Page 195 of Starside

He frowns, looking over at me in a cursory way. His brow raises. “You’re sick?”

“Not for me.”

That makes him pause. I see a shadow of interest pass across his face. “You care for that knight?”

My laugh seems to startle him. “I care about making it to the end of the Questral.”

I get the sense that Vander’s patience and attention are as thin as needle thread. His eyes are sparkling light blue, the color of the sky here on the clearest day, but they hold no warmth. They’re as cold as ice as he looks me over, as if I’ve already wasted enough of his time. “Dine with me. Then we’ll discuss the medicine.” He turns back toward the stairs.

Ordering me. All these people, always fucking ordering me. I should probably be thankful for it, I should just shut up and listen, but I have met enough powerful men to know that they are all capable of steamrolling right over a woman’s voice the moment they think she won’t speak up for something.

“And if I don’t want to?”

That makes him go predatorially still. When he turns around again, he looks not only angry but also genuinely confused. “I am heir of the most powerful house on Starside. It is an honor to dine with me.”

I laugh. I can’t help it. “Wow. Most powerful house on Starside …” I shake my head. “I’m sorry, was I supposed to bow?”

Silence.

The entire house seems to go still, as if the stone is listening.

Maybe, on second thought, it wasn’t a good idea insulting the heir of the most powerful house on Starside in his own home, while I’m in need of medicine and Raker is at death’s door.

What would he do? He certainly wouldn’t cower before this immortal.

Confidence I didn’t have before holds me still. Keeps me from backing down. I hold his gaze, waiting for his next move, hoping it won’t be reaching for his godsword.

But Vander simply frowns. “What a strange human,” he says.

I glare at him. “What a proud immortal.”

He takes a step down the stairs toward me. “Stellan didn’t teach you many survival instincts, did he?”

My chin lifts. “He taught me not to bow before bastards.”

At that, the ghost of amusement plays on his lips. “Stellan would never bow before anyone.”

He’s right. The fact that he knows that makes a strange mix of pain and comfort run through me. Like part of Stellan is here. Like I’ve finally met someone who knew him as I did. “And neither will I.”

“I didn’t ask you to.”

I snort. “Your attitude practically commands it.”

I can see my pushing has limits when a flash of irritation passes across his expression. His eyes narrow. “I don’t think you understand how lucky you are to be alive. I could sense at least five different creatures and warrior sects in those woods, all headed toward you. Not to mention the cavalry.” He studies me again, as if searching for what could possibly make me that special.

His gaze is piercing. I feel the power around him in my very marrow.

He’s right, of course. But just like any predator in the wild, he will sense my fear or hesitance and take it as weakness. I try my best to look casual and unaffected. He can’t know how desperate we are for his help. How Raker will die without his medicine.

I shrug. “What can I say? Apparently, my head is worth a lot.” My own eyes sharpen. “Is that why you saved us? Are you going to turn us in for the reward?”

His lip curls in disgust. “I don’t need a bounty.”

“Right. Heir of the most powerful house on Starside. I almost forgot. It’s a good thing I’m sure you’ll be constantly reminding me.”

He sighs in a long-suffering way. But he hasn’t killed me yet. All because of Stellan. They must have—somehow—become friends, during the quest. His eyes shut tightly, and I’m sure he regrets ever responding to that call in the forest. Finally, in a manner that suggests it’s almost impossible for him to get the words out, he says, “Will you dine with me?”

He opens his eyes when I don’t immediately respond. They are fierce, and confused, as if saying, I just gave you what you wanted. Now respond the way I want you to.