Page 122 of In Violent Waves

He had half a mind to kick her out of the carriage and journey on without her, but that would no doubt see him being dragged back to the castle by his father’s personal guard.

So instead, he bit his tongue and gazed outside. A few days trapped with her and her questions would be worth it for the freedom he so desperately wanted. He could handle this. Could handle her.

“Now, you said it sings to your blood. What’s that like?”

His jaw quivered under the strain, and only after he had counted to five and breathed slowly could he answer.

“I think it’s pretty self-explanatory.”

She arched an eyebrow.

“I don’t even know how to describe it,” he ground out. “It’s euphoric.”

“Interesting,” she muttered.

“You think so?” he asked, tilting his head.

“No, not at all. I was trying to be pleasant,” she replied with a smile.

He chuckled and felt the irritation leave him.

“I appreciate your candor.”

Her smile broadened, and he was struck mute by her. She really was stunning when she wasn’t trying to irritate him on purpose. But there was a small joy in that, too. She pushed him, challenged him in a way no one had before with her quick wit, and he found that sometimes he might even admire it.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked, her brow furrowing again.

“I’m thinking …” he stumbled out. “How about a truce? If only for our tour, so that we can both enjoy our small slice of freedom.”

Lyra leaned forward and gripped the edge of her seat. “What kind of truce?”

“I promise to answer all of your questions. Nicely—might I add? If you can promise not to intentionally annoy me.”

She pursed her lips, and he could see the wheels of her mind spinning.

“So you’re agreeing to be pleasant company if I can promise to do the same?”

He nodded. “Exactly.”

“Like … friends?”

He continued to nod and now even smirked. “Yes. We can be friends.”

Her emerald eyes flared like sea glass before narrowing on him. “Why is this so important to you?”

He huffed and leaned back. “Like I said—I very rarely get free time. So, doing whatever I want for several days instead of following the multitude of orders my father doles out—well, it’s not something I want to pass up. So yes, I will be your friend if you will allow me to just enjoy this.”

She had been glaring at him until he said “freedom,” and then her gaze softened like she, too, understood what that meant.

“Fine. I understand the desire for freedom.”

Wilder extended a hand out to her, and she took it. A light buzzing tingled over his flesh, but he ignored it and shook her hand, just once. When he let go, so did she, but of course, she went one step further and wiped her hand on the seat, making a face.

He sighed. “You’re not off to a good start.”

She froze and looked down at her hand before grimacing. “Sorry—old habit.”

He laughed, and she looked up in shock before chuckling alongside him.