Amazon Companion by Robin Roseau Read Free Book Online

talked to her and she has offered to serve me well."
    "How lucky for you," I replied.
    "Yes," she said. "I agree with you, although I understand if you are currently feeling very human about the situation."
    I was, but my anger was no longer directed at her.
    "I have no immediate intentions of slipping a knife through your ribs," I told her.
    She laughed, then she realized I wasn't laughing with her. "Oh. You're serious."
    "Isn't that what war captives and slaves dream of? Sliding a knife between the ribs of their captors? Especially those captives who are to be killed at the end of the journey?"
    She cocked her head. "Why would you think that?"
    "Don't be a fool. Your queen isn't going to want me, and she is a fool if she trusts me. The Amazons declared war when they raided our village, and maybe no one else is going to lift a finger, but no one believes I will not. And she is a fool if she does."
    "It's not war!" she said. "Well, it is, but it's all of us against the demons."
    "I have never seen a demon in my life," I said, "and do not know if I believe they exist. But if they do exist, I do not believe they threaten Gallen's Cove. I do not believe you have the right to take us by threat of force, or in my case, by actual force. Do I look like I am here willingly?"
    She stared at me. "I understand why Nori is keeping you gagged."
    "People don't always like having the truth pointed out to them. It can be very uncomfortable."
    "If you are able to confound Nori, I'm not going to even attempt to reason with you," Ravi said. "I came to tell you that even though you embarrassed me, it was really my own fault, and you have nothing to fear from me. Do I need to fear you?"
    "If you get between me and freedom, you do. If I see you abuse any young girls, you might. Otherwise, no."
    She smiled. "I'm glad Nori didn't let me use steel. It would have been a shame to kill you."
    "I'm sure it's far more enjoyable to see my punishment for standing up to you."
    She didn't respond but stood up, not replacing my gag.
    Nori joined me later, once the fire was dying. "Did you manage to remove the gag yourself?"
    "Riva."
    "Ah."
    "Did I just get her into trouble?"
    "No." She paused. "Were you hoping you had?"
    "Curious."
    I contemplated riling her up again, but I knew I'd pay more than she would. Instead I asked her, "Are the stories they tell true?"
    "Some are more true than others," Nori admitted. "All are based on truth."
    "You allow them to tell stories about you. They are not always flattering."
    "If I can make mistakes due to lack of diligence, consider how important it is for a mere mortal to remain diligent."
    I couldn't help myself. I laughed. Nori seemed surprised by my reaction. I sobered. "If I promise to behave will you untie my arms?"
    "No."
    "You could tie my hands in front of me. I might think more kindly of you, and two months from now when you have relaxed your diligence, maybe I won't go out of my way to slit your throat on my way to freedom."
    It was her turn to laugh. "No."
    "Why not? It's not like I can escape. And if you can't tie my hands in a fashion I can't untie, you're incompetent."
    "It's not that I can't tie your hands again. It's that I am not convinced you do not breathe fire and could burn the ropes off if they were before you."
    I looked over at her. She was smirking. "You're not worried I'll breathe fire in the middle of the night, bringing the tent down around us?"
    "I hadn't thought of that," she said. "Perhaps you should sleep out here."
    I turned away from her, frustrated. "I hurt, Nori."
    "You'll live," she said.
    I tried another tack. "Your queen will not be impressed at the way you treat her gift."
    "Maybe you're nothing but a bounty of war."
    I looked back at her. She was still smirking.
    "You are an ungracious captor."
    She frowned. "I am sorry. I was trying to lighten the mood."
    " Actions speak louder than words. You could lighten the strain in my shoulders or at least offer a real reason for your