A loud whistle rent the air. Nykyrian looked up with a jerk.
"What is it?" she asked breathlessly.
"The link," he said, worry heavy in his voice.
Kiara pulled her dress to her and watched him sprint out of the room. Donning her clothes, she went after him. Nykyrian sat on the couch, his back to her.
"Darling just stumbled into my flat." Kiara recognized Rachol's voice. "He's in bad shape. I can defend myself against Aksel, but if they come here while I've got Darling, they'll tear him apart."
Kiara placed a comforting hand on Nykyrian's shoulder. He looked at her with a tender smile. "Bring Darling here," he said.
"Are you sure?"
"It's the only place where he'll be safe while he heals."
"All right. We'll be there shortly."
Nykyrian switched the link off and tossed it back on the low table. He rubbed his hands over his face, a deep grimace lining his features.
"What is it?" Kiara asked, brushing her fingers through his hair.
"Arturo has beaten Darling up again. I should have torn him into pieces."
Kiara knelt on the floor and placed her chin on his shoulder. "Will Darling be all right?"
"I hope so," he whispered, rubbing the arm she had wrapped around his neck.
Kiara placed a kiss on his bare shoulder. "Are you always plagued with so many problems?"
He gave a short laugh. "All things considered, it's been a slow week." He pulled her around the arm of the couch and sat her in his lap. "What have you done to me, woman?
If Rachol hears me laugh, he really will have a fit."
She brushed a strand of his hair over his shoulder. "Let him get used to it. I like the sound of your laughter too much to let you hide it."
He kissed her tenderly.
Pulling away, he studied her eyes. "Luckily the walls upstairs are sound proof. I don't think a guest will be too much of a burden."
His devilish smile brought heat to her cheeks. Before she could respond, he stood her on her feet and went to retrieve his shirt. Kiara wasn't sure what she made of this new Nykyrian. But she decided she definitely liked him.
*
They ended up in the viewing room, waiting on Rachol and Darling to arrive. Kiara was stunned when Nykyrian laid his head in her lap and stretched out across the couch. She played with his soft hair as they sat quietly in the dark, watching the flickering images. Kiara had what she wanted. He trusted her. A lump constricted her throat as she looked down at him. His long eyelashes fluttered. She pulled his hair away from his neck to see the short, baby hairs curling around his nape. Using her fingernails, she gently brushed them. Chills formed on his neck and he closed his eyes with a sigh. With her fingertip, she traced the line of his cheek and lips. Turning, he opened his eyes to meet hers. The love inside the light green eyes scorched her.
He reached his hand out and brought her head down to his to receive his impassioned kiss. Kiara moaned, her body igniting at his touch. His arms tensed.
Rachol's engines thundered in the bay.
"Remember this position for future reference," Nykyrian whispered against her lips, his warm breath causing chills to spread down her body.
He stood and she wanted to curse in frustration. Gathering her tumultuous emotions, Kiara followed him to the door. They waited several minutes before the door finally opened. Kiara gasped.
Rachol supported Darling by his shoulder. Darling was slumped heavily against Rachol's side, unable to walk without assistance. Darling's face, bloodied and bruised, could barely be recognized. His left arm dangled in an awkward position and Kiara realized it was broken.
Nykyrian cursed, then swung Darling up in his arms. Rachol ran ahead to the viewing room. Kiara followed behind them, her heart twisting at the sight of Darling's beaten condition.
Rachol had pulled the bed out of the couch by the time they got there. "Let me pull up the sheet," he mumbled.
"To hell with the sheet," Nykyrian snarled. "I'll buy a new couch if I have to."
Rachol nodded, then met Kiara's eyes. The hostility in his gaze made her take a step back.
Oblivious to the hate-filled look, Nykyrian laid Darling down. Rachol broke eye contact with her to tend to Darling. Kiara stood in the doorway, the lorinas curling around her legs, her limbs trembling in fear and sympathy.
She frowned as she saw for the first time why Darling kept his hair over the left side of his face. A deep, white scar traveled down his face from hairline to chin. Kiara couldn't imagine what had happened to him to leave such a vicious scar.
Her throat tightened at the amount of blood covering him. Never in her life had she seen anyone so abused. She glanced at Nykyrian, his jaw stiff, and wondered how many times he had been beaten into a similar condition.
"I'm going to kill Arturo," Nykyrian ground out between clenched teeth.
Darling reached out and touched Nykyrian's arm. "Leave him alone," he whispered through his swollen lips.