“I think I’ll do just that,” he said, a wicked gleam in his eye. “And then you can tell me how good I am at it.”
Her laughter was muffled as his mouth found hers.
Above them, the stars burned ever bright, and India reveled in the night. And for the first time, she dreaded the dawn.
Chapter Thirty
India woke for the second morning in a row snug in her lover’s arms. It was a sensation she could grow accustomed to with alarming speed.
She opened one eye to see the soft light of dawn bathing their campsite. She let out a sigh of regret. Even she could see the irony over her reluctance to meet the morning.
The fire had long burned down, and ashes swirled and scattered along the ground as a soft breeze played havoc with the charred logs.
She wiggled slightly, burrowing deeper into Ridge’s chest. Not wanting to disturb the complete satisfaction she felt, she closed her eyes and breathed deeply.
Ridge’s hand went to her hair, stroking lightly over the curls. She sighed again at the magic his fingers worked.
“Good morning,” he murmured, his chest rumbling beneath her cheek.
She raised her head and kissed him deeply. “Good morning.”
“Mmmm I like the way you wake up.”
She laughed. “And I like the way you put me to bed.”
“If you two are quite finished coddling each other, perhaps we can prepare to depart,” Robby said.
India whipped around to see Robby standing a few feet away, his eyes sparking mischievously. She was relieved to see no sign of pain in his features.
India crawled off Ridge then extended her hand down to help him up. When he came to stand beside her, she caught him staring inquisitively at her. Brooding almost
“Today is the day. To think we might finally see the city,” Ridge said.
Try as she might, she could not muster the same excitement. There was too much she didn’t know. Was her father still alive? And would they be permitted to enter the city? A trickle of dread snaked up her spine. For that matter would they find it? Without Juan Miguel’s guide, they were walking blind.
She rubbed her arms, warding off a chill.
“Cold?” Ridge asked as he offered her a blanket.
She shook her head. “Just nervous. I don’t like the idea of going it without Juan Miguel.”
“I don’t either,” Ridge muttered. “But we’ll just have to make the best of it.”
“Let’s saddle up,” Juan Miguel called out.
India looked to see him untying the horses from the tree they were tethered to. Ridge reached out and squeezed her hand.
“We’ll find your father,” he vowed.
She took comfort in the confidence she heard in his voice.
“The village is but an hour’s ride,” Juan Miguel said as they swung onto their horses and took out.
Her stomach twisted, making her glad she hadn’t eaten anything yet this morning.
Tension was thick in the air. Even Juan Miguel seemed guarded. India glanced left and right at Ridge and Robby who rode on either side of her. Ridge drifted further ahead, but India made no effort to keep pace.
“India, do you suppose...do you suppose there is somethingspecialabout Pagoria?” Robby asked breaking the silence.
