He cupped her jaw. “No arguments. I…need this. I need to know that you’re okay.”
“All right, Rhain.” She leaned back.
His face relaxed a little. Carefully, he worked her armor off.
Then he hissed out a breath. “Mal.”
Hmm, okay, the bruising was a little worse than she’d guessed.
The side of her ribs was already a putrid shade of black. Rhain gently probed, and she hissed out a breath.
“There’s nothing broken,” she said.
He shot her a hot stare.
Okay, she guessed he didn’t care for minor distinctions.
He moved his hands over her and she felt the energy in his palms. It brushed over her skin. The sensation wasn’t quite as pleasant as when Tavith healed her. She watched the muscles in Rhain’s shoulders tense.
She grabbed his wrist. “It hurts you.”
His silver eyes looked molten and alive. “I don’t care. I’d take all the hurt from you if I could.”
Oh, Rhain. The emotion was clear in his eyes. Knowing that he felt things for her both excited and terrified her. What did she know about loving a man? Zilch. Nada. Zip.
She wasn’t sure she was built for it. She was pretty sure she wasn’t the kind of woman Rhain’s people imagined for him.
But now was not the time to worry about that. They had to rescue Poppy and Thadd.
“There.” Rhain sat back.
She felt somewhat better, and the pain had dulled to a low throb. Her bruises were already fading.
Rhain looked so tired.
“Come here,” she murmured.
She pulled him down beside her. He leaned against the rock and slid an arm around her.
She leaned into him and let out a breath. Whatever the future held, she had to admit that she felt good right here. With his heartbeat in her ear, feeling safe and protected.
She’d take a moment to enjoy it.
“These rocks look man-made,” she said.
He frowned. “They could be. There are some very ancient ruins on the planet. Millennia old. From before the Radiance, and before the first Zhaltons settled here.”
“Really?”
“They were left by the Creators.”
She turned her head. “Who were the Creators?”
“An advanced species who lived in the galaxy long ago. They seeded life throughout the galaxy. That’s why we all look similar, with humanoid features. Our species developed from what the Creators started.”
“Hmm. Well, I’m definitely glad we’re compatible.” She waggled her eyebrows.
He laughed. It was good to hear the sound. “It would be a shame if we weren’t.” He toyed with her hair.
Around them, the other fighters were resting, eating, and talking quietly. A few were napping, sitting up against the rocks.
Mal heard Rhain pull in a harsh breath.
“You’re worried about Thadd?”
“Yes. I know you feel the same way about Poppy.”
“I have to believe that she’s still alive.”
“I’m going to kill Krastin.” His tone was hard, resolute.
Fear clutched her. She knew he’d die trying if he had to. She didn’t want Rhain to die. She couldn’t bear it.
She’d lost everyone she’d ever loved, and she couldn’t survive it again.
“So far, Krastin continues to hold the upper hand,” Rhain said darkly.
“Not for long.” Mal stroked the rock and felt more bumps. “Look. There’s some sort of text here.”
Rhain leaned forward. “Definitely Creator.” He frowned. “I don’t recall there being Creator ruins in this area. We’ve mapped some of the Barrens, but sometimes the lava flows swallow things, and uncover others.”
“This looks small.” She scanned the rocks. “Like a little outpost.”
“Overlord.” Carvia appeared. She was doing a bad job of hiding her grief. “Permission for me and Kasra to scout the area.”
Rhain frowned. “It’s dangerous—”
“We’ll stay in visual range, and only search for any sign of the Zhylaw.”
He hesitated, then looked toward the setting sun. “It’ll be night soon. We’ll have the Barrens beasts to look out for, as well.”
“Barrens beasts?” Mal said.
“The native animals, mutated years ago by the Radiance. They’ve bred over the years and hunt at night.”
Mal sighed.
“We won’t be long,” Carvia said.
It was clear the woman needed to stay busy.
“Go.”
Mal watched the pair of fighters jog out, weapons in hand.
Stars started to appear in the sky, and a green aurora flickered to life—bright and lively.
“I want you to stay on Zhalto, Mal.”
She froze at Rhain’s words.
“After this. You and Poppy can make a home here.”
God, she wanted that, too, but her belly was alive with nerves. She hated feeling vulnerable and afraid. What if he changed his mind? What if after a little while, he didn’t want her anymore?
She shifted and kissed him. “We’ll talk after we rescue Thadd and Poppy,” she murmured.
His hands clenched on her, but he nodded.
They rested a little more. Rhain checked on the others. Herris had recovered enough to do some more healing.
“Overlord!” Carvia and Kasra ran back to the camp.
Rhain rose and so did Mal. The pair didn’t seem panicked, but more excited.
“My lord, there are huge ruins to the east of here,” Kasra said.
“Sprawling Creator ruins,” Carvia said.
Mal gasped. “This outpost must’ve been part of a larger community.”
“Where?” Rhain asked.
“There.” Carvia pointed.
And in the darkness, Mal saw the glimmer of light.
The fighter straightened. “The Zhylaw are using it as their base.”
Chapter Sixteen
Rhain lay crouched in the darkness, his fighters around him.
They were all still a little battered, but all of them were armed, and ready to follow orders.
Ready to fight.
He held the optics in his hands.
The Creator ruins were carved from the local rock. They were a crumbling mess, almost unrecognizable, except for some walls, pillars, and a few archways dotted through the rocks.
He saw several Zhylaw, and some Sarkan guards. Several hexids sat, crouched on a crumbling rock wall.
They were still, alert.
He passed the optics to Mal and she studied Krastin’s base.
“The hexids look like guard dogs, waiting for a target,” she said.
Rhain wished he could take her away. Put her somewhere safe. He blew out a breath. She’d never allow that. She’d fight him.
If he put her somewhere safe, she’d crash her way out and rush back into the fight.
He’d fallen in love with a warrior.
His chest tightened. He hadn’t truly loved anyone like this before.
He’d always been dedicated to his people, loved his mother, cared deeply for Thadd’s family, but he realized he’d held a part of himself back.
Because he came from Zavir.
Because of the pain of losing his mother.
Because no one truly understood how it felt to be king and live for others.
But this woman from Earth had cracked him wide open.
“I feel the pull to that place. Poppy is in there.” Mal’s face twisted. “There are too many fighters and hexids.”
“We’ll need to sneak in.”