“Stop apologizing, Alisa,” Margaret interrupted. “You told me all that when you called to tell me you were on your way.” She gave her a quick hug. “Nothing happened here that I couldn’t handle myself, and you accomplished a hell of a lot more by bringing Novak to the table.” She turned to Korgan. “But you’d better make sure those riders you’re appropriating from Samlir are damn good. That cliff passage I found is narrow and dangerous. It’s not much more than a ledge. The horses could end up going off it in at least two places if they get nervous or don’t trust their rider.”

“They’re good. The council guaranteed them,” Korgan said. “And I hope we won’t have to use that passage if I can figure out what else I could do to nullify the threat.”

“Sasha didn’t think that would be possible,” Alisa said sharply. “She asked me to do this.”

“And we will. Don’t be defensive. I realize you gave Sasha your word. But I’ve told you before sometimes there’s more than one way. Go check out that cliff passage with Margaret and see what you think.”

“I will.” She turned away. Then she whirled back to him. “What are you going to do?”

He smiled. “Not anything that’s going to alter your promise to Sasha. Stop being so suspicious. I believe you’ve found that everything I do for you is only aimed at giving you pleasure. Isn’t that true?”

His body moving above her, his hands…

“Isn’t it?” he repeated softly.

“There have been times you’ve made your own choices about what you think would make me happy,” she said dryly. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to go make a few phone calls and arrangements. With Novak on board, we’ll be moving forward at top speed. He said he was going to pick up personnel and equipment from his base in Maldara. I have to have Vogel mobilize our team and get them here.” He added, “And the equipment I’ll be bringing will be those drones I have to deliver to Samlir and also any other explosives that we left at the base camp. I’ll probably only have today to get it done because I’d bet Novak will be at Samlir tomorrow and he’ll want me there to help solidify his position with the council and citizens.” He paused. “Make sense? Satisfied?”

She nodded. “Yes, I’m satisfied.”

“Excellent.” His smile had a hint of recklessness. “I’m not at all satisfied at the moment, but I’ll get there eventually. It’s clear I’ll just have to be patient.” He started moving down the path. “I’ll see you both later.”

Margaret stared after him and murmured, “He doesn’t appear to be as pleased with the progress as you are. Did he do something wrong at Samlir?”