Free Mercy by Eleri Stone Page A

know your own people better.”
    “Your uncles told you to submit,” he said in a flat voice.
    She couldn’t deny it. She nodded stiffly. “As a distraction. But you know that I want you. You said so yourself. Submission is very different from desire.”
    “And my inferior blood?” There was something sharp in his tone. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought it was hurt.
    She should not have to explain this. Any Yaguara would understand it. Gabriel had spent too much time in the human world. It had dulled his instincts. “You defeated me. I’d never lost, Gabriel. Not one match until you. You are strong, cunning, powerful. I am not ashamed to mate with you. I would lay down for you wherever you asked it.”
    His eyes shifted away from her then quickly back. He seemed shocked. But that didn’t last for long. She could tell when that shock turned into wary speculation.
    “You say that we value strength but you don’t really understand what that means, not for me, not for you or for the people you’re trying to help.”
    He grunted and cocked his head. “Are you going to tell me again how impossible my plans are?”
    She shook her head. “They’re not impossible.”
    “So a couple of quick fucks and you’re ready to change sides?” he drawled. “I’ve been going about this campaign the wrong way.”
    “Fine,” she snapped, turning away. Why was he determined to be thickheaded? She was only trying to help him. “Don’t accept my help.”
    ***
    Gabriel watched Iada stalk away from him, her movements stiff and jerky. She turned back after two steps, skin flushed, eyes flashing. God, she was terrifying, fierce and beautiful. As much a force of nature as the river flowing behind her.
    “I’m going with you to learn about your people,” she said, voice trembling. “You need to learn about mine too, king.” She spat out the last word like a curse and then turned on her heel.
    Gabriel muttered a curse under his breath. He didn’t know why he’d mocked her except that he’d been certain she was lying. This fierce warrior told him that he was strong and cunning and suddenly he could feel all his defenses against her falling away. Then she tried to warn him off again and he thought he saw her angle. Flatter the mutant, distract him with a willing female body, slide a knife between his ribs when he wasn’t looking. She turned her head to look down the river and he could see her hurt in the tightness around her eyes, the compression of her lips to a thin straight line.
    “Iada,” he called out, walking toward her.
    She turned and planted her feet, lifting her face to watch him approach. Could it be true what she’d said about him? He could ask her to repeat it but he wouldn’t believe it any more if she told him a second time. She’d told him herself that he would be a fool to trust in a handful of pretty words. Still…
    He took her hand. Her fingers were cold and kept trying to curl up into a fist. He pressed his thumb against her palm and met her glare. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I spoke harshly.”
    She went very still. He wasn’t sure that she was even breathing. She was watching him with a curious mixture of wariness and wonder, like he was some exotic new species of venomous snake. He had the strong impression that no one had ever apologized to her before.
    He pulled her closer, couldn’t resist brushing her cheek with the backs of his knuckles. Her skin was so smooth. He watched as the golden color darkened with a faint flush. He felt again that he was skirting a dangerous ledge. “If you’re willing to offer your help in any way, I’ll take it.”
    She gave him a curt nod and turned away toward the river again.
    ***
    Iada looked at the water so she wouldn’t have to look into Gabriel’s eyes and see the warmth there. He still didn’t trust her, not really, but she could tell distrust did not come naturally to him. He was direct, honest and compassionate and she could feel