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The burning itch in my wrists, the thrum of bones mending in my right leg and the overpowering urge to wrap my hands around Devile’s throat and squeeze till his toes quaked and his last breath left his lungs had all quieted. Ginger’s words echoed in my head. “Yes, I’ve initiated the process to claim JayJay as my mate.”
Euphoria, as light as the tiny bubbles in the tonic I added to my favorite whiskey, fizzed through my veins. The scent of flowery, sweet linnea filled my nose, and the heavy air melted like honey on my tongue. It tasted like Yagras.
“You’re smiling. Are you okay?” Warm in my arms, Ginger’s soft curves pressed against my stomach and chest, which she patted.
“Never better.” Content, my mind wandered.
That jealous bastard Devile was after my female, and I guessed it had something to do with how his mouth had gaped open when he saw my shimmering skin. Though any male Rock Dweller with a beating heart would want her. She’d restored me to my warrior status, and when she smiled, it chased away the shadows like the sun’s rays. Plus, her hair, all that wonderful hair, in places I’d never imagined…
Throughout Sisip’s council, I’d caught Devile sneaking glances at my wrists and armor. I must talk to TeyTey. She’d studied the history of Rock Dwellers extensively. She’d explain why my skin now matched the vision our ancestors had shown me while seeking guidance in the hot pools.
Devile’s grin as he’d scanned Ginger from head to toe bubbled to the surface of my mind, and I skated my fingers down Ginger’s thighs to dim the burn from the building anger. Familiar with the lengths Devile would go to to get what he wanted, I vowed to protect Ginger with my life.
“What happened in there?” Ginger repositioned herself across my lap so my arms draped around her in a loose hug.
Directly above us, the sun warmed my head. A flock of woodskies soared overhead, squawking a tune.
On a deep exhale, I nuzzled into her silky hair and kissed the rich brown poking through. “He’s tricking you. The chain mail gift…The compliment he forced from you when he asked your feelings about the bloodroot fungus… He’s trying to force the process of claiming a mate. It’s the only thing that makes any sense. A gift, a compliment… I’m not sure how he’ll prove you care for him, though? The bond would never hold without genuine reciprocation.”
“Care for the king of assholes?” Ginger sputtered. “Why the hell would he want me?” Her small hands formed fists and banged against her thighs. “And I’m pretty sure the chain mail doesn’t count as a gift when Yurst plucked it out of my hands and gave it to the smarmy ass. And I took it back.”
“Males with females are revered on Yagras. He might be after the prestige.” I formed cups on her legs for her fists to land in, protecting the soft flesh below from bruising. “He’s proved he has no problems manipulating the truth.”
Slow drips of doubt turned into a stream, then a waterfall as I muddled over Ginger proclaiming her interest in me. A claim under duress meant nothing. I moved her from my lap onto the rocky slab, breaking contact, driving my nails into my wrists as the itch flared.
Her nose scrunched up, and she shook her head. “But there are other unattached females here. Why were you acting all weird with him, anyway?”
He’d always wanted what I had. “Ginger, it’s fine. You didn’t mean what you said. You were only trying to protect me. I understand you just need me for my seed, that when the portable medicine arrives, you’ll be returning to Earth, but you must continue to play along.”
I palmed the back of my neck and focused on the tiny pink lumps in the distance—Yurstille.
“Are you interested in claiming Devile? To initiate is a gesture reserved for females. There has to be intent from the female.” My jaw clenched, shooting pain to the base of my skull. “So the bond could never form completely with…Devile unless you choose it.” Or me. “Devile is a male of great power, wealth and influence. He can provide for you in ways—”
Ginger bolted upright and whirled to face me. Her hazel eyes held me in their animal grip when she wrenched my head up with her tiny fingers. The lips I knew were velvety soft pinched together.
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” Ginger’s hold on my chin tightened. “Do you know what King Kong is?”
I remained frozen in her unnerving gaze.
“He’s a giant fictional gorilla. He had a thing for rescuing human women and carrying them to the tops of tall buildings.” She gestured to our current clifftop haven. “All brawn and no brain. And right now, you’re acting as intelligent as him.” With her hands planted on her hips, she stood between my legs and glared at me.
Her anger crept down my spine in icy tendrils, shocking my senses as if I’d been dunked in cold water. She wanted nothing to do with Devile—thank the goddess Sola. My coil stirred to life. I liked her standing over me, cheeks flushed. But I had to clear the air.
“I won’t hold you to your proclamation, but my body’s started the mating process, and my instincts are beyond my control.” My hand curled around the back of her firm thigh. “Devile’s dangerous when he doesn’t get what he wants.” I ran my palms up her tall leather boots, over the shiny black fabric clinging to her legs, under her dress, and cupped the curve of her ass. “Hecan’t witness any hesitation. We must convince him you wish to be my mate.”
Her golden-flecked gaze sparked with a thousand clashing emotions. “JayJay, you’re not listening to me. I do—”
A com pinged, alerting me that my presence was required in the conference room. “We will discuss this later. I’ve been summoned.”
Ginger frowned before I pressed her to my chest and hurried down the Starry Volcano with her clinging to my neck. Her frustration bled through to me in the stiff way she held her limbs, but I would have to settle her anger later. Sisip wanted to go over the plan, and keeping Ginger safe required all of my attention. I deposited her near the lift tube inside the tunnel’s entrance where Hill’s team stood. Her rigid bearing softened when I brushed my lips over her head.
“Try to keep your heroism in check, ’kay?” She squeezed my hand, though I knew she was frustrated at me, and I watched the way the fabric of her dress clung to her bum as she swayed toward Saluda.
Sisip caught me mid-stare and cleared her throat. “JayJay, you are under no obligation to accept this mission.” Her split-lipped mouth spread into a frown. “It’s clear that boulder-brained ass has a personal vendetta.”
“It’s the simplest solution, and I won’t go back on my word.”
She rolled her eyes. “Why does that not surprise me?” She reached down to the leather holder around her thigh. “Here. I want this back.”
