Page 31 of Trapped By Vengeance

Valda just rolls her eyes. “I am the queen of this island.” Leaning forward, she presses a searing kiss to the edge of my jaw. “Just do yourself a favor and keep that in mind.”

With that, she turns and saunters away from me, descending toward Eloise.

Despite myself, I gingerly touch the tingling skin that most recently enjoyed Valda’s soft lips.

Were we arguing about something? I honestly don’t remember . . .

Valda:

Thick clouds slip over the sun. I take the opportunity to toss off my cloak and climb the hill. It feels good to let the chill breeze blow across my skin. It’s nothing like when I used to be able to walk in the sun, but I can almost remember it.

I knew what I would be giving up when my father explained to me all the sacrifices to be made for the strengths I would gain. But there are some things that are not truly known until they are experienced— like losing the sun.

It also feels good to really comb out my hair without my hood getting in the way. The storm did terrible things to my tresses . . .

A sense of melancholy wafts in the wind, but it isn’t mine. Pocketing my comb, I follow it to the top of the hill.

Konrad is sitting on the grass, staring out at the sea. His saber is in his hands, and it looks like he was sharpening it or cleaning it, but has since given up.

I drop next to him. “Where’s the chickpea?”

He doesn’t startle, probably because he either heard or smelled me coming. “She’s back at the cave. Insisted she needed some time alone.”

“Doyouneed time alone?”

Konrad finally turns to me, a light smirk on his face. “Would you leave if I did?”

“Nope.”

“Yeah, I didn’t thinkso.”

I place a hand on his leg. “You know, you’re not so different from the gallant outlaws the bards sing of.”

“And how is that?” Konrad frowns at my hand.

Then he shrugs one arm out of his coat and wraps it around my shoulders, so that we’re both sharing the garment and his body heat.

I tighten the grip of my hand that must be cold through both my glove and his breeches. “Well, for one thing, if you were merely a gentleman, you would have simplygivenme your coat. Instead, you behaved as a gentlemanly highwayman.”

“I’m chilly too!” He glances away, but his reddening ears give him away.

Grinning, I rest my face on his shoulder. “I’m not complaining. I like that you like being close to me.”

He grunts. “Well, don’t you keepyourvaluables close?”

I pat my chest where my tonic perfume rests. “I keep themveryclose.”

Konrad has nothing to say to that.

The breeze plays at my hair, and instinct has me tugging out my comb and running it through my hair once again.

Konrad turns to me. “You’re preening right now?”

“Turn away! You’re not supposed to see me preparing to seduce you.”

He rolls his eyes at me. “Is that part of your vengeance against me? To make me beg for your kiss and forgiveness on my knees?”

“Is that why you’re so reluctant? You remember the words I uttered in anger?”

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