“Thank you.” Brodin looked at Poppy again, then Mal. “We’ll help her through the transition. My healers will do whatever they can.”
“Thank you,” Mal said.
“Edvin, load up Dr. Ellison.”
“Yes, Emperor.”
Tavith followed Brodin’s man.
Mal watched the stretcher and Poppy disappear into the ship.
“We can’t stay,” Brodin said. “I need to return to Damar.” His jaw tightened. “It seems our father has sent a warlord to my planet as well, to ‘convince’ me to join him.”
Rhain cursed.
“I will never stand at his side,” Brodin growled. “And he will regret hurting my people.”
Rhain clasped his brother’s arm. “Whatever help you need, you have it from me.”
“Thank you, brother. My fighters and I will hunt this dog down. Early intel suggests it is Candela Salix.”
Rhain sucked in a breath. “Be careful, Brodin. That Zhylaw woman’s expertise is in poisons.”
“I’ll watch my step, and she will regret ever stepping foot on Damar.” Brodin looked at Rhain and Mal. “Rest easy now with your mate, Rhain. You’ve fought your battle.”
“But the war isn’t over until you and Gray, and all our planets, are safe.”
“It won’t be over until our father is dead.”
“Be careful, Brodin. Good hunting.”
A feral smile crossed the emperor’s face. “I don’t specialize in careful.”
“Look after my friend,” Mal said.
The man nodded. “We’ll keep you informed of her progress. I hope to have her back to you, healthy and well, soon.”
The big man stalked toward the shuttle, his people following him. He leaped aboard.
Moments later, the shuttle lifted off.
Rhain and Mal watched it ascend until it disappeared from the sky.
“God, I hope Poppy will be all right,” Mal said.
“She will.” He threaded his fingers with hers. “So, my lovely warrior, what shall we do now?”
She pressed against him. “Hmm, I can think of a thing or two.” She let her energy out and it coiled around him.
He did the same, feeling their energies mix.
“Then lead the way, Mal. I will always be happy to walk at your side.”
Her heart melted. Her man, her overlord, looked at her like she was both precious and fierce. She was right where she belonged and she was never letting him go.
Chapter Nineteen
One week later
“Wider, Mal.”
Rhain tugged her hair gently, loving the sound of her moan.
She was on her hands and knees in front of him. He was driving inside her with slow, steady thrusts.
Making a hungry sound, she pushed back against him.
“You love me inside you, don’t you?” he said, voice rough, guttural.
“Yes.”
Over the last week, this bed had become theirs. And he’d watched her slowly relax into her new home.
Into them.
Every day, he made love to her. Every night, they slept together right here.
Rhain picked up speed. Her tight body clenched on his cock—wet, slick, and so good.
“Mal.” A deep groan. “Arch your back.”
She did as he asked. He thrust harder, the sound of their flesh slapping together coming faster and faster. He felt his release building.
It wasn’t enough.
It seemed he’d never get enough of this woman.
He pulled back.
Mal cried out in protest.
He spun her onto her back. He took a second to appreciate the view. Her dark hair spilled around her flushed face, her delicious breasts prominent, her taut stomach leading down to the dark curls between her thighs, that were damp with her need.
He shoved her sleek legs apart and sank back inside her.
She moaned, and wrapped her legs around his waist.
And there it was. All the emotion on her face—need, yearning.
Love.
“Rhain,” she panted.
He picked up speed. He slid a hand down and found that little, swollen nub he loved to lavish with attention.
He felt his energy spill loose and hers rose to meet it.
It kept them in a snug cocoon of power as the pleasure grew inside them both.
“Now, Mal. Now.”
Her body arched up, her hips lifting into his hard thrusts.
Rhain watched his woman come, taking his cock, and heard the sweet noises that he wanted to hear for the rest of his life.
Then his own orgasm hit hard.
His next thrust was deep, brutal. He grunted, pleasure detonating inside him.
Rhain still had enough thought to drop down beside her on the bed, rather than on top of her.
She didn’t move, so he pulled her close, tucking her sweat-slicked body against his. He ran his hand down her back and cupped her ass cheek.
“Still nervous?” he asked.
“Hmm?”
He wasn’t sure she’d even heard him.
“About the banquet? Are you still nervous?”
Mal sat bolt upright. “The banquet.” She groaned and dropped flat on her back on the bed, and threw an arm over her eyes.
He tugged her arm away. “Where is my tough, hexid-killing warrior from Earth? Surely, she can wear a dress, dance, and smile at people?”
“Dance? I don’t dance, Rhain.”
“You’ll be fine.” He pushed off the bed.
“You never said anything about dancing,” she said unhappily.
“I’ll help you.” He leaned over her and pressed a quick kiss to her sulky mouth. “I’ll be right by your side the entire time. Your people want to meet their future queen.”
She didn’t go quite as pale and wide-eyed at the word queen now.
“Did you hear from Brodin?” she asked.
Rhain sighed. “Yes. He’s coming to the banquet, and yes, you can ask him yourself, but there’s been no change. Poppy’s alive, and that’s what’s important.”
Mal nodded.
For a week, Poppy had been on Damar, but she remained unconscious.
“She doesn’t appear to be going through a full Damari transformation. Her body is changing, but not in the usual ways.” He cupped Mal’s jaw. “Brodin’s best healers are monitoring her.”
“I know.”
“Okay, time to shower. I’ve arranged a dress for you.”
She groaned and pushed off the bed, uncaring that she was naked.
He loved that long, fit body. Loved even more that the bruises from the battle with Krastin had faded.
“I don’t like dresses,” she whined.
“Enough complaining, woman.” He urged her into the bathroom.
After they showered, Rhain dressed in traditional Zhalton battle dress. His chest was bare, only covered by a leather harness. His battle skirt hit at his knees, meeting the supple leather of his boots. A wide belt circled his waist, threaded with the royal red color of his energy.
He left Mal with a handmaiden to finish getting ready. He checked with his advisors on the banquet preparation, and the arrival of the special guests.
He found Thadd organizing security. His captain was dressed much the same as Rhain, and looked his regular self, but Rhain still felt something wasn’t quite right with his friend.
“Everything going smoothly?” Rhain asked.
Thadd nodded. “The guards are in position.”
“After Krastin’s defeat, I don’t think my father will cause more trouble here on Zhalto.” Rhain frowned. “Besides, he appears to have switched his focus to Damar.”
Brodin had more missing hunters, and reports of the warlord Candela Salix lurking on his planet.