Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 58483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Veck. How has everyone already fallen for her?
This is unacceptable. Don’t they understand that she might still be a threat to Zandia?
I will have to put an end to this.
* * *
Taisha
My palms sweat as I sit in a waiting area in the capital of Zandia, under heavy guard. I am to be seen by King Zander, who will determine my fate.
The warrior who guards me, a Zandian who appears a bit younger than Drayk, tells me not to worry, that King Zander is just and kind.
I have to believe him.
If he’s wrong, Leylah sent me here for no reason. I can’t believe she would make a mistake like that.
As I sit, my mind keeps going back to Drayk, the mighty captain. Where has he gone? Will I see him again?
I was angered by his mistrust, but now, sitting here alone, I wish he were the warrior guarding me. Wish he would accompany me to my visit with the king. I have to believe he would advocate for my freedom after the way I helped with his mission.
After the way he touched me.
But maybe I’m wrong. Maybe it’s normal for Zandians to give sexual pleasure to their prisoners and then disappear.
Stars.
I drop my head into my hands.
I’m so off-balance here I don’t know my head from my feet.
Chapter 10
Zander
I flip my daughter Kaylar upside down and tickle her as she shrieks and screams with delight. Her brother Zander darts in to add a few tickles, too, while all the palace staff look on with smiles.
I flip her back up and toss her high into the air.
Too high for Lamira’s comfort. She holds her breath beside me and grips my arm.
I catch the tot and toss her to my shoulders, grinning at my mate. “Did you think I would drop her?”
“Just because you can throw her through the skylights doesn’t mean you should,” she complains. She’s smiling, though.
“I could throw you that high, too. Would you like to try?” I catch her waist and lift her off the ground.
She shrieks and I put her down, laughing.
One of my guards clears his throat. “My lord, Captain Drayk requests an audience.”
Lamira reaches for Kaylar, swinging our cherubic young to her hip with graceful ease. Kaylar smiles, reaching for me, her big brown-purple eyes bright. She has her mother’s copper curls, but they appear a deeper red against her lavender skin. “More!”
“Sorry, baby. Your father has work to do,” Lamira chirps.
I reach for my mate’s hand as she turns away. Pull her back into me. “Sleep when Kaylar sleeps,” I advise.
Her lips curve into a naughty smile. “I don’t think I will,” she whispers. “I’m feeling a bit disobedient.”
My cock thickens and I have to twitch my tunic to hide the bulge. “Then you’ll be going to bed with a red, hot ass tonight, little slave.” I tug on her jewel-encrusted collar.
She winks as she turns away. “Counting on it.” I watch as she and our young leave the Great Hall, then sit on the dais to hear my warrior’s report. I already heard report of their mission from my Master of Arms, Seke, but I can guess why Drayk is here now.
Drayk enters, his large shoulders square and tense.
Yes. I’m sure of it now. I’d recognize the effect of a human female on one of my warriors anywhere.
They transform from calm, solid, unemotional war machines to violent, protective and often overwrought beings. And the confusion that accompanies that change can be challenging.
“My lord.” Drayk bows low.
I incline my head. “Congratulations on your missions. I understand you were successful with both.”
His skin turns a shade darker purple. “Thank you, my lord.” He clears his throat.
I wait.
Let him fumble for the words.
“You, ah, heard about the human female?”
I nod, slowly. “I did.”
The female from Lamira’s vision. The one who will start diplomatic problems for us with the Ocretions.
“I’m, ah, here to discuss her future here.”
I keep my face impassive. “Yes?”
He shifts from foot to foot. “Do you require any information from me, my lord, to make a determination about granting her asylum?”
“Yes, Captain. What is your opinion?”
He lifts his chest. “She risked her life on Fonquin to assist with our mission. But she also attacked me when we found her, and carries a poison lethal to Ocretions.”
“So I heard.” His assessment is unexpected. I thought he was here to advocate for her. It appears he has reservations about her trustworthiness.
“I believe she should be remanded to my custody for further observation, my lord. Before a determination is made.”
Ah.
I work hard to hide my smile.
Now I see his angle. He should just ask me to mate her if that’s what he wants. I suppose this means he’s not sure what he wants.
“You would take full responsibility for her?”
He bows. “I would, my lord.”
“Bond her to you as her guardian. Provide discipline as necessary?” I watch his pupils dilate at the suggestion of discipline. He’s certainly bewitched by the female.