Page 38 of Trapped By Vengeance

A few strokes later, she wraps the leather band back in place, all my hair in place. Unfortunately, that also leads to her releasing her hold on me. Physically, that is. I’m beginning to fear she’ll never release the emotional chokehold she has on me.

“Th-thank you,” I say.

“Don’t mention it. Even though you owe me after stealing my favorite ribbon.”

I wince. “I’m sorryabout that.”

“My father better have received it safely, or else I’m going to be quite cross with you.” Valda crawls past me, and I see that she’s pulled on her coral dress again. However, she hasn’t redone her ties, which I know she’s perfectly capable of since I didn’t assist her with them previously. That means her back is still on display. Intentionally.

Little vixen.

“Let me return the favor,” I say quickly, taking ahold of her ties.

Surprisingly, she doesn’t push me away and stills beneath my touch.

My fingers have become even clumsier than when they were working with my hair, and I graze against her skin more than a few times. Each incident is accidental, but I don’t regret a single one.

Her back is definitely as silky as the dream. I wonder if her kiss still tastes the same . . .

I clear my throat twice. What am I even thinking? I did not abduct Lady Valda of Schwerin to kiss her routinely. I may be a lot of things, including a disgraced mercenary— but a rake is not one of them.

Taking my plate from Eloise, I devour it, careful not to glance at Valda at all. Not even when she offers her comb to Eloise.

“Your hair is radiant,” Valda says.

Eloise’s eyes widen at the surprise compliment. “You really think so?”

“Of course I do. And I also know that leaving it down leads to many tangles. Thankfully, I brought this comb.” She turns to raise her eyebrows at me.

And I realize that I’ve been caught staring despite my best intentions. I quickly look away. “I fully condone not wasting anything.” I glance down at my empty plate.

My stomach still feels as empty as when I began breaking my fast, though. I’m going to have to catch more meat— and soon. “Eloise and I are going to hunt again.”

Eloise sighs and tosses a flatter berry at Sir Pigeon. “Shouldn’t we be focused on finding a way off this island?”

“Survive first. Escape second.”

“In that case, I saw a couple of bird nests by the waterfall.”

I do my best to avoid flushing at the word ‘waterfall.’ “What kinds of birds?”

“I don’t know. I’m not a bird expert. I know it wasn’tthatkind, though.” She points at Sir Pigeon.

Eloise frowns and points at Sir Pigeon also, like there could be any confusion over what bird he is. “His breed is in his name.”

“Pardon me for not remembering a silly animal’s name.” Valda climbs out of the cave.

My daughter glares after her and sticks out her tongue.

Sighing, I crawl out, too. Then the three of us hike to the waterfall. Thankfully, if the pirates have discovered this yet, they aren’t using it.

Eloise climbs up ahead, and I crane my head to ensure she’s not walking into danger.

Valda slows beside me, and I turn to follow her gaze to the waterfall.

My dream from last night immediately floods my memory of the dream I wish could just forget. And, of course, my ears warm.

As if she can sense my embarrassment, Valda glances back at me. She looks at my ears and a slow smirk stretches across her too tempting lips.

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