Share
39
She grimaced and rubbed her head. “Nice way to end a make-out session, wasn’t it?” She sighed. “At least it explains the mood swings.” Her mood brightened. It wasn’t nearly so humiliating if she could blame it all on PMS.
Mathin let out his breath in a long, slow stream. “Thank the Deity. It wasn’t the way I’d wished to begin our marriage.” A tug sent her tumbling into his lap where he crushed her close. “I didn’t want to lose you, and I never, never want to hurt you.”
Uncomfortable with the reminder of what giving herself to Mathin entailed, she squirmed. She’d been going on instinct, unable to consider the consequences. She’d love to blame it all on hormones, but was uneasily ce
Related chapters
Scent of Danger 40
“That and browse. Come.” With a smile for her disgust, he led her to a stall on the end and opened the heavy wooden door. When she hesitated, he tugged her gently in. “He won’t hurt you after I make the introductions.”Not exactly reassured by his remark, she nevertheless allowed herself to be coaxed through the stall and into the corral beyond. The stag within lifted its head and stared at them, then swished his clubbed tail. It seemed to measure Andrea, then its nostrils flared. It came forward and nudged Mathin’s hand on her shoulder.Mathin nodded.The beast wrinkled its nose, exposing its fangs. It jerked its head, then proceeded to rudely snuffle her, li
Scent of Danger 41
“Yikes! Find a room, guys.”The lovers broke apart with a curse and a gasp.“J-Jasmine?” Andrea panted, her vision still hazed. Keilor stood behind his wife, looking amused.Mathin muttered and jerked his vest back together as Jasmine tsked at them. “Kind of busy around here to indulge in that sort of thing, isn’t it?” Her tone was chiding, but she grinned as she said it.Keilor smiled as he wrapped her in his arms and whispered in her ear.Jasmine colored and darted a mortified glance at the lovers. &ldquo
Scent of Danger 42
Andrea dropped her eyes and stirred the remains of her lunch, no longer hungry. Everyone was looking at her.She’d just gotten somewhat used to this place; could she handle more adventure? “When would we go?”Relief surged through him. “I dislike waiting, and the storm season is close. Six days.”Her soft grunt was her only answer.“Good. I’ll help with the details,” Keilor offered. He stood and offered Jasmine his hand as Mathin did the same for Andrea.They toured the market. At Mathin’s insis
Scent of Danger 43
Andrea’s resolve crumbled at the sight of his sexy smile. Only a few more days and she could do something about the hot buttered rum he made of her insides. “Well...maybe this once.”The smile became dazzling. She felt a little faint. “Just don’t make a habit of it.”He stared at her red, full lips, very tempted to taste them. Had she used cosmetics? They were especially glossy and ripe-looking this evening.“A couple more days,” she warned him, breathless. He had to stop looking at her like that.Her scent curled around him, tried to mesmerize him as it played on his roused
Scent of Danger 44
“A bicycle?” she asked, frowning as they saw a group of riders in the distance. “A horse would be fine, too.”“Livestock from Earth dies here,” he said, grinning. “But a bicycle might be possible. I’ll see about it.”“What do you bring Jasmine?”The question caused him to cock his head in curiosity. “She wants nothing. The Dark Lands are her home now, and she’s severed the ties to her past. Says she’s happier that way.”Andrea thought about that. “What if something happened to Keilor?”
Scent of Danger 45
“You’re not going to tell me, are you?”“It would disturb you.”That did it. She was definitely curious now. “I’m already disturbed.” When his smile turned wicked, she threatened, “I could ask someone.”“No one will tell you.”She refused to believe that. Someone knew. Maybe she could bribe it out of one of his friends with some of the candy she’d made for the twins that afternoon. “Give me a hint.”“I’m older than you are.”
Scent of Danger 46
Raziel shrugged. “She thinks Andrea will appreciate you more if you have to work for her.”The creak of the massive doors opening caused all competing warriors to draw and activate their blades. One never knew what kind of interesting surprises Ellipse might spring at her tournaments.Out of the darkness marched...“Female warriors?” Raziel gasped.Mathin was just as shocked. Men never competed with women. Even with these women in Haunt and full battle gear, the ridiculousness of it held the men frozen in place. How were they supposed to defeat these women without hurting them? Was that part of the
Scent of Danger 47
Andrea nodded tersely in acknowledgment and wiggled her stiff fingers. They were going numb from her tight grip on the chair. Tension coiled in her belly, making her feel sick. This stupid tournament couldn’t get over fast enough for her.Nine men approached the grid structure and swung up on it. The entire thing swayed as they ascended the multilevel platforms.Andrea felt the blood drain from her face as they drew their swords. They were going to fight up there?She must have looked bad, for Jasmine reached over, pried one of her hands free and held it. “Mathin will be all right, Andrea.”Blue light fl
Latest chapter
