the fields spread out before us. Dozens of tents sat on the farm—dogs, cats running around, horses grazing leisurely, some sheep and cattle off in the distance. In the center was a huge stone campfire, unlit, but still surrounded by the comings and goings of the Iavii.
“Come on,” the man demanded and pushed me ahead. We strode past a few tents, and people stopped to stare. Eventually he brought us to a halt outside a small tent made from blue, purple, and red patchwork.
The dagger fell away from my throat.
“Vrik,” a soft, husky voice called, and we all turned as a dark-haired beauty sauntered over to us. Her hips swished her drab skirts back and forth. Her worn blouse and gray skirt did nothing to detract from her loveliness. My spine stiffened in insult as she instantly dismissed me. She turned to Wolfe, and her eyes narrowed in appreciation as she dragged her gaze down his body and back up again. “These are the two?” she asked without taking her eyes off Wolfe.
The man behind me answered so I assumed he was Vrik. “Yes. Selena wants to see them.”
She nodded, eyeing Wolfe like he was a meal. “Can I have this one, Vrik, when ye’re done with him?”
My heart picked up pace as Wolfe stared back at her, expressionless.
Vrik snorted. “Scarla, we haven’t even sent the message off to Javinia that we have them. A little patience, please.”
She flashed her black, cat-shaped eyes at him. “But I want him.”
“I’m sure the lad will be more than happy to see to ye when we reach an agreement with Markiza Raven. But until then, he’s a prisoner and off limits.”
Scarla pouted and reached out to trail a hand down Wolfe’s chest. “I’m not happy about this, Vrik. Perhaps I should speak with Papa?”
“Papa will tell ye the same thing. Now leave, Scarla.”
So these two ill-mannered beings were siblings?
Scarla huffed and then went up onto her tiptoes to whisper in Wolfe’s ear. Whatever she said caused a manly blush across the crest of Wolfe’s cheeks. My heart thumped and I glanced away, gritting my teeth.
When Scarla left, Vrik grabbed my arm and thrust me into the tent. The men holding Wolfe did the same with my companion.
My eyes adjusted to the dimness of the tiny tent and I started at the sight of the older woman before us. The interior was bare; grass beneath my feet, the only piece of furniture a stunning library desk that would have looked more at home in a study at the palace. The old woman sat behind it.
“Here ye are, Selena. Our prisoners.” Vrik pushed me to her, and I caught myself on the desk. “Let us know if ye see anything that’ll tell us about any future land agreements we may come to with that damn Rada.”
Selena looked at him with a bland expression, as if he were below her interest. “Take the girl outside. I wish to speak with the boy first.”
As I was dragged past Wolfe, I threw him a questioning look. But he was focused solely on Selena. Who an earth was this woman? What was going on?
Outside, I found myself discomfited by the Iavii and their curious stares. I turned so my back was facing camp. Vrik watched me, his arms crossed over his chest.
“What’s going on?” I asked, more than a little impatient now.
“Be quiet.”
“Who is Selena?”
“I said, be quiet.”
“You know you’re really rather impertinent.”
The beast bared his teeth. “And ye are getting on my last nerve, Princezna.”
Trying to pretend that his animal behavior didn’t bother me, I sniffed. “I’m not a princezna.”
He made a face. “Ye look and act it.”
I do not, I huffed. I think all in all, I had been taking my kidnapping extremely well. Especially considering the terrible memories it brought back of being carted off by Wolfe’s father. I hardened in remembrance. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
Vrik raised an eyebrow and then he had the audacity to grin. “Ye might be fun after all, Princezna.”
Before I could offer a disgusted retort, Wolfe was shoved out of the tent by the two Iavii at his back.
“What happened?” I asked, moving to him. Vrik gripped my arm and wrenched me away.
Wolfe snarled at him and then turned to me. “Nothing. The old woman is useless.”
One man walloped Wolfe across the head.
“Hey!” I yelled in outrage at the offending clansman and was rewarded with a bewildered look from Wolfe as I was pushed back into the tent.
“Anything?” Vrik asked