Page 13 of Heart of Fire
Freyja’s lashes fluttered against her cheeks, which were filling with heat. Yet she did not respond to his playful innuendo, deliberately it seemed, for she certainly understood it. “You are speaking of those foolish eddas, where thedrekiwalk amongus.”
“Do you doubt such a thing could bepossible?”
“Why would they wish to? My mother said it is the only time they are mortal and vulnerable to injury. So why would one of thedrekirisk such athing?”
“Perhaps he islonely.”
“You are ascribing human attributes to an inhumancreature.”
“Inhuman, yes,” he countered, his own temper flaring. “Don’t ever mistake that, but perhaps all creatures yearn forcompanionship.”
“There are otherdreki,” she replied. “Every volcano in Iceland is plagued by one. Sometimesmore.”
Rurik’s fingers stilled on the edge of his glass. “Not all of thedrekiwelcome others. Nor are all of them welcomed. If one of their laws are broken, sometimes they cast adrekifrom their ranks, exiling him to years ofloneliness.”
Freyja lifted her gaze at the coolness of his tone, as if she sensed something underlying the words. “How do you know somuch?”
“I have eyes. Andears.”
“You sound like my father,” she growled under her breath. “You speak, but saynothing.”
“I am curious as to how a man would allow his unmarried daughter to travel byherself?”
Rurik reached out, and captured the wine bottle, leaning forward to fill her glass. She sat so still, yet tension vibrated through her body. Captured lightning. Just daring him to reach out and touchit.
“My father is blind and ill, so he cannot travel with me.” Those glorious eyes narrowed, and a chilling little smile tightened her soft lips. “However, I am not withoutprotection.”
As well he should know. His little mouse had claws and teeth, though neither would be truly effective against him. Still… he liked it. Liked that snap to her tone, and the way her pretty eyes narrowed as she examinedhim.
Achallenge.
Rurik handed her the glass, their fingers brushing against each other’s as she took it. The touch of her skin sent lightning dancing through him. Like to like. What in the Dark Goddess Hel wasshe?
Freyja’s eyes widened slightly as if she felt it too, and then she jerked the glass close to her mouth. “Thankyou.”
He watched the wine wet her lips, and leave them reddened. Plush, glistening lips he ached to trace, tocaress.
Then her eyes widened and she peered into her glass. “This isdelicious.”
“I know.” He wasn’t to be distracted. “You do realize you have nothing to protect yourself against when you are with me? I have no intention of hurtingyou.”
“Who says I am frightened ofyou?”
“Yourmanner.”
You couldn’t hurt me if you tried…. Freyja arched a sleek, honey-blonde brow, as if she hadn’t just thrown the thought at him. “Then what precisely are yourintentions?”
“You intrigue me,” he admitted, watching her lick a trace of wine from her lips. Gods, how he wanted her. “It has been a very long time since such a thing has happened. Perhaps notever.”
“Do they believe such honeyed words in thecities?”
Rurik smiled, and turned her words back upon her. “You do not like to be complimented. How curious. Is it because you believe yourself unworthy of suchwords?”
“I am unworthy of nothing,” shesnapped.
“Then you admit you are intriguing? That I might see you assuch?”
Her mouth opened… and nothing came out of it. Then she pressed those lips firmly together. “I know what you intend when you look atme.”
