Page 71 of Bride of Fire
Jenefer gave her a simmering glare. “Well, at least I’m not training their soldiers.”
Feiyan colored.
Jenefer worked in silence after that.
Meanwhile, Feiyan salvaged her pride by punching and kicking at the air in the strange fighting style she’d learned from her mother’s servant.
“So, Feiy,” she said casually, “what do you know about seducing men?”
Feiyan was so startled by the question, she stumbled in the middle of a lunge and almost kicked herself right off her feet. “Wha-what?” Then she planted indignant fists on her hips. “What makes you think I would know anything about seducing men?”
“Don’t you?”
Feiyan’s jaw dropped in disbelief.
Jenefer shrugged. “I figured you had lots of experience.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Jenefer didn’t know why her cousin was so upset. “’Tis a simple question. Aye or nay? Do you or do you not know how to seduce men?”
“What kind of a strumpet do you think I am?” Feiyan demanded.
“So you don’t know?”
Feiyan answered with a growl, then bit out, “Nay, Jenefer. No doubtyouhave swived your way through the ranks of your father’s knights. But I…” She halted, narrowed her eyes, and cocked her head. “Wait. Why are you asking me that?”
Jenefer shrugged. “Just…curious.”
But Feiyan was as perceptive as a hunting hound when it came to sniffing out answers. “Are you planning to seduce someone?”
Jenefer didn’t care for Feiyan’s amused tone. “Nay.”
“You are, aren’t you?” Then she inhaled sharply. “Thor’s ballocks! Don’t tell me you’re going to try to seduce the Highlander?”
Before Jenefer could deny it, Feiyan erupted into peals of laughter.
Though Jenefer would never admit it, her cousin’s mirth made her suddenly uncertain of her plan. What if she didn’t have the charm or wit or wiles to seduce Morgan?
But she couldn’t afford self-doubt. Turning hurt into fury, Jenefer wheeled and gave Feiyan a hard shove.
Unprepared, Feiyan plopped onto her arse on the floor. Her laughter was cut short, and revenge flared in her eyes.
“Ifthat’syour idea of seduction,” Feiyan sneered, nodding to the drawing Jenefer had made, “then you might as well toss those plans onto the fire.”
Jenefer was saved from having to think of a cutting retort. A thin, sad cry leaked through the wall from the nursery.
Miles.
She clenched her jaw. If Miles hadn’t been wailing, Jenefer would have stayed to settle things between her caustic cousin and her, once and for all, with her fists.
But the babe’s cries were growing louder. If she didn’t go to the nursery of her own accord, Bethac would come knocking. And she didn’t want the maid to witness her beating Feiyan to a bloody pulp.
So she threw the piece of charcoal at Feiyan, making her flinch out of the way, and left, slamming the door behind her. With a curt nod to the guard, she stalked down the hallway.
Taking a deep, calming breath, she swung open the nursery door, expecting to see Bethac pacing in frustration.
What she saw instead made her freeze in stunned amazement. Before her was the most magnificent embodiment of a warrior she’d ever seen.
