Page 133

Before he could kiss her, with tears in her eyes she whispered, “Okay. Just this once.”

Thirty-One

Aftermath

Aculus

A ping at the door distracted him as he was headed to the washroom. He looked at the display and sighed. Axilla, and Tellar holding Tarsus, were waiting in the hallway.

“We’re getting ready,” Aculus said as he opened the door.

“I can see that,” his matron replied dubiously as she glanced at his outfit.

I guess some things will never change.

“Obviously I haven’t dressed yet. I’m letting Nadzia do whatever it is that takes her so long in the washroom. Although she sounded more preoccupied with the broadcasts.” He shook his head.

“She’s not the only one,” Tellar commented with an overt glance toward Axilla.

“We have to keep up with the public opinion,” Axilla countered.

“And it seems that it’s largely positive,” Tellar reassured her.

“Of course it’s positive. Our new daughter commands the only known flock of the goddess’s raptors. She’s revealed herself to be quite the warrior.” Axilla smiled at him with pride.

His matron had a way with words but she wasn’t wrong. Nadzia had a soft side that hid a hardened warrior beneath. They were completely opposite that way, and yet, they were perfect together.

“She is amazing,” he chuckled at the irony. “So, where did you find this furry beast?”

“In the garden.” Tellar handed Tarsus over.

Aculus looked over his shoulder and sure enough the veranda door was open.

“Mmm, trouble.” He eyed the little escape artist. Tarsus blinked at him, totally unremorseful. “Thank you. We’ll be down as soon as I can get Nadzia out of the washroom,” he assured them and started to go back inside.

“One moment.” Axilla halted him, her expression serious.

“The Jurou Biljana is refusing to speak to anyone but you,” Tellar filled him in.

“You should’ve notified me sooner.” He was, after all, the chief commander.

“We all needed a break. And we wanted to be certain the reptile wasn’t hiding any lethal surprises,” Tellar explained.

“I guess it’s good I didn’t get changed.”

“True,” Axilla conceded with a shrug.

“I’ll be late to the pronouncement party, but I’ll get Jyk to talk,” he assured them and carried Tarsus back into the suite.

Aculus shut the veranda doors before setting the kitten down, then returned to his original goal. He stood quietly in the washroom door, studying Nadzia’s profile, as she leaned nude against the counter. As suspected, she was preoccupied watching the broadcasts on the nearby display screen while making her full lips a sultry shade of red, not that they needed to be any more enticing. He wanted to nibble the color off. He was also tempted to run his hands along the creamy swells of her behind and give them a squeeze.

Tempting. He tilted his head. After all, she had rested since yesterday’s unbelievable events.

There was a sudden crash behind him.

“Tarsus! What are you getting into now?!” Nadzia’s head swung toward him.

Her eyes widened, then she grinned seductively and sauntered up to him. His gaze raked the length of her curvy little body.