Page 14 of The Rebel's Prize

"You bribed the other caravan masters not to give me passage?" Her voice rose in outrage. "How?"

"In the usual fashion: money. I don't only run goods through my own caravans," Lucien said. "I utilize other traders from time to time. The caravan masters don't want to lose the business of the Marq of Castaigne. Unless you can offer them a trade deal better than I can, I don't think you will be able to sway them."

"I am the Marquesse of Castaigne. Perhaps I could."

"Nice try, but they would probably need you to have actual goods to transport. And given you don't really know what the estate produces, let alone how to get your hands on any of it, that seems unlikely."

She glared at him. "There are times, my lord, when I remember why I disliked you."

"You didn't dislike me kissing you."

"You surprised me."

"Yes, that's clearly why you kissed me for several minutes before you pushed me away. Ladylike shock."

Her cheeks heated. "Exactly."

He barked a laugh. "If that's what you wish to tell yourself. Maybe I should kiss you again. Get you reaccustomed to me. I don't think it would take too long."

She held out a hand to ward him off. Another of his kisses melting her resolve was the last thing she needed. Which meant it might be wise to change the subject.

"You'd really drag me back to Lumia?" she asked. "If I tried to go on without you?"

Lucien's expression was resolute. "I will keep you safe by whatever means necessary. Including protecting you from your own foolishness if I must."

"If you keep calling me stupid, my lord, then I do not like your chances of kissing me again."

"Reckless is not the same as stupid," Lucien countered. "What you did was brave, but you must admit it's a difficult task to attempt alone."

"Harder still to do from one of the emperor's prison cells."

"I would not have allowed them to arrest you."

"You may not have been able to stop them. You may, in fact, have ended up in one alongside me."

"Be that as it may, I would request that you consider matters a little longer before acting next time. And tell me if you are in trouble."

"I was more concerned with saving lives. And Imogene was closer. Besides, I have survived quite well so far. I have a sanctii," she pointed out.

"It's entirely possible that they do as well."

She had considered that possibility. But if Deandra controlled a sanctii, she hadn't used them at the parliament. And none had tried to interfere with Chloe or Octarus at the palace.

But Lucien was right. Capturing Deandra alone was unlikely. Chloe knew that once she found Deandra, she’d have to summon help. She could live with that, but she couldn't have lived with giving up the hunt. Couldn't give it up now even though part of her thought perhaps letting him take her back to the city where she could be guarded, disgraced or not, might be wiser. But no. Deandra had tried to set her up for a crime she hadn't committed. She'd been tainted once by Charl's treachery, and now she was being directly tainted once more by someone else’s actions. She wanted to clear her name herself, not just sit and wait for others to save her.

She lifted her chin. "I won't do anything stupid."

"Good," Lucien said. "Then we can depart in the morning." He tilted his head. "Unless you wish to delay."

"Why would I want to do that?"

"Perhaps you have unfinished business with Captain Jensen."

She scowled. "I came to him to find a caravan. And while I may not approve of the methods by which he found one for me, it seems he did, in fact, succeed. So that concludes our business."

"Are you sure?"

She didn't need the bond to interpret his tone. Male jealousy wasn't difficult to identify. "As you pointed out, I am your wife. I made vows." He had no reason to trust her, but the fact that he thought she might stray was irritating.

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