Read Dangerous Talents for Free Online

base to preserve it. May I continue?”
    Cele nodded, feeling ashamed. She’d assumed these people were ignorant and primitive because they carried swords and leather waterskins. Ghav’s explanation reminded her she shouldn’t measure things here by old familiar yardsticks.
    The brown ointment was cool but warmed as Ghav rubbed it in. It absorbed quickly, leaving only a slight sheen from the oil base. “This will also keep the scabs from cracking and splitting,” the Healer said as he finished. He rose, just as Sorn returned. “Lady Celia is well, and her wounds aren’t deep. She needs rest more than anything else, now.”
    “That, and more water,” Cele interjected.
    “I’ll make sure you get both,” Sorn said, offering her a hand to rise.
    He’d refilled his waterskins while she’d been with Ghav. He handed one to her. “So, my lady, you would fight us all?” Sorn gave her a teasing grin. “I will sleep sounder tonight, knowing I have a warrior of such prowess at my back.”
    Cele tensed. Was he mocking her? But there was no malice in Sorn’s twinkling eyes. Her anger evaporated and she chuckled in spite of herself.
    Sorn took a good bit of time smoothing the ground and whisking away pebbles. The men not on watch grinned at his meticulous preparations as they doubled up to share their blankets. His efforts flung a bit of grit too far and struck one man on the back of the neck. The man startled and growled, “It’s not a bridal bower, Sorn. Leave off.”
    Cele was practically asleep on her feet when Sorn finally spread the blanket, sat down at the edge, and pulled off his boots. He pulled a second blanket over himself and flipped the corner up so she could crawl in next to him. Suddenly, Cele was wide awake again. Sorn had been nothing but kind. He’d made no sexual overtures, given her no lustful looks, but she still felt awkward about lying next to him.
    Cele sat down on the far edge of the blanket and began unlacing her hiking boots. She didn’t hurry. Maybe he’d doze off as quickly as the other men had. Cele heard him shift behind her and when she turned to look, she saw with relief he’d turned his back to her. She took her time unlacing her other boot. Sorn hadn’t moved. He was probably asleep already. Carefully, Cele lay down as far away from him as she could and gingerly pulled the blanket over herself. Soon the men’s soft snores were complementing the desert’s own night-song. Sorn remained still. She relaxed and her pulse began to return to normal.
    “You must leave room for Lord Dahleven, my lady,” Sorn said softly. “It will be cold when his watch ends and he’ll want his share of the blankets.”
    Cele tensed again, but she knew he was right. Slowly, she inched toward him. She lay curled on her side facing away from Sorn’s back, but she stopped short of actually touching him.
    Sorn made a noise but didn’t say anything.
    Despite her nerves, it felt wonderful to lie down. Sorn had done a good job of smoothing the ground. His warmth crept between the blankets and gradually enveloped her, soothing her tired muscles. She was much more comfortable than she’d been the night before, but sleep wouldn’t come.
    She wasn’t surprised. It had taken her a long time to be comfortable with Jeff, her ex. She had even less reason to relax now. And though they hadn’t hurt her, and had even been gruffly kind, she didn’t know these men.
    All around her, the desert night noises chirped and rustled, accompanied by the soft snores of the men. The stars turned silently overhead. Sorn breathed evenly. Eventually, the last two days of fear and worry, sun and exhaustion, took their toll.
    Cele jerked awake, heart pounding. For a panicked moment she didn’t know where she was. She lay curled around a warm body and someone had just moved close behind her. Cele’s pulse pounded in alarm.
    Memory returned as Dahleven fitted himself to her contours, trapping her front and back. He brought the