“As far as the Southland borders. After that—my commanders don’t know.”

“Fuck me,” she said in a low voice.

Ragnar gazed at the stream. “I worry there may not be time to wait for those who will betray your mother, and the throne, to come to us.” Hating that he had to do this but knowing he had no choice, he raised his gaze to Keita’s.

Her smile was sweet. “It’s all right, Ragnar. I’ve been thinking the same thing. But mostly because after my fight with Morfyd, I’m more than ready to get this over with so I can flee her judgmental glare.”

“Doing this will be dangerous, Keita. To let others know you knew Esyld’s whereabouts and purposely didn’t tell your mother…I mean, Rhiannon was right after all. You were breaking Southland law, and that is dangerous.”

“Good games are always dangerous.”

“This is hardly a game anymore. Especially when it can turn your kin against you.”

“My kin will shake their heads in disgust and say, ‘That Keita. She hasn’t got a bit of sense in her head.’ And mother already knows. She was my biggest threat.”

“Your brothers?”

“Fearghus and Briec will yell and snarl and spit fire…. That’s what they do. But they’d never harm me. And Gwenvael has known Esyld’s location for two years now. Besides, if we can lure out the ones who would betray the throne—then it’s worth the risk. Not to mention that all this sitting around, waiting for something to happen…”

“I know. Boring.”

“Bloody boring. And who knows? If we time this right, we can get this resolved in no time and once the feast is over, you and your kin can head back to the north and I can head off…anywhere.”

“Is there no place you call home?”

“The world is my home.”

“Your home is huge.”

“I need space.” She rubbed his shoulder with her free hand. “Good.

You’re laughing.”

“Laughing or not, I’ll not leave your side until this is done.”

“Then you best take me back so you can be caught sneaking out of my room when the two suns rise.”

“And why is that necessary again?”

“Because it’ll appear much more devious if it looks like we’re hiding our relationship. Something I never do. Everyone will wonder why I’m hiding it this time. Add in the truth about Esyld, and it’ll look like a plot against my mother.”

And that’s what worried him. Terrified him. Not for himself, for Keita. “This is dangerous.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t allow you to fall in love with me if that’s your worry.”

“It’s not. I’m talking about the danger to you when the truth comes out.”

“Come, come now,” she teased. “We both know that what you’re afraid of is falling in love with me. And you should be. I am astounding.”

“You’re something, all right.”

She studied him for a moment, then said, “Here, we’ll make a pact.”

“What kind of pact? A you-won’t-let-me-fall-in-love-with-you pact?”

“No. You’ll just have to suffer your broken heart when I go away—and I will go away.”

“Then what?”

“That until this is over, we’re loyal to each other.”

“Meaning what exactly?”

“That we’ll do nothing tricky to betray the other. We’re on the same side with this. I do trust you, but when it’s my life in play…”

“I understand and always like extra precautions myself. But I will never betray you, Keita.” And he knew he meant every word of that.

“Then you won’t mind committing yourself to me.”

“Not at all.” But when she lifted her hand to her mouth, palm up, Ragnar quickly added, “But if you spit in your palm, I’m not shaking it.” Her hand dropped. “So picky.” She studied the ground around them, then stretched her body over his lap and dug into his travel bag.

The shirt he’d put on her had ridden up to her waist and he had what could only be called the most adorable ass of all time staring him in the face…wiggling. “What are you doing?”

She shimmied off his lap, which he didn’t appreciate at all because he was appreciating it too much, and opened her hand. “What are these?” she asked.

“Rune stones. I use them for spells and seeing possible futures.”

“Do they mean much to you?”

“They’re my mother’s.”

“Then they mean much to you.” She examined them closely and finally chose one. She handed him the rest and held the one she’d picked in the middle of her palm. Seeing the one Keita chose, Ragnar couldn’t help smirking a little.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“It’s cursed or something, isn’t it?”

“Of course not.”

“Then what’s that look on your face?”

“I’m just amused by your choice.”

“Because it’s cursed?”

“No. It’s the Fire Rune Stone. It represents heat and power.” She smiled, examined it.

“And sex.”

Her smile grew into a leer.

“And love.”

Her leer turned into a sneer. “Must you ruin everything?” She started to toss it away, but he caught hold of her hand with both of his, the stone trapped between them.