Page 85 of A Dagger in the Ivy

“I’m not sure the prince thought that request through thoroughly. It’s like asking someone to watch their puppy and expecting them not to fall in love.”

A blush hits my cheeks like a slap. “Aila!” I check over my shoulder to make sure Dante’s not within hearing distance. “He’s not… No one is falling… I’m not a puppy!”

Aila bursts out laughing, which makes me even more embarrassed.

“Uh-oh.” She tries to stop laughing by clearing her throat. “Looks like we got his attention.”

I try to compose myself as Dante heads our way. “Don’t say anything,” I tell Aila. “That’s an order.”

I can tell she’s suppressing a smile as she picks up her weapon belt and refastens it.

“Everything all right?” Dante asks when he reaches us.

“I’m, uh, going to fill my canteen.” Aila holds up her water flask as she trots away.

I almost follow her to avoid looking at Dante but think better of it. Releasing a deep breath, I force myself to stand in place and show some semblance of a soldier on a mission.

“I should give you more credit.”

I’m so taken off guard by his words that I have to blink. “Sorry, what?”

“I knew you were skilled with a blade, but I suppose I wasn’t totally convinced you knew what you were doing until I saw you in action.” He rests a hand on the hilt of his falchion.

“Hmm. I’m not sure whether to thank you for the backhanded compliment or slap you across the face for the insult.”

“Don’t pretend like the compliment—backhanded or otherwise—didn’t make your stomach flutter with delight.”

My eyes flash with surprise. “As if your compliments mean anything to me.”

He raises a brow. “I see the way your eyes find me. It’s almost as if it’smeyou want.”

“You are so arrogant.”

He smirks. “That’s not a denial.”

I grind my teeth. “My eyes are only drawn to you because I want to make sure you’re not fucking around during a military maneuver.”

“You’re rather cute when you lie.”

I scoff, ignoring the burn in my cheeks. “Why would I want you?”

“Maybe the pirate in you knows you’ll quickly grow bored with a marriage that’s safe. Tame. Perhaps even void of passion.”

I flinch. But I don’t want to address my engagement to Torbin with him, especially since the last exchange with my betrothed left me with a sour taste in my mouth, so I argue another point instead. “Stop calling me a ‘pirate.’”

“It was meant as another compliment.”

“You know, you may think of me as naïve, but I’m wise enough to know when a man is toying with me.” I stiffen my chin. “Besides, I’m sure you have a woman worth toying with in every village from here to Podrosa.”

“My reputation precedes me, I see.” He crosses his arms. “But honestly, my real mistress is freedom.”

“Hard to call it ‘freedom’ when you most likely have a bastard of your own here and there throughout the realm, ready to stake their claim on everything you own.”

“I have no such bastards, rest assured.”

“How can you be certain?”

He looks amused. “You don’t know about sirens’ ability to control whether or not they reproduce?”

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