“Why aren’t they bothering you?” I asked, a bit huffily.
Tovian shrugged. “Ansi methods are better.”
“Distilled locustweed isn’t Ansi?” I asked, archly, following him as he led me down a path I hadn’t even noticed, away from the more clearly marked one.
“We use it for several things. Including warding off Big Ada.”
Tovian’s accent is lilting, rounding certain vowels. It’s beautiful. I could listen to him talk all day.
“Who’s Big Ada?”
He laughed. “Not Ada. Eater.”
Eat-uh. I misheard, but I understand now. “Who–or what–is Big Eater?”
“That,” he gestures down into a ravine. “Also known as the mordecam.”
I follow the direction he’s pointing, and scream.
Chapter 3
For the second time in as many hours, Tovian’s palm clamps over my mouth. He drags me backwards several steps.
“Shh. Don’t draw attention. Big Eater is happy with her meal, for now. But there are smaller dragons that hang around looking for the scraps. We don’t want them inviting us for dinner, lest we end up like those men, Sunshine.”
I can’t draw enough air. The cursed locustweed he gave me to ward off gnats chokes me as I take panicky little sips. I was so preoccupied with Tovian that I never heard the huge dragon attack four men.
“That isdisgusting.” I’ve seen a lot of horrible things over the past few weeks. My friends were shot down in a plane. I drilled burr holes into Lorcan’s head, for fuck’s sake. I’m not one to recoil from blood and viscera. I’ve never seen anything quite as grisly as that, though.
“Had I been a bit slower to pull you out of its way, that would be you down there.” Tovian cautiously releases, me though he stands close, with one hand resting lightly on my hip. “I didn’t mean to startle you, earlier.”
“You saved my life. Thank you.”
He chuckles. “My pleasure. Truly.”
My face flames, again. His impertinence about the fact that our tussle turned him on is roguishly charming.
“Shameless flirt,” I mutter.
“I’m just getting started, Sunshine.”
I roll my eyes. “Very funny, Tovian. The last thing on my mind is a random hookup, okay? I have to get to Oceanside.”
“Why?”
“There’s a war, in case you haven’t noticed.”
“The Ansi don’t make a habit of getting involved in other people’s wars. That’s why we make our home here in the Boscage, where few dare to venture.”
“Yet, you just got involved, by taking me to Oceanside.”
He half-turned to me, with a serious expression. “I said I’d take you there. I didn’t agree to anything more, Ari.”
I scowl. I’m no spy-assassin, like Lorcan is. Was.You’ve done everything you can for him; it’s in the Goddess Reila’s hands now.“Get me to the city and I’ll be in your debt.”
“In your debt,” Tovian echoes in disbelief. “You’re already in my debt, Sunshine. I saved your life.”
My mouth opens, but no protest comes out. Gnats swarmed. I bat ineffectively at them, choking and spitting elegantly. “Pestilential things,” I mumble, mentally including my rescuer. He’s a charmer, but he’s got a backbone. “I promise you’ll be rewarded.”
