***
Ranealya sighed and pressed her head against the damp cave wall. Dawn was approaching. She was still too weak to shift into any intimidating form, although she might be able to try something small, and there was nothing in this cave she could use as a weapon if he attacked her. Part of her knew she would have to kill him for seeing her in her natural form -- humans should never have that kind of knowledge of shape-shifters -- but she hesitated. If he knew what she was, why had he gone through all the trouble to heal her?
Complicating matters was the way he stared at her as if she was a normal woman and not a fur-covered monstrosity. Even members of her own family had turned their backs on her when they saw what she’d become, calling her the cursed one. When she remembered the intensity of Gregor’s gaze, though, it almost took her breath away. No man had ever had this kind of effect on her. Why him?
Regardless of anything else, she was indebted to him for saving her life, and the idea left a bitter taste in her mouth. She may be little more than a beast, but she still remembered the code of behavior she’d followed before she’d been changed into what she was now. If his life was ever in danger, she was obligated to defend him.
She would spare him for now and see what he did. Yes, it may be breaking the rules to watch and wait but if he meant what he said about not wanting others to discover her, though, her secret might be safe with him. If he told others, his life would forfeit.
But she refused to remain his prisoner.
A Thread of Magic Page 12
