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“No, I know who should be our diplomat. Ask Kyrana to send me her security chief.” She allowed herself to smile as she warmed up to the idea even more. “Have them send me Zexx.”

ChapterTen

Steel rang against steel as Zexx parried Karv's strike, the curved blades catching the morning sunlight. Sand flew beneath their feet as they circled each other, both breathing hard from the intense sparring session.

"Better," Zexx growled as Karv executed a particularly complex move. "But your left side is still open."

He demonstrated by sweeping Karv's legs out from under him, sending the former Crestek sprawling onto his back. But Karv rolled immediately to his feet, sand coating his bare chest and speckling his inked flesh.

"I won't fall for that twice," Karv said, raising his blades again.

Zexx allowed himself a small smile. Teaching Karv had proved an effective distraction from thoughts of Linnea, at least during the day. His nights were another matter, filled with dreams of soft skin and fierce eyes that left him restless and aching.

They clashed again, blades singing as they wove through the ancient forms. Sweat gleamed on their golden skin as the suns climbed higher, but neither warrior showed signs of stopping. Zexx had to admit that Karv was a quick study, already moving with the fluid grace of a Dothvek instead of the rigid precision of a Crestek.

"Enough!" Maya's voice cut through their concentration. "Unless you're trying to kill each other before the midday meal."

Both men lowered their weapons, chests heaving. Zexx accepted the water skin she offered him before handing one to her mate, drinking deeply as the cool liquid soothed his parched throat.

"A messenger just arrived," Maya said, once both males had drunk their fill.

Karv perked up. "From the bounty hunters?"

"No." Maya glanced at Zexx. "From the Cresteks."

The water turned to ash in his mouth. He handed back the skin, suddenly alert. "What do they want?"

"I don't know. But Kyrana wants you in her tent. Now."

Zexx didn't wait to hear more. He strode through the village, his bare feet barely touching the sand as worried whispers followed in his wake. The bells on tent flaps tinkled as he passed, and the savory scent of the midday meal, usually so appetizing, now turned his stomach.

He burst into the ceremonial tent without announcing himself, then stopped short. Kyrana sat on her ornate chair, draped in golden robes that caught the filtered sunlight. But it was the cloaked figure beside her that made Zexx's blood run cold.

"Ah, Zexx." Kyrana's smile held an edge. "We were just discussing you."

He forced himself to bow, though his muscles were coiled tight as a spring. "My leader."

"This is Temok." She gestured to the Crestek. "Our new ambassador from the city."

"Ambassador?" Zexx spat the word. "When have we had ambassadors?"

"Since now." Kyrana's voice hardened. "Just as you will be our ambassador to them."

The words hit him like a physical blow. "What?"

"The chancellor believes having representatives in both locations will strengthen our alliance." The Crestek's voice was smooth, measured. Everything Zexx wasn't.

Linnea. Of course this was her doing. But instead of pleasure at the thought of being near her again, anger coursed through him. He forgot all memories of her beneath him, of the longing that had been tormenting him. The only thought that filled his mind was that she was using her power to manipulate him, just as Cresteks always did.

"I refuse." The words came out as a growl.

"You cannot." Kyrana's tone left no room for argument. "This is not a request, warrior. It is a command."

"You would have me live among our enemies?"

"Our allies," she corrected. "Times change, Zexx. We must change with them."

He wanted to roar his frustration, to challenge this soft-spoken Crestek, his apparent diplomatic counterpart, to combat. Instead, he clenched his jaw so hard his teeth ached. "When?"