Page 36 of Stolen Princess's Secret

‘Yes. You should be used to it by now. Or I could be rescuing you, or saving your life, who would know?’

‘You! You should know what you’re doing! And you can’t just take me. You’re outnumbered. People will stop you.’

‘They can try.’ Tomas gave a piercing whistle, the one he used to call birds down from flight, and a short time later she heard the flapping of wings as a majestic golden eagle landed on his outstretched forearm.

She looked up. The bird looked down. ‘Oh, aren’t you a beauty,’ she cooed. ‘Tomas, where have you been hiding her?’

‘Stop trying to win over my attack bird.’ He had his hands full so there was nothing to stop her rooting around in the pocket of his trousers for a strip of dried meat that would surely be stuffed somewhere on his person.

Front pocket, deep, deep down.

Hello.

‘Feed my bird that particular bit of meat and I may not be able to forgive you,’ he warned.

A man of humour, how lovely. Claudia withdrew, but not before trailing admiring fingers along his delectable length. She found the food in his inside coat pocket and held it out for the eagle, praying that her odd position and all the jostling about as she held the food up for the bird wouldn’t encourage it to take a finger as well.

‘What’s her name?’

‘Never you mind.’

‘Claudia!’ Alya had come up beside them, almost running to keep apace as she bent to look Claudia in the eyes. ‘What’s happening?’

‘I’m being kidnapped.’ Claudia felt oddly cheerful. ‘But thanks for asking.’ Tomas still hadn’t broken his stride. ‘Alya, meet Tomas. Tomas, Alya.’

But the other woman was having nothing to do with formal introductions and Tomas didn’t seem that interested either.

‘Do you want to be kidnapped?’ Alya sounded anxious.

‘I’m thinking about it.’ The eagle took the meat. Her fingers stayed attached to her hand.

‘Because if you need saving, I’ll save you. His nethers are currently unprotected. He’ll likely drop you and the eagle will pluck out my eyes, but I’ll do it.’

‘And I will never forget such a beautiful offer,’ Claudia assured her just as earnestly. ‘But I’m very comfortable, really.’

Tomas made a noise that sounded a lot like pure frustration, and Alya squeaked again. ‘Did he just growl?’

‘He does that. And yet I’ve still decided I’m willing to be kidnapped. Again. Or rescued. Or taken to dinner. Whatever.’

‘If you’re sure...’

‘I can paddle your backside if you don’t take this more seriously,’ Tomas warned.

Ha! Stretch goal. ‘What with? Your third arm?’ They were slowing down. They’d reached the edge of the camp, where a group of horses were staked out. ‘Are you planning on stealing horses for us too? Because I’m not sure you’ll get away with that.’

‘He shouldn’t push his luck,’ agreed Alya.

‘I brought the Range Rover.’ He deposited her on her feet and opened the back doors and set about containing his golden eagle.

Claudia took a moment to embrace the sister of her heart. ‘I’ll be fine,’ she whispered.

‘He’s glorious,’ Alya whispered back.

‘I know. Good luck with Ildris. He was not tempted by anyone in the capital and you’ve more than enough soft power and courage to make him a very good match.’

‘If you’ve quite finished planning the next generation of leaders,’ said Tomas from behind them. ‘Well met, Lady Alya. Princess, we’re leaving now.’ He opened the front passenger door and handed her in and buckled the seatbelt for her, and was it her imagination or did his hand linger over her stomach? Did he know? Was that the reason for all the theatrics? The very definitive swooping in to take what was his?

‘Tomas...’ She couldn’t hide the hesitation in her voice.

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