"No, she did not." Piripiri agrees easily. She's a good ten paces away, and has stopped, turning her head to look around at the forest. "The mask means a whole lot of things. Right now it means I am not my own creature, and have orders and a role to fulfill. And you know that. But I do want to talk, first, because I'm hoping here we can agree on something that works for us all." 

"I want you two to be happy. Genuinely! Come with me, quietly and willingly, and we'll simply be off the map for a few weeks, maybe a month or two. Lot of places three people can disappear to. You two won't have to worry about anybody hurting either of you while you're with me, and after the needed moves get made you both can simply be on your way. I can also make sure to teach you both some dragon-lore that I suspect neither of you got from your upbringing. Take a vacation in comfort, under my protection, and [i]not[/i] directly in the Red Wolf's custody. There's hunting lodges aplenty that nobles use only once every few years, I'll make sure we're burgling one of the jerks. Get to spend quiet time together, get to know each other better, with nobody after you, no pressure, no soldiers, nobody there you have to hide your true hearts from."

Her eyes are burning jade, locked on Lotus's as she takes a step forward, hands out to her sides in a question, an offer and an enticement. "I can make sure nobody gets hurt, and you both are safe and happy. All you have to do is kneel and obey, just for the moment. I promise. It'll even end up fun for you both." One eye winks at Lotus, and that, Han, is when you realize that she might not have aimed that offer at you.

[quote]Enticing Lotus with the promise of a good time, 8.[/quote]