He turned to Aran. “We’ll wait for your medica to heal my fighters. Continue to monitor the Zhylaw. And I need you to find a way out of here for me.”
Aran nodded. “Consider it done, my lord. We’ve prepared quarters for you all. Not quite as comfortable as Citadel, but I’ve earmarked our garden, the Lindera, for your personal use.”
Rhain clasped the man’s shoulder. “Thank you again, Aran.”
“Of course, Overlord.”
Rhain went looking for Mal. He headed down to the lower level, and heard noises coming from the training courtyard. The very familiar sounds of fighting.
He turned a corner and froze.
Mal was facing off with Thadd.
They both ignored the available weapons and were fighting hand-to-hand. Thadd wore no armor, just a bare chest, leathers, and a harness.
His captain was built of slabs of muscle, and he outweighed Mal by a large amount.
Rhain tensed. This fight was not equally balanced. One wrong move and Thadd could hurt her.
The pair rushed at each other. Mal used her smaller size and speed to her advantage. She ducked low, then landed a quick kick to Thadd’s leg.
Rhain’s captain grunted and spun. He tried to catch her, but she was gone.
They circled each other, and this time, Thadd lunged.
Mal planted her legs, bent her knees, and grabbed Thadd.
The next thing Rhain knew, Thadd’s big body flew over Mal, and he crashed to the floor.
Thadd growled and leaped to his feet. “What was that?”
“A little judo throw. It’s a type of fighting style on Earth.”
“I want to learn it.”
“I’ll think about teaching it to you.”
Thadd’s gaze narrowed on her.
Mal rushed at him. They traded kicks and hits, moving across the training space. Thadd was power and strength, and Mal was grit and smarts.
Thadd swung, but Mal miscalculated. The blow caught her midsection and lifted her off her feet.
She flew through the air and slammed down on her back.
Rhain saw red.
He didn’t think, couldn’t. He charged across the training yard and slammed into Thadd.
His friend grunted. With a shoulder in the man’s gut, Rhain lifted him off his feet and slammed him against the wall.
“Rhain—” Thadd wheezed between gritted teeth.
“You don’t hurt her. Ever.”
“I didn’t…mean…”
“Rhain.” Mal’s voice.
He felt a touch on his arm, her hand sliding down to his wrist.
He realized his energy had flared and was whipping around him. His chest heaved.
She leaned into him. “I’m fine. I asked Thadd to spar with me. I don’t mind knocking him around, and he doesn’t go easy on me.”
Rhain tensed. Thadd stayed calm, watching his face.
“He’s bigger and stronger than you,” Rhain bit out.
“I can take care of myself. Rhain, he’s your best friend and bodyguard, he wasn’t going to hurt me.”
Rational thought started to seep into his brain. It was far easier when she was pressed against his side. He released Thadd and stepped back.
“Thadd—”
“It’s fine, Rhain.” He looked between Rhain and Mal. “I get it.” Thadd stepped forward. “I saw the way she helped you on the journey here. She fought beside you every step of the way. I’ll protect her with my life, as I do you.” He bowed his head.
Rhain blew out a breath. “I know that.”
With a nod, Thadd walked away.
Mal stepped in front of Rhain and cupped his cheeks.
“Hey.” Her fingers stroked his stubbled cheeks. “And I thought I was tense.”
“I dislike feeling trapped, and I hate seeing you hurt.”
“A few bumps and bruises don’t count. I’m fine.” She went up on her toes and kissed his nose.
The scent of her filled him, and he pulled her closer. She hugged him back.
“I hate not being able to go out there right now,” she said.
“I know.”
“All I can think about is poor Poppy.” Mal stepped back. She rubbed the center of her chest with her knuckles. “It’s like a pull, a hollow ache. A compulsion.”
And it hurt her not to follow it.
“Tonight, my fighters need time to heal,” he said. “We’ll rest so we can be ready to face the Barrens, and find Poppy.”
“And Krastin.”
“And Krastin,” he agreed.
Rhain knew they needed to put the tension aside, or they’d never get any sleep.
“Come with me.” He took her hand and led her inside.
“Where are you taking me?”
“I want to show you something.”
He led her through the maze of corridors of the outpost. It was starker and more industrial than the palace. It was clear that this was a working outpost, not a vacation spot.
They passed some mine workers, who bowed their heads at Rhain. He led her up some stairs.
“Man, you Zhaltons love stairs.”
He smiled at her and reached a doorway. He pressed a palm to it and it shimmered open.
Her jaw dropped. “Oh, wow.”
It was the Lindera. The garden was filled with plants that grew thick and green. One side was food plants for the outpost, but the rest was flowers for various uses.
They passed under a vine laden with white rillis. As they passed another bush, flowers unfurled, sensing their presence. They were pretty, yellow bells.
“These are nerine, also called welcome bells.” He reached over to another plant and plucked a blue, trumpet-shaped bloom off a vine. He brushed it over her cheek and lips.
“I feel the energy off it,” she said.
“Yes. Allium flowers are full of energy.” He tucked it behind her ear. They followed the path through the garden. The sky overhead was just starting to ignite with auroras.
A pool appeared—it was oval-shaped and lined with flat rocks.
Mal gasped.
“What?” he asked.
“I saw this place. In the vision with the energy witch.”
“And?”
She turned to him. “We were both naked.”
His lips quirked, his body instantly responding to her words. “Really?”
Chapter Thirteen
Mal kicked off her boots. The grass was cool and lush under her feet.
The garden had an almost magical feel. She sensed pops of energy from the flowers.
She turned to Rhain. He stood there—big, larger than life. He was so rugged and masculine, with power throbbing off him. His eyes were more gray than silver right now, and his face looked fierce.
“Mine,” he said, his voice low and gritty.
“No, I belong to me,” she countered.
He stepped closer to her. “You can also belong to me.”
She shivered. “Am I just a novelty to you? You have a palace full of soft, beautiful women.”
“I don’t want them. I want you. I want to protect you, have you by my side.”
So many emotions curled inside her. She wasn’t sure how she felt exactly, or where this was headed, but she knew she wanted him.
She shimmied out of her pants and unwound her top.
His gaze narrowed on her, like a raptor. She stood naked, then walked toward him.
His hands curled into fists at his sides. She pressed her palms to his chest. One of his hands snaked up and slid into her hair. Hard enough that she felt the tug.
“You make me want things, Mal. Make me want to do all kinds of things to you.”