Standing almost seven feet in height with a body full of rippling, taut muscles, Hauk towered over both of them. And he always looked like he was ready to break someone in half. Another lickable trait if ever one existed.
The only thing that detracted from Hauk’s looks was those Andarion eyes that were extremely disconcerting, if not downright off-putting. White irises rimmed in red, they never failed to send a shiver over Maris. Thankfully, Nykyrian had green human eyes. Not that he showed them often, but…
The few glimpses Maris had been lucky enough to catch had left a lasting impression.
Unlike Syn, Hauk’s two blasters were strapped to his lean hips in plain sight. As if he needed that to look intimidating. More likely, they were there for his ease of use—the other bad thing about Andarions… they were notoriously short of temper.
Dressed all in black, Hauk stood with his weight on one leg, and his muscular arms crossed over his chest, his hands tucked under his biceps.
What was it about that pose that made men so delectable?
Maris would have purred at them, but he wasn’t sure what their reactions might be. While the two of them had always been ambivalent to his sexual preferences and outrageous mannerisms, they were both hardcore heterosexuals and trained killers with vicious tempers.
Only a fool would risk their wrath.
And he wasn’t feeling particularly stupid or adventurous today.
Syn arched his brow into a curious expression as he glanced around the entryway. “So where’s Darling?”
Maris gestured up the stairs. “He said he needed a quick shower. Give him fifteen minutes and I’ll take you up to see him.”
Hauk smirked. “Well isn’t he Lord Hoity-Toity all of a sudden.” He waved his hand in a grand dismissive gesture at Maris and Syn. It was always so funny to watch a straight man pretend to be gay, especially one so steeped in masculinity. “You plebs need to stay downstairs with the riffraff while I leisurely prepare myself to stomach your repugnacious presence.”
Syn rolled his eyes at Hauk’s made-up word and affectation. “Give him a break, Hauk. You know Darling would never do that to us.”
“I know, but it’s fun to bust on him for it.” Hauk grinned good naturedly, showing off his set of fangs in the process.
Ignoring him, Syn turned back toward Maris. “So does this mean he’s sleeping finally?”
That was an interesting question…
“I don’t know how much sleep he’s been getting, but he hasn’t left his bedroom in over four days.”
Worry creased Syn’s brow. “Is he all right? Has he been having trouble moving?”
Maris had to force himself to keep a solemn expression—something that really wasn’t in his nature. “From what I’ve been hearing, day and night, I would say that’s a resounding yes that he’s fine and definitely able to move without any trouble whatsoever.”
Now it was Hauk’s turn to frown. “What do you mean?”
Okay, there was no way to keep a straight face as Maris recalled his earlier conversation with the Sentella about Darling’s mental state. “I think it’s safe to say that all of us were right, and you, my dear Hauk, were most definitely wrong about what it would take to settle Darling down and make him quasi-human again.”
Hauk laughed as he caught Maris’s meaning. “So you finally nailed him, huh?”
“In a manner of speaking.”
Before they could say anything else, a loud throaty scream echoed from upstairs.
Hauk and Syn pulled out their weapons, ready for battle.
“Whoa”—Maris gestured at them—“down lethal killers. It’s okay.”
“Bullshit,” Hauk growled. “Sounds like someone’s being murdered.”
Maris laughed. “Yes it does, and no they’re not. I promise you. Not unless one can die by orgasm, and if that were the case, I think both of them would have died days ago.” He put his hand on Syn’s blaster and pointed it toward the floor. “But I do believe Darling’s going to need a little longer than fifteen minutes before he’s ready to see us. Shall we go to the reception room and wait?”
They exchanged perplexed grimaces before they finally holstered their blasters.
Maris turned around and led them deeper into the palace to the large room that was reserved for those waiting to have an audience with the governor. It was always kept stocked with a variety of beverages and snacks for unexpected visitors.
“Would either of you care for something?”
They shook their heads.
“So what exactly’s going on?” Concern was thick in Syn’s voice. “I’m still reeling over Darling calling me the other night. What made him change his mind so suddenly about having more surgery? Last time I broached the subject, he damn near took my head off. He told me he wasn’t about to put himself through it again.”
Maris poured a cup of tea for himself. He wasn’t about to spoil this surprise.