Chapter 6 · Are you flirting with me?

She looked at him. "Are you flirting with me?"

His expression went blank.

The chain gave a faint tug.

Lia's mouth curved. "That was almost a lie."

"It wasn't."

"Then what was it?"

"A warning."

"About my pulse?"

"About what happens if you keep pushing me."

His hand slid from her wrist to her palm. Warm fingers closed over hers, stopping the needle halfway through the next stitch.

The masked woman shouted, "You have one minute before I bring the guards back!"

Cael's focus snapped toward the voice.

Lia used the distraction to drive her elbow into his ribs.

He grunted and released her.

She finished the stitch, tied the thread, and slapped a strip of cloth over the wound.

"Done," she said.

Cael looked at the bandage. "That's your medical work?"

"You're alive. Try gratitude."

"You could have made it cleaner."

"You could have stayed still."

He rose too fast.

The contract flared. Lia was dragged upright with him, her shoulder hitting his chest.