Page 18 of Dragon Unbound (Dragon Kings 3)
He couldn’t call her lass again. It was…it did crazy things to her. Made her insides feel as if they were all mixed up, and sent her blood rushing hotly through her veins.
His lips tilted in a lopsided grin as the distance between them lessened. “I’m going to save some bairns. Want to help?”
She walked the last few steps to find herself within arm’s length of him. Had he just said what she thought he did?
“Tamlyn?” he asked hesitantly as if she were addled.
She inwardly shook herself. “I heard you.”
“Then say something.”
“I’m not sure what to say.”
He chuckled softly, and damn if she didn’t find herself leaning toward him. Was he using some kind of magic? Why couldn’t she seem to think straight? Why was she so ecstatic that he was there?
“Och, I didna think I’d ever find you speechless.”
She blinked, completely absorbed by his voice. It didn’t matter what he said. It all sounded so…deliciously sensual.
“Lass, you’re beginning to worry me.”
His words, and the frown lining his face, snapped her out of her head. She cleared her throat and took a step back, only to move forward again. It was like she had to be near him. “You want my help?”
“Aye. I thought we established that already. Did you hit your head this morning during the battle?”
She jerked her chin up, affronted. “No.”
His brows drew together as he looked her over with his pale brown eyes. “You’re acting peculiar.”
Because of you,she barely admitted to herself. She certainly wouldn’t tell him. “I’m surprised to see you. Not to mention your statement.”
“Will you? Help me, that is?” he asked.
“You have no idea what you’re getting into. I wasn’t joking earlier. This could very well start a war.”
He shook his head before she finished. “That willna happen. It can no’ happen.”
“I don’t see how it won’t.”
“Leave that to me. I thought you wanted to save the kids.”
“I do,” she said tightly. “I have been.”
Cullen bowed his blond head to her. “Then let me help.”
This was the answer she needed. Tamlyn was sure of it. Still, she hesitated, unsure if this was the right thing to do. She hated those at Stonemore, especially the priests. They were cruel, brutal bastards who deserved a painful death. But who was she to decide that? She might get what she wanted and in turn bring about greater destruction than she wished.
“I’m going to do it one way or another,” Cullen said. “I’d like to work with you since you can show me where to go and what to do. It’ll be much better than me fumbling around.”
“I don’t think you’ve fumbled a day in your life,” she said without thinking.
That brought another smile to his face, this one slow and daring.
Tamlyn hastily looked away. She didn’t want to know what he was thinking. A laugh nearly burst from her lips at the outrageous lie. She desperately wanted to know what brought that sexy smile, but she was smart enough to keep her mouth closed.
Or maybe she was too much of a coward to get the answer.
“If I agree to this, we have to do things my way,” she said.
He nodded. “I’m in your world. I’ll follow your lead. I’ve promised my people that I willna start a war. I give you that same vow.”
She really hoped he held to his word. But she had other worries. She had Jenefer to deal with. Sian had already made her thoughts about Cullen known. So had Jenefer, and the Amazon wouldn’t be pleased that he was helping.
Tamlyn met his gaze. “How do I get in touch with you when I want to rescue a child?”
“I’ll be right here.”
