"Let go of me."

Sky kept on walking, dragging her along. He was strong, but Just had taught her how to fight the Savages. Those monsters were stronger than even Sky Turan.

Vilicia let him lead her outside before she acted. She tugged at her arm and when he pulled her forward she suddenly threw all her weight against his back.

Turan fell forward, taken completely by surprise, but he didn't let go of her arm to save himself from falling. They both tumbled to the grass.

Unfortunately, the ground sloped away from them. They rolled over and over until they landed in a heap at the bottom. Vilicia grunted as Turan's weight came down on top of her. He cursed.

"Why did you do that for, you little demon!"

"Who do you think you are, you bag of swamp weed? What made you think you could drag me around like a milk goat?"

"I was trying to get you out of there. I was doing you a favor."

"A favor?" Vilicia squirmed, trying to dislodge him. He was leaning on his hands with his legs straddling her hips. "Get off me, clumsy oaf."

"Are you coming with me peacefully?"

"I know my way back. Get up and then get away."

She struggled some more, but Sky was too heavy despite his lean look. Both moons were above the horizon so Vilicia could see his face. His mouth was set in a stubborn line and his eyes glinted with emotion.

"I'm taking you to your cabin one way or another."

The nerve of him. "You don't order me, Turan. This is your last chance. You're getting off of me, one way or another."

"Not until you promise..."

She'd had enough. She swung her fist toward his temple. He blocked it, but she already had her other one moving. He ducked enough so she only dealt him a glancing blow.

"Hell cat!" Sky growled more words Vilicia assumed were curses because she'd heard Just say some of them.

Vilicia managed to land three more strikes, none of them damaging, before he captured her wrists. He leaned his weight forward and and pressed her hands into the soft grass over her head.

Sky sucked in a deep breath. His head rang, and his thoughts were fuzzy. How much of that was from being hit and how much was the result of the svelte body struggling beneath he couldn't determine.

"Lie still," he snarled, angry at her and himself. Damn his randy body.

Vilicia glared at him, breathing in short angry pants. He couldn't help himself. He dropped his gaze to her chest. As he'd feared, their struggles had pulled her neck line even lower. How did she wield a sword with those in the way?

"I'm not trying to order you around," Sky said.

"Please get off of me," Vilicia said in a tight voice.

He held her gaze with his own as he slowly released her hands and sat up. Still straddling her hips, Sky hesitated. He knew he should do as she asked, but his body didn't want to obey. She felt so good beneath him.

Calling on a self discipline he hadn't had to use since he was a young man, Sky stood up. It had been months since he'd lost himself in a woman's body, but that didn't explain his callow response to this woman. A woman he didn't trust or even like.

Vilicia sat up, her movement cautious as she kept her glare fixed on him. Sky offered her his hand and after a moment she accepted it. She rose smoothly, her strength and athleticism obvious in her graceful movement.

Sky forced himself to admit this entire fiasco was his fault. He took a deep breath. At least his body was calming down as he contemplated the unpleasant act of apologizing. "I'm sorry. My mind was on that sea snake, Speece, and I didn't listen to you. I didn't mean to push you around or ignore your wishes."

Vilicia gave him a sidelong glance as she brushed at her dress. It was difficult to tell in the moonlight, but Sky guessed the tumble down the hill had soiled the soft cotton. "Are you all right?"

She nodded. "Are you?"

"Takes more than a few slaps from a girl to hurt me."

"I'm sure you have lots of opportunities to build up a tolerance. Did you even meet a woman who didn't end up hitting you?"