Cry Of War

"Are you being serious?" Esme blinked in stupefaction. "Can you look for ways to tease me when we're past this. This is certainly not the time for that."

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Donovan folded his arms, his expression unyielding, despite the seriousness in her voice. "You want me to help Lennox of all people. What makes you so certain I won't kill him instead? If that king of yours wakes up and sees me, the first thing he'll do is try to kill me again, meanwhile I'm the one trying to save his life. At least give your mate some motivation."

"There's no time for that," Esme replied, her voice faltering as she struggled to stay firm, but Donovan wasn't buying it.

"Then you'd better hurry," he retorted instead, leaving Esme with no choice but to reluctantly concede to his absurd demands.