“You can put your clothes back,” I tell him, and I turn away so I’m not tempted to keep staring at him.
“Can Imove?” he growls.
“Fuck. Yes, of course.”
Roiven shrugs back into the thin green tunic and trousers. Savacomes back in and lands, and I turn to watch. The blast of air from her wings is so strong it makes my eyes tear up and my ears ache. I sit down quickly on one of the rocks.
I know it’s my only way of getting back home, but am I really going to free this prisoner and let him and a dragon as big as Sava go free? If only there was a way I could get word to Harfor or one of the Hellions. If they could set a trap, or be waiting at the Bluff. And then maybe Harfor would believe I’m human.
But if they see me flying in on a dragon… they won’t understand. And they won’t give me a chance to explain.
“Do we have a deal?” Roiven says. I look up to see Sava tuck her black wings in tight and rest her head down. One of the dragon’s massive inky eyes is fixed on me.
“I don't trust you.”
“Thenyouname the terms.”
I hesitate, nervous I'll say the wrong thing and find myself in a trap.
“I want to go back to the Bluff. At night. If we land on the northern rockfield, nobody will see us.” The island should be empty, but just in case.
“Your people left,” Roiven says stiffly. “You want to go backthere? Wouldn’t somewhere else be better?”
“Somewhere populated? I'm sure they’ll welcome me with open arms if I show up on dragonback,” I say, lips pursing.
I’ll have to take a fishing boat, or wait for someone to arrive to fix the enchantment. But the very fact the Bluff should be empty is a point in its favor.
“There have to be other unguarded isles…”
“I want to go to the Bluff.”
Roiven glances at Sava. Then his head jerks in a nod.
“Fine.”
“I’ll remove the obedience after we get there. But only if you can still truthfully swear you’re planning to leave without hurtinganyone else or dragging me away again.” It’s the best security I can come up with.
Roiven frowns at me and folds his arms over his chest.
“I want it all gone. The whole thing.”
“And I want a fleet of Hellions and a nice hot meal. Once I take the obedience off, no knight will be able to command you.”
“That’s no deal at all.”
“Listen.” I shake my head. “It’ll probably take everything I have just to break that one little piece, and I’ll be too drained to keep going. Do you know how long it would take for me to remove all the enchantments? Of course, if you want to spend all month here with me…”
It would probably take more like a week. But they don’t need to know that. I hold my breath. I don’t want to free him from anything I don’t have to.
“One day. Not a month,” Roiven growls.
“Then like I said. Take me to the Bluff and I’ll take the part that makes you obey me.”
Roiven shifts his weight, then unfolds his arms to run his hands through his hair. Agitation screams through every line of his body.
“If Savasaeirn kills you, I am no longer bound to your commands anyways. You offer nothing.”
“It makes you obeyanyknight. Killing me won't break the enchantment.”