“The man behind your capture has joined the ship.He knows how you feed and has ordered us to have sex in order to make sure you remain healthy.You’ll have to look livelier soon because he’s intending to inspect his merchandise.”
“We hear and will follow your suggestion,” Leeam replied, his voice a whisper.
Gweneth retreated to the far corner of their cell and sank to the floor.Ellard stalked over to join her.
“I don’t like this.”
“Me neither,” he said.“But we’re going to push aside our discomfort and do as we’re told.But the longer we delay their plans, the better the chance we have of giving Ry and the others a chance to rescue us.”
“It irks me that we need saving.”
“I hear you.I’m in charge of security.How do you think that makes me feel?”
They stared at each other and Gweneth sighed.
“How are we going to do this?You’re right.There is no alternative.That man meant business.”
“We can leave our clothes on and work around them.”
Gweneth scowled.“This is a horrible idea.”
“On the plus side, it’s never a hardship to touch you.”
“You sweet talker.”
“I try,” Ellard said.
“You always know the right thing to say to make me feel safe.”
The tension creasing his face eased and his eyes softened to a pretty leaf green.
“I like your eyes.They’re so pretty.They remind me of the forest.Some men have long eyelashes.You have long lashes.”
Ellard raised his hand to cup her cheek.“They’re the same color as yours.”
“No, they’re not.Are we going to have our first argument?”
Ellard chuckled, and the dread in the pit of her stomach faded.If they could joke while incarcerated on a reiver ship, they could manage to have sex to order.“One cycle, I’d like to make love in an actual bed.A nice, comfortable bed with a sanitizer room attached.Food and maybe a beverage.”
“I think we could arrange that.I have a suite at the castle.Big gel-bed.”
“How big is your sanitizer room?Big enough for two?”
“I don’t know.”
Gweneth grinned.“Doesn’t matter.We’ll experiment once we get home.”
Ellard leaned closer and pressed his lips against hers.He seemed so calm, and his demeanor helped to stuff down her panic.She could do this and retain her dignity, even if every reiver on board this ship lined up to watch.
Gweneth let her hands creep around Ellard’s neck and wriggled closer.She scowled at the discomfort and pulled back.“Could we lie down?”
