Finally, however, the night before the cruise, Victory knew she had to tell him. As he woke, she told him of her brother’s plans, and how they would be faking her death on the cruise. “I’ll be going with you to your village,” Victory said. Then, when he hesitated, mid-yawn, to blink at her, she quickly explained, “Just as long as it takes for my brother to bring my father to justice.” Dragomir raised an eyebrow of disbelief. “You would go as my slave?” “I would wear a collar for show,” she said, flushing. “I am not a slave.” Dragomir chuckled and leaned back against the bed, crossing his dark, native arms over his muscular native chest. “Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?” Victory felt her face redden. “I would never demean myself so, if not in the name of keeping up the illusion.” He watched her for some time. “Do you trust me?” Dragomir asked finally, scanning her face. Victory’s mouth fell open. Of course she didn’t trust him. “I’ll pay you well, once I’ve been instated as the next Adjudicator.”
