Page 33 of The King’s Commander

Chapter Twelve

Vanni

This does not bode well.

My thoughts are increasingly absorbed by the woman standing before me, boots in one hand, skirts in another. If our rock perch felt intimate, safe from prying eyes, this seaside cave is even more so.

Which reminds me . . .

“You take too many chances with a stranger,” I warn her. “Leaving the village. Coming to this place.” I place my own boots on a large rock, my sword following it there.

A crack of thunder follows my words, bringing a heavy rain with it.

“Would you prefer for us to be stuck in that?” Aedre adds her own boots to my collection.

Rolling my breeches up, I don’t relent. “For a woman who trusts Southerners so little, you have put yourself in a dangerous position. Being alone with me in here.”

Neither of us move.

“I could rape you.”

“But you will not.”

“Another man might.”

“I’ve seen twenty-five summers without being touched by a man. Surely I can continue to defend myself without your guidance.”

“Never been touched by a man?” I repeat, the words more of a challenge than any I’ve faced with my sword.

“In the way you speak of.”

Ah. Which means . . .

“But you have been kissed?”

Not my question to ask, but I do so anyway.

“’Tis none of your concern.”

Aedre’s annoyance is obvious. Mayhap she resents my meddling, my unwanted warnings. But I suspect there’s more to it.

Another loud crack fills the cave. Although not deep, it’s wide, and the stone overhead high enough to easily accommodate us. Only a few steps would bring me to her.

“I don’t wish to insult you.”

“Would you tell one of your men not to find himself alone with another even for the sake of staying dry?”

I am about to remind her my men are, in fact, men, when I remember her trick with the knife.

“You surprised me once, but it would not happen again.”

Aedre rolls her eyes, obviously annoyed by the discussion.

“You will not rape me, so can we stop speaking of it?”

“And you know this for a fact?”

“Aye.”