Twisted Metal Heart - Eve Langlais Page 0,60
often we don’t hate each other.”
“I don’t hate you.”
She didn’t hate him, either. “Obviously. That was either courageous or stupid the way you attacked the pond monster last night.”
“I wasn’t about to let it hurt you.”
“But you didn’t give a thought to yourself.” She tilted her head back and glanced at his face, the strong line of his jaw showing a bristling shadow.
“Guess I figured you were more important.”
“I am,” she said with a grin. “But that’s not the point. You don’t have to do heroic things. I’d rather you stay alive.”
“Me too. But I can’t always stop myself.” He winked.
That brought a curve to her lips. She moved out of his arms. “Thanks for driving last night. I was a little out of it.” Which bothered her. She knew better than to show vulnerability.
“I didn’t do it just for you. I did technically escape. We both needed to make some tracks between us and the city.”
“Have a plan yet? Where are we going?”
“After we see the ocean, who knows.” He shrugged.
She eyed the tall trees, just past them, the bluffs. Two choices then, north or south. North was the unresponsive Diamond Demesne with its deadly fog, which, without proper equipment, was a suicidal choice. Meaning only one place to go, south, following the edge to Sapphire City. She’d seen it once before. Someone like her with something to trade could somewhat move between the cities if she dared to use the hidden roads and didn’t mind being in danger. She preferred the smaller towns, not quite as big as a city, the prices of their goods less inflated.
“I could help return you to your friends.” Last time they were together, he’d spoken often of going back home.
He shook his head. “I doubt they’ll still be in the same place by the time I get there. According to Gunner, who was in prison with me, they took over an Incubaii Dome.”
She stared. “Another one was lost?”
He frowned. “What do you mean another one?”
“The Enclave’s grip in the Emerald Kingdom is slipping. The revolts are getting larger.”
“Because a revolution is coming.”
She shook her head. “More like a massacre. The queen won’t let them keep the dome they caught. If she can’t oust them, she’ll burn it to the ground.”
“You can’t be sure of that.”
“She’s done it before.”
“She needs to be stopped.”
“I know,” she said softly.
Titan shoved her out of the way a moment before the cocobutt hit the ground where she’d previously stood. The smell of it was actually pleasant, but that wasn’t why she smiled.
“You saved me.” She was so used to taking care of herself that she was a little surprised by the way she enjoyed his protectiveness with her. He wasn’t programmed to protect her. He wanted to do it.
Kind of baffling, but only if she ignored the fact she had the same feeling about him. If he were in danger, she’d act.
Ugh.
She’d allowed herself to like him.
“I’m not just a pretty face.”
The remark drew her laughter. “No, you’re not. You’re not half bad, although I don’t know if I’d say your only skill is as a killer.”
He grimaced. “Don’t be so sure. Back at Haven, I sucked at cooking and fixing shit. I’m what you call grunt labor. Digger of trenches, carrier of big heavy boxes, and first line of defense if shit goes wrong.”
“I shall be sure to call for you when I need furniture moved.”
“Here we are talking about me, making me realize that, other than the fact you’re a princess, I don’t know much about you.”
“What you see is what you get.”
“I see a beautiful woman.”
The compliment shouldn’t have flustered, and yet her cheeks heated, and she almost ducked her head. “I am more than a pretty face or a brood mare. I’m Aunimaa, master of metal psionics.”
“Which sounds pretentious. You should go for radioactive sorceress.”
“Isn’t that a witch?”
“Much more awesome, though,” he said with a smile.
“I guess you would know, Tin Man.”
He grimaced. “Not my choice.”
“I guess it could have been worse. They could have gone with Grumpy.”
“I am not grumpy.” He shifted, his tone annoyed.
“Says the man frowning right now,” she teased. And waited to see what he’d do. A person should be able to handle a little teasing. She’d known too many who lost their temper at simple jests. Her own mother being a prime example.
“You know, there’s a way you can turn my frown upside down.” He winked and was utterly brazen.
She stared at him. A pulsing began between her