Page 44 of Sky Shielder
“I understand. It’s important to honor one’s family, whether they yet live or not.”
“Yes.”
“And it’s always hard to lose kin.” Vorik thought of his deceased father and a brother he’d also lost several years earlier. And then there was Jhiton’s son. Therehad beenJhiton’s son. Vorik had adored his little nephew, and he understood perfectly the angst that motivated Jhiton now.
“Yes,” was all Syla said, her damp-eyed gaze toward the fields below.
Do you wish me to fly farther than is necessary,Agrevlari asked,to reach the destination the princess gave to me?
I don’t think so. Why do you ask?
You have not yet engaged in activities that I’ve come to recognize as necessary for human intercourse.
Ah. That’s not going to happen for a while.Vorik kept himself from saying,if it happens at all.
Most likely, hewouldneed to seduce Syla eventually. For his mission. This just wasn’t yet the time. Even if her body might have been receptive, her mind wasn’t, and he didn’t want her to resent him. Or herself. She had enough to worry about.
Are you certain? She is leaning back into you, much as Lieutenant Avarzy used to before you engaged in coitus. On my back, I’ll remind you, as if I were a dumb horse with no feelings on the matter.
I’ve apologized many times for what I didn’t realize at the time was an insult. You and I were newly bonded. To me, having sex on the back of a flying dragon seemed exotic and appealing.
It is neither for the dragon.
I understand that now. Do you want me to write another ballad about your magnificence to apologize for my egregious behavior? I was only twenty-two then, you know. Quite ignorant and naive.
You may always serenade me with ballads. Shall I fly a scenic laparound that butte before taking you down, or not? I can pretend uncertainty of the area.
This is her home. She might get suspicious if you?—
Agrevlari banked, and Syla slipped sideways a bit, prompting Vorik to tighten his arms around her again. She nestled back into his grip, not as stiff as she had been before.
You did that on purpose, didn’t you?Vorik asked.
Certainly. Human women find you and your musculature appealing. I am helping you use that to your advantage. Perhaps you should sing a ballad to her while you gently hold her so.
I don’t think she’s in the mood for that.
Syla sneaked a finger up under her lens to wipe tears from her eyes.
No, she wasnotin the mood to be serenaded.
“Were you close to your older kin?” Vorik asked, wondering how insurmountable a task lay ahead. And also hoping that Agrevlari would stop giving advice if Vorik was engaged in another conversation.
“Not as close as they were to each other—I was a surprise child born seven years after my parents had decided not to have more kids—but I loved my older brothers and sisters.”
“I regret that you were hurt, that they were taken from you.”
She didn’t look back at him. She probably didn’t believe him—or care if he had regrets or not.
“I lost my father in a battle with your Royal Fleet,” Vorik offered. “I was young then, and my older brother took care of me afterward, but it was hard on both of us. We’d both wanted to grow up to be just like him. He was a rider and a great warrior.”
Syla looked back at him, scrutinizing his face. Trying to tell if he was lying? He couldn’t imagine lying about something like that.
“I lost my father too,” Syla admitted. “Not yesterday but several years ago. He was… I was closer to him than to anyone else in my family. He was easier to love than my mother. Even though he was king, he always made time for all of us. Even his youngest and… quirkiest.” She said the last word in almost a whisper and adjusted her spectacles before shifting to look forward again.
Perhaps,Agrevlari said,because of the seeing device she wears, she believes she would not be an appealing sexual partner, and that is why she has not instigated an engagement with you.
She hasn’t instigated an engagement because she’s mourning, and I’m from the enemy nation.
