Narrow-eyed, wary, he tried to read her face through the masking veil. His nerves all at once were like groping tendrils, so sharply tuned his whole body ached with tension.
He said: "Let me hear the price before I answer."
"It is not high...."
"Let me hear it!"
The ripe lips parted. Her sleek, voluptuous body seemed to reach out to his till, eerily, it was almost as if he could feel it pressed against him.
She said: "Never before you have I met a man with fire to match my own, blue warrior! Always, my lovers fawned and flattered, whimpering phrases that were half fear, half weakness."
"The price!"
"But you—you waded through your own blood to find me! You would have taken me by force! You dared to strike me down!"
She came to her feet in one lithe movement. Her voice took on new vibrance.
"You still may have me, warrior—both me, and my secrets! I'll give them gladly, if I can only share your destiny, travel with you...."