"And so am I." Jak nodded when he saw Cyrus' surprised look.

Dru swallowed in a suddenly dry throat. "What?"

Jak's eyes seemed to catch and hold hers. "I'm a Truther, Dru. I know when someone is lying and when they're telling the truth." He smiled. "Go ahead. Test me."

She heard the challenge in his voice. "How?"

"Answer my questions." He crossed the small clearing to stand next to her. Dru started to step back but the horses were behind her. "Afraid?" he asked softly.

"Of course not," she snapped. "Go ahead." She looked up and met his eyes, their stormy gray depths framed by dark, thick lashes. She saw hesitation and uncertainty then he said, "Do you care what happens to Isbel?"

Dru shrugged. "Of course. She's my Half."

"Yes or no, please." Jak was so close she smelled his sweat and his warmth. His chest moved up and down in his camouflage shirt. The expanse of it filled her vision.

"Yes."

"Truth." He sounded triumphant.

"That was easy. Of course I care what happens to Isbel. She's a member of the family." Dru started to turn away.

Jak put a hand on her shoulder. Dru shivered when his fingers moved slowly upward, touching the bare skin of her neck.

"Did you love Rafil?" His words were so soft she barely heard them.

Dru blinked at him, surprised. "Rafil? Of course not."

His fingers spread apart slightly, caressing the back of her neck. Dru leaned into his touch. It would be so nice if he'd massage my shoulders. I've been so tense and tight these last few daes. I wish … She closed her eyes, sighing.

"Truth," he whispered. "Dru?"

Dru opened her eyes. Jak was very close, their bodies touching. She leaned forward, a sudden memory of him naked filling her vision. "Yes?" Her eyes were drawn to his lips, almost hidden by his newly grown beard. The brown, bushy growth would tickle if he raked it across her bare breasts. Imagine...

"Did you love Rafil?" he whispered.

Dru leaned into his touch. "No," she whispered in return. She leaned closer, feeling the lean muscles of his legs, the delicious and insistent touch of his maleness. He was aroused. She felt it through their clothing. "Jak," she murmured. Jak's eyes held hers and she was drowning in the love she saw there. "Jak."

Then his focus shifted. He slowly raised his head and looked beyond her.

"What is it?" Dru asked, edging closer to him, anxious to feel his chest on her breasts.

Jak put his arm around her shoulders and moved her, stepping in front of her as he looked toward the forest that surrounded them. "I believe we have company."