“So perceptive.”
He pulled me hard against him, his heart beating a rapid tattoo against mine. “What if a warrior had seen you?”
“Well, ah, that didn’t happen. Faith would have had forewarning,” I mumbled into his silky shirtfront, the color as dark as his mood.
Faith shut the door and flicked the lock. “Which could only mean, and I hate to say this, Guy, but Silvie’s meant to be here.”
“See, all is good,” I pointed out.
“Nothing is good, Silvie. You’re a Peacian. In Dralion.” His hold on me tightened. “This palace is Donaldo’s domain, and he knows all who reside within its walls.”
“I’m here, and I’m staying.” I planted my hands on his chest and pushed, trying to gain some space. My attempt was futile. “I can’t fix Faith’s problem from anywhere else. You know it, and I know it.”
“Did you see the dome room?”
“Nope. I kept my eyes shut, but I’d like to see the warriors’ barracks if I’m not to stay here. Do you have your own room?”
“I do, not that you’re staying there. If anyone spotted you, they’d believe us together.”
“I’ll be a family member. A cousin perhaps?”
“My only cousins are far-removed, and from an adopted line.”
“Oh, I have an idea.” Faith raced into her dressing room then reappeared with an armload of clothes. Within the bundle was an assortment of leather pants and button-down shirts in black and white. “You could be a new recruit, not yet a warrior, but one in training.”
“She cannot stay in the barracks. She shouldn’t even be here.” Guy shoved a hand through his tousled black hair.
“I’ll be your far-removed cousin who’s a new recruit. Will that work so we can share a room?” I didn’t care to be on my own.
“Damn. I guess.” His look was incredulous. “And that was not my agreement.”
“I think it was, and remember we need to move on this problem.”
“We really do.” Faith tossed the clothing onto the bed and rummaged through it. From the pile, she pulled out a duffel bag and a pair of black boots, ones that looked lethal with silver spikes protruding from the sides and the tips.
“Ew, that’s nasty.”
“You’ll need them if you want to blend in.”
Guy gripped my shoulders. “Which also means you can’t use your fire skill here. It’ll cause major problems if anyone sees it. Donaldo would be all over you in a second.”
“So you agree I can stay?”
“It looks like I don’t have a choice, but they’ll be conditions.”
“I agree. Silvie need conditions.” Faith packed some of the clothing into the bag. “Yours is one of the greatest of the battle skills. Keeping it hidden is a must.”
“Guy already said that, and I’ll take every precaution.”
Guy nabbed the packed duffel from Faith and slung it over his shoulder. “I should not be agreeing to this. I don’t wish to live with my mate and allow our relationship to deepen.”
“C’mon, cousie.” I playfully nudged him in the arm. “It’s all good.” Or as good as it could be now I was on enemy soil.
Faith pulled me into a tight hug. “I wish you could stay here with me, but Donaldo would become suspicious. The staff talk.”
“Don’t worry about it. Guy won’t let any harm come to me.”
“That’s damn right.” He grasped my hand, his gaze on Faith. “We’d better leave while the going’s good. I’ll see you later.”
“Look after her.”
“Will do.” He flashed us away and into his room in a blink.
The warriors’ barracks. The one place I’d never expected to visit. His room. Two single wooden-slatted beds covered with thin mattresses took up most of the space. So barren. Even the walls, painted a dull gray, remained unadorned. “Nice digs you’ve got.”
“There’s a bathroom to the side, but this is just a place where I rest my head.” He propped the duffel on top of a tall chest crammed into the corner. He unpacked the contents into the top drawer then folded the canvas bag and slid it under the gap between the floorboards and the base. “Are you hungry? I can grab something from the dining room. There’s food out most of the time.”
“No, I don’t feel like eating.” Faith hadn’t been kidding when she’d said I’d been out of it for ages. Through the window the night sky was dark, although glimmering with thousands of stars. I eased onto one of the single beds and kicked off my shoes.
“I should say welcome to my home, except I wish you weren’t here.” He lifted my legs and tipped me back. He sat, propped my feet in his lap and massaged them.
“Why, thanks for having me over, cousie.” I stretched and tucked his lumpy pillow under my head.
“You’ve been trouble since the moment I met you.” He crawled in beside me, almost rolling me off the bed.
“Hey, this bed was made for one.”
“We need to discuss our relationship.”
“You can do that from the other bed.”