Page 13 of Jace

He wore a complicated expression. The furrow in his brow was back, and his blue eyes were icy in the starlight, which glimmered in his golden hair.

Another shiver of longing went down her spine in spite of herself.

Get a grip, Susannah. He’s here to protect the baby, not to be ogled.

“Here we are,” he said, sliding his fingers along the float-ray’s back and humming to it.

The obliging creature fluttered lower, finally coming to a stop about two feet off the ground.

Jace dismounted in a single, graceful motion.

“Wait here,” he told Susannah. “I just want to make sure the site is secure.”

“What if it isn’t?” she asked, feeling a little frantic.

“Then go,” he told her. “Click your tongue or pat his back to tell him to move up, hum to tell him to come back down.”

“Wait,” she said.

“What?” he asked, glancing up at her.

“Um, be careful,” she said, feeling a little embarrassed.

But when he grinned at her, his blue eyes dancing, she felt better.

“Yes, Madam,” he agreed, giving her a little salute.

She waited atop the mount with baby Zeke, breathless as Jace paced out the meadow. It backed up to a steep, stony hillside. She could see how that would at least stop anyone from sneaking up from behind.

A few minutes later, he returned to them.

“How is it?” she asked.

“It looks great,” he assured her. “Let’s get you down, and I’ll set up camp for us.”

“Thank you,” she told him, feeling relieved.

Though she could have hopped down like he had, with the baby in her arms, she was glad to have him put his hands on her waist and ease her down slowly. He lifted them both as easily as she handled the baby.

Stars, but he was strong.

His delicious scent enveloped her again and she stood, tottering on her feet in front of him for a little too long.

“Getting your land legs back?” he murmured.

That made her laugh, breaking the tension.

But he only frowned.

“Yes,” she said quickly. “It’s odd to walk after flying. I didn’t expect that.”

He nodded once and headed for the hillside to start their camp.

It was strange, she would have sworn that he was joking, but he actually hadn’t joked at all since the moment they met.

He hadn’t laughed at her nervous jokes either, not even a polite laugh.

Were the Invicta prohibited from having any fun? Maybe laughing didn’t fit with their tough image. But it wasn’t like there were any cameras around on this deserted moon.

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