19. Sloane

Chapter 19

Sloane

Dexari's grip on my arm is firm but not demanding, and a total turn-on. I know what he wants. The temptation to lean in and press my lips against his is strong, and I slowly lower my head to do just that. Which is just great because kissing the hot guy who's been keeping me locked up is exactly what I need right now.

His warm breath on my face beckons, the magnetic pull between us palpable. But before my mouth covers his, something inside me snaps.

What the hell am I doing?

I pull back, frustration bubbling up inside me. Whether he's doing it on purpose or not, Dexari is trying to seduce me, to gain the upper hand by lowering my defenses. And it's almost working.

Almost.

With a huff, I push myself away from him, putting some much-needed distance between us. The cool night air rushes in where his warmth used to be, a gentle reminder not to get too comfortable.

Without a word, I remove the remaining weapons strapped to Dexari's body—and he doesn't stop me. There's a small blade tucked into his boot and two more in his belt. I set them all aside, far out of his reach.

Dexari watches me with a bemused smile, his eyes tracking my every move like he's enjoying this far too much. "You do not need to disarm me." His voice is soft, calm, reassuring. "I would never hurt you, Sloane."

I glance his way, skeptical. "Forgive me if I don't take your word for it. I've learned the hard way not to trust anyone with sharp objects—especially when they consider me an enemy."

"Is that what you think?" he asks. "That I view you as an enemy?"

"Do you keep all your friends locked in the guest suite?" I answer his question with a question, although mine is rhetorical, and I don't wait for an answer.

With his weapons safely out of his reach, I start to feel a little less on edge and a bit more in control. But it's a fragile sense of control, and Dexari manages to home in on that.

"What is your plan, Sloane?" His voice is soft yet probing. "Now that you have saved my life and disarmed me, what do you intend to do next?"

I haven't thought that far ahead. The truth is, I've been acting on instinct.

Flying by the seat of my pants, and doing anything I can to survive? Just another day ending in y.

"My plan is to wait until you're well enough to be left on your own, then make my escape." My words sound angrier than I intend, but I need him to know I'm in charge.

"Escape to where, exactly? Back to the slavers' ship in the spaceport?"

"No," I snap.

"There is no escape, Sloane. If you survive all the dangers of the forest, my guards will hunt you down or other orcs will find you. Orcs who may be less accommodating than me, less honorable."

Dexari's warning gives me pause. Is there really nowhere to go but back to his palace and, maybe, into his bed?

Deep down, I know there's some truth in what he's saying. But I've got a pet dragon—no, a pet dragalor—and a multi-tool pocket knife for protection.

Right now, I hold the upper hand. Dexari is wounded, unarmed, and entirely at my mercy. For once, the scales are tipped in my favor, and I'd be a fool not to seize this opportunity. I take a slow, steadying breath, letting resolve settle within me. The uncertainty that was clawing at me morphs into steely determination.

I lift my chin with as much defiance as I can muster. "I'm not going back to the palace as your prisoner or pleasure slave. I'll take my chances in the wild."

The way Dexari studies me makes me think he believes me. "If you wish to suggest another option, I am willing to listen."

Mornah pops into my mind. Maybe there is another option…an option that will allow me to reclaim some control over my life. "There might be something…"

The hint of a smile plays on his lips. "What do you have in mind?"