“Fain’s words, not mine.” He took a deep breath as his eyes teased her playfully. “I wish I could keep you here against me, but the kids are waking.”

Which meant Darice would stroke if he caught them like this. She would say screw it, but didn’t want Dancer in trouble with Dariana.

Reluctantly, she withdrew from him and stood up just a few heartbeats before Darice came bounding out of the cave as if the little booger knew she was standing too close to his uncle.

I swear that little bastard has radar.

He gave them a suspicious look, but for once kept his mouth shut. “Is there any of that stew left from last night? It was good.”

Sumi tsked at him. “The surprise in your voice as you say that almost offends me.”

Darice grinned at her. “Yeah, but —”

“I’ll have it heated in a few minutes.”

Yelping in happy delight, he ran off toward the stream to wash and dress.

“Wow,” Sumi breathed at his uncharacteristic enthusiasm. “I had no idea it was that easy to reprogram his attitude. I should have made stew my first night.”

Dancer laughed. “They say the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. For Andarions, it’s even more true.”

“And here The League taught me that the quickest way to a man’s heart was through the chest cavity. Shows what they know, huh?”

With the sexiest smile she’d ever seen, Dancer scraped his fangs against his bottom lip. “I love it when you talk assassin to me.”

Laughing, she wrinkled her nose at him. “You’re so sick. Why am I so attracted to you?”

They both sobered as those words left her lips. For several heartbeats neither of them moved as the words hung heavy between them. And lit a fire in his eyes that made her heart quicken.

Finally, Sumi cleared her throat. “I know you’re pledged, Dancer. I didn’t mean to trespass.”

He looked away, but not before she saw the regret in his eyes. The sad torment. “I should check on Darice. He has all the hygiene of a wild torna.”

Sumi wanted to kick herself as she watched him walk away. Why did I say that? What is wrong with me?

She knew better. But something about Dancer sucked all her common sense out and made her forget everything, except the beauty that was a fierce Andarion male and her desire to make him laugh and smile.

Leaning her head back, she glared up at the sky. I swear I’m going to keep my hands away from him.

Her thoughts, too.

She had no choice. Even if she wasn’t here to gather evidence against him, she knew that there was no chance in hell for a future with him.