Page 20 of Scandalized by My Prince
That one was actually easy enough to answer. “Tosaveyou.”
“That makes no bloody sense. I don’t need saving. Try that oneagain.”
She shook her head and smiled. “I answered truthfully, my lord. I don’t owe you any more answers than that. If you want to know more, you’ll have to win anotherround.”
His brows scrunched together. He hadn’t liked that answer, and he was dying to dig in and make her tell him more. Even if she couldn’t feel his frustration, the determined look on his face would have given that away. The muscles in his cheek twitched as he clenchedhisjaw.
“Very well,” he said. “Another round. Flip acard,lass.”
She held back the grin that wanted to sprout and did as he suggested. This time she won the round and could demand he answer a question. She should go easy on him, but the mercenary inside of her wouldn’t let her. “Are you ready?” sheasked.
“Get it over with,” hegrittedout.
She licked her lips. He stared as her tongue slid over them. His lust washed over her, raising her own desire to new heights. Killian would abandon this game if she suggested they get naked. She was still willing to do that, but later. This was too important toabandonyet.
“Was the former earl yourfather?”
She had some suspicions but couldn’t prove them. His answer would tell her if she was heading in the correct direction. The glare he shot her told her far more than his words ever would. He wasn’t particularly happywithher.
“No,” he saidreluctantly.
Aubriella wanted to press him, but left it alone. The rules of their little exchange were clear. If she wanted to know more she’d have to win another round. She could waituntilthen.
She reached for a card and flipped it over. Apprehensively, Killian did the same. He won again and let out a slow breath.Wow, he really didn’t want to answer the next question.His luck wouldn’t hold out all evening though. They still had to do this twenty-three more times. If he was this nervous, what did he think she’d do with the information she gathered? He already admitted the earl wasn’t his father. Surely that was more dangerous than who had reallysiredhim.
“Your move, my lord,” she reminded him. “What would you liketoknow?”
“Why do you think I needsaving?”
He probably wouldn’t like the simple answer of because you’re a bloody fool… “We’re here, aren’t we? You’re about to go walk into a dangerous situation that you might not make it out alive from. I could ask you why you’re suicidal, but Iwon’t.”
He opened his mouth and closed it quickly. “It’s hard not to ask a follow up question immediately. I didn’t think this through. Your assumption is rather silly though. There’s nothing that’s going to end my life in thisvillage.”
“Not here, no,” she agreed, but didn’t expand on her reply. He could think of that what he would. “Let’scontinue.”
They flipped the cards several more times. She won each round, but didn’t press him on who his father was—yet. That was a question she wanted him to give her willingly. They were down to four cards each and his frustration grew with each flip of the card. They both turned over a card, and he shouted with excitement. “About bloody time I wonagain.”
She smiled. “It was bound to happen eventually. What’s yourquestion?”
“This one might be a little difficult for you to answer,” he warned her. “But I would like to understand something. I realize you said you’re here to save me, but there was no way for you to know I was in danger. I made no decision to travel until the day before we left. You arrived a sennightbeforethat.”
“I don’t hear a question in there,” she saidwarily.
“Are you awitch?”
She laughed. “I’ve been called that by my stepsisters from time to time, but no, I’m not.” Aubriella sighed. “It might be easier to explain to you what my particular gift is.” She decided to go easy on him and give him more than what he’d askedherfor.
“And that is?” He lifted a brow. Skepticism spread through him like wildfire. That, and he hadn’t even learned about her time travelingaspect…
“I’m an empath,” she said. “Emotions are a part of me on a much deeper level. I don’t have the power to see thefuture.”
He chuckled lightly. “Is that all? Most women feel more than menanyway.”
“Not the way I do,” she told him. “It’s all right if you don’tbelieveme.”
She picked up her cards ready to let it go. If he didn’t want to understand her, then she wouldn’t force him to. The game still had to be won, and she was ahead in the stakes. Truthfully, they could end it now and she’dstillwin.
“You honestly believe this,” he said quietly. “Tell me what it’s like tobeyou.”
