Page 58 of The Rebel and the Rose
‘Go to hell,’ she snapped.
‘Seraphine, I had to ask.’
She folded her arms. ‘Congratulations on your new-found common sense. No, I did not steal the corpse of your dead best friend. Any other depraved accusations you’d like to level at me before I shove you out into that rain?’ Something else occurred to her. ‘Is that what your provocative little game of truth or dare was really about?’
‘It was more about getting your cardigan off.’
She offered her middle finger. ‘Stay here another minute and we’ll find out what else I can rip off…’She glared pointedly at his crotch.
‘Oh good, we’re back to flirting.’
She kicked his shin.Saints, her eyes burned. What was it about this Dagger that made her feel like a lit match?
He canted his head. ‘Huh, it seems like your magic is tied to your emotions.’
‘This one is anger in case you didn’t realize.’
‘It must accelerate your healing too. The bruise along your jaw is almost gone.’
Shame she couldn’t say the same for her bruised feelings. If this carriage ride had taught her anything, it was how little hethought of her. Why would she ever confide in him when he held such a dim view of her? Why would she evenwantto?
What did it matter anyway? She was going to jump ship the moment they found Prince Andreas. It would be easier this way.
She slammed her fist against the ceiling, yelling for the coachman to pull over.
As the carriage trundled to a stop, she kicked the door open. ‘Either you get out, or I will.’
Ransom gave her a flat look. ‘It’s a long way to the Appoline, Seraphine. No more games, I promise. We’ll think of something else to do.’
‘In your dreams.’
‘Admittedly, yes.’
‘Get out, Ransom.’
To her surprise he did, offering her one last doleful look over his shoulder before disappearing into the rain.
A moment later, Theo returned, his brows pinched in concern as he clambered inside the carriage.
He looked her over. ‘Did you fight?’
‘Of course,’ she huffed. ‘What did you three talk about?’
‘Not much.’ He slumped onto the bench, sliding a little to one side. ‘We were playing cards.’
Sera sniffed, then narrowed her eyes. ‘Why do you smell like whiskey?’
He offered a lopsided grin. ‘We were doing forfeits.’
‘And what? You lost?’
‘Oh no,’ he said, kicking his legs up and settling in for a snooze. ‘I won.’
Chapter 14Ransom
For three long days on the road, Ransom barely made eye contact with Seraphine. After their argument in the carriage, which had come hot on the heels of her little inferno at the marketplace, she had made a point of avoiding him.
Whenever they stopped to stretch their legs, she stomped off on her own, feigning interest in a nearby oak tree or lingering at a street stall filled with forgettable trinkets. When they ventured further afield for refreshments, stopping in a local tavern, Seraphine always sat at a different table with Versini, keeping her back to Ransom and three of the king’s soldiers between them. Once, to test the waters, Ransom asked to borrow her salt-shaker, and she had roundly fired it at his head.
