Thadd’s mother was a formidable, handsome woman who wasn’t afraid of anything or anyone. She freely shared her opinion and waded into arguments between the Houses when it suited her. She’d been his mother’s best friend, and treated Rhain like a second son, especially after his mother had died.
“Enough.” Rhain didn’t thump his fist on the table, but his voice was enough to have the nobles cut off mid-sentence. He was so tired and just wanted some quiet.
Between the Renkitis Outpost attack, fighting the hexids, and his stubborn captive, he was running low on patience and energy.
“We will stop at nothing to hunt down Krastin and stop his army of beasts. They are not welcome here and I will not let them hurt anymore of my people.” Rhain leaned forward. “I care about your farms and holdings, but I care more about lives. Krastin will pay for our dead.” He scanned the room. “My fighters are committed, and I expect aid from all of you if and when it is required.”
There were murmurs and nods. The Duke of Jadirel’s mouth flattened, but he gave a decisive nod. The Houses might squabble, but at the end of the day, they were all Zhalton.
“Dismissed,” Rhain said.
The nobles all rose and swept out.
The countess came to him and cupped his cheeks. “You look tired, my boy.”
He’d always be a boy to Daneris Naveri, as would Thadd. “It’s been a long day.”
“You visited the families of the Renkitis Outpost victims.” She patted his cheek, sympathy on her face. “And I hear that you have a prisoner. One of Zavir’s spies.”
As always, Daneris had her sources. “She claims that she isn’t, but she isn’t answering my questions. I’ll interrogate her again in the morning.”
When he rose, the countess slid her arm through his. As they walked out of the meeting chamber, the skirts of her long, gold dress swished.
“You need a queen.”
Rhain gave a mental groan. The countess was determined to get Rhain or Thadd married off. She wanted grandbabies to spoil outrageously.
“I don’t have time,” he said.
“Not a pretty court jewel. Someone who can share the burden of ruling with you.”
Rhain had yet to meet any woman like that.
Daneris stopped, smiled. “I know you’re ignoring my suggestion.”
Despite his tiredness, he smiled back. “Never.”
The countess rolled her bright-blue eyes, then she glanced out the windows. Auroras filled the night sky with color. Tonight, they were extra bright and vibrant, dancing wildly. He watched the blue-green colors shift and flow like a river in flood.
“The energy is especially strong tonight,” she said. “Do you feel it?”
He nodded. Sometimes the magnetic field was fully charged by strong solar winds from the sun. He felt the energy tingle on his skin, in his gut.
“They say that’s good luck,” she said. “That the auroras are smiling down at us. Go and get some sleep, Rhain.”
He kissed her cheek. “No woman could ever compare to you.”
Pleasure filled her face. “Off with you. And Rhain, your mother would be so proud of you.”
His throat tightened.
Back in his bedroom suite, he managed a quick shower before he fell into his big bed naked. Sleep claimed him in seconds.
He didn’t expect to dream.
He felt fingers stroke his bicep, then splay across his chest.
“Hard as steel,” a female voice muttered. “Guessed as much.”
Rhain raised his brows, taking a second to savor the firm touch.
The fingers stroked his pecs. “It’s a hell of a chest.”
Then he opened his eyes and saw Mallory West leaning over him.
He was flat on his back on lush grass, and strangely he was wearing traditional Zhalton battle gear: a battle skirt, huge belt around his waist, and a leather harness across his bare chest, with his royal medallion—worn by Zhalton’s rulers for centuries—set on it. His swords were in sheaths by his hips, when usually he wore them on his back. He only wore traditional dress for ceremonies and events.
Energy permeated everything, and he felt it wash over his skin.
“Like what you see?” he drawled.
The hand on him stilled. Her eyes shot wide. “Hey, this is my dream. No talking. You annoy me when you talk.”
“Well, this is my dream too.”
Her nose wrinkled and she snatched her hand back.
Missing her touch, he grabbed her hand and sat up. She had strong, long fingers. He easily pictured them on a sword, on the controls of a ship, or on his skin.
Gorr. He had no business being tantalized by his captive, a possible enemy spy.
“The energy is up tonight,” he said. “It’s been known to link people’s dreams.” Although usually people who were strongly connected—lovers, partners, family.
“Energy?” She frowned.
“Yes, from the magnetic field. Zhalto has a very strong one due to the composition of the planet’s core.”
“Ah, that explains the auroras.” She glanced at the night sky above them. “And the whole being able to use energy with your bare hands.”
He inclined his head.
“Can you use the abilities when you’re off the planet?”
“Not always. It depends on the magnetic field of the planets I visit.” Being off Zhalto always felt like having his senses dulled. It was vaguely uncomfortable.
It was partly why Zhaltons were warriors. They trained daily with their weapons, knowing if they were off the planet, they couldn’t rely on their energy abilities.
Mal pushed to her feet and Rhain did the same.
She wore strange clothes—fitted pants made of a heavy, blue-stained fabric that shaped her long legs and a tight, black, sleeveless shirt that showed off toned arms and a hint of high, firm breasts. Her brown hair was loose, a gentle breeze making it dance around her shoulders.
They stood in a flower field covered in a carpet of red larka flowers.
“Your planet sure is pretty,” she said.
“It is. And I’ll protect it from my father with everything I have.”
“Loyalty and dedication.” She lifted her chin. “I feel the same way about finding my friend, Poppy. I won’t give up on her.”
Rhain noted the stubborn tilt to Mal’s jaw. He suspected she never made anything easy.
“It is highly likely that your friend didn’t survive,” he said gently.
“Don’t say that!”
“I only speak the truth—”
She rushed him.
The punch slammed into his gut. With a grunt, he knocked her arm away. She tried to knee him, and he bumped her leg aside. She was strong.
The next thing he knew, her foot was flying at his face.
With a growl, Rhain ducked, then tackled her to the ground. He landed on top of her, pinning her in place.
“Ugh, you weigh a ton.” She bucked.
“Quit fighting.” He managed to pin her arms above her head.
“No.” She renewed her struggles.
And Rhain’s body took note of the strong, enticing, very female one squirming beneath him.
“Mal,” he ground out. “Stop.”
Something in his tone got through because she stilled. Her gaze locked on his face. His skimmed over hers, taking in the intriguing scar bisecting her eyebrow—he wanted to know how she’d gotten it—and the tiny black mark on her cheekbone. That one he wanted to kiss.
He saw awareness flicker in her gaze and she sucked in a breath, pushing her breasts against his chest.
They both groaned.
Then suddenly, a low, feral growl cut through the night.
Rhain whipped his head up.