Page 28

When I’ve drunk all the brandy...

S omething startles me awake. I jump, squeak, and then I freeze.

I don’t move a muscle, not even opening my eyes, just in case it’s one of the slavers out for a midnight stroll and stumbling across my sorry, worthless ass.

Or maybe something even worse. An image of scary crimson eyes flashes across my closed lids.

But nothing bad happens, and I get bored of playing dead, so I squint open one eye. A pair of long dark boots stands right in front of me. I tip my head slightly and take in a pair of familiar black leather pants encasing a very impressive set of thighs. Thighs I thankfully recognize.

Thanouq is back.

I hope he’s not wanting his brandy.

I push myself up a little and wince at the pain that shoots through me. But it’s better—the brandy has dulled the sharp edges a little. “Hi,” I say. “You’re back.” Nothing like stating the obvious. The pain isn’t the only thing the brandy has dulled.

He crouches down next to me, reaches out, and picks up the bottle lying beside me. He shakes it—there’s actually maybe an inch in the bottom that sloshes from side to side.

“I saved you some,” I say with a bright smile.

His lips twitch, but he raises the bottle to his mouth and drinks. “You look… better,” he says.

“I feel better.” Actually, I feel a little weird, sort of lightheaded and fuzzy. Hmm—I wonder why.

“Have you eaten anything?” he asks.

I shake my head and wish I hadn’t as the world starts to spin.

He gives me one last look and then straightens and grabs the backpack from the ground, comes back, and sits down beside me, his legs stretched out next to mine. They’re about a foot longer. He rummages through the bag and pulls out some bread and cheese and a bottle of water. He hands me some food. I stare at it, then decide I might possibly keep it down and take a small bite. Then a bigger one…

“So what did you find?” I ask between mouthfuls.

“The camp is about two miles that way.” He waves an arm to the south. “And it’s big—probably two hundred slaves and around fifty guards. But no shadowguard.”

“That’s good. Isn’t it?” Though fifty guards against our little group doesn’t sound promising.

“Yes. But unusual. I don’t like it.”

“That’s a lot of guards. Can you take them? You and Khaosti, I mean?”

“Maybe. We’ll likely need Therion as well. And hopefully the slaves will help once they see us. But it will mean you and your friend will be alone if it all goes wrong.”

“It won’t, will it?” If they die, this is my fault. I’m the one who pushed for this. “Please don’t die. You won’t, will you?”

“Likely not. But if I do, you need to know where to go.” He pulls a piece of paper from inside his jacket. “I made this. It’s a map. It will get you to the Crone.”

I take it. “I thought you couldn’t tell us where she was.”

“Not couldn’t. Wouldn’t. Not until I knew I could trust you.”

“That’s sweet. You trust me. I feel all warm and fuzzy.”

“That’s the brandy.” He nods to the map clutched in my hand. “Just don’t show the map to that fucker, Khaosti, if he survives and I don’t.”

“You really don’t like him, do you?”

He snorts. “What’s there to like?”

I can think of one or two things, but mostly he’s right. I suppose.

“Don’t trust him,” Thanouq says. “He’s his father’s son. And his father is a complete bastard.”

“What about Khendril?” I ask. “Doesn’t he take after his father?”

“They are half-brothers. Maybe Khendril takes after his mother, at least in character. In looks, he was all Astrali. But enough about them. We need to sleep.”

At the mention of sleep, a wave of exhaustion washes over me, and I yawn. Thanouq reaches across and takes the last of the bread from my hand. He puts it in his mouth and chews. He catches me watching him, and a look of speculation enters his gaze.

He strokes the pad of his thumb over my mouth, then lowers his head, and kisses me softly. And I let him. I want to know if his kiss affects me. Maybe Khaosti’s not the only one who can make my heart beat faster. Sadly—there’s nothing.

Finally, he backs away.

“You’re drunk,” he murmurs. “When I kiss you properly, I want you to know exactly who is doing the kissing. I don’t want to be a distraction or a substitute for anyone else.”

“You’re not.” Okay, so maybe that’s not entirely the truth.

“I’d rather be sure. But don’t get me wrong. I want to kiss you and a hell of a lot more. I think we would be good together. But you’re hurt, not to mention drunk. Go to sleep, Amber.”

I’m glad he’s not pushing it. He’s such a good guy, and I’m such a mess—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Not to mention fixated on another man who doesn’t seem to like me much most of the time.

“You’re a nice man,” I mumble.

He snorts again. “No, I’m not. And it’s best you don’t forget that.” He moves closer. “Now sleep.”

I nod. “Do you want the blanket?” I ask, my whole body shivering at the thought of giving it up. “Because there’s only one, and you might die tomorrow, and it will be my fault, and I’d hate your last night to be a cold one and—”

“We can share. If that works for you.”

I want to play it cool, but that definitely works for me. “Oh yes.” Before he can change his mind and decide I can’t be trusted under a blanket with him, I unwrap it from my shoulders, cover myself with it, then hold up the side. He hesitates.

I smirk. “Don’t be frightened. I won’t bite.”

Something feral glints in his eyes, and it occurs to me that maybe I shouldn’t tease the griffin shifter. But before I can say anything else, he slides closer and under the blanket. For a second, we both sit awkwardly, unsure how to fit our body parts together. Then he wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me gently down so we’re lying on the sand, my good side pressed against him. And he is so unbelievably hot. I’ve never slept this close to anyone, and I’m sure I’m not going to be able to shut down. But then his fingers stroke my hair, and a moment later… I’m out.

When I open my eyes again, the night is almost gone, replaced by the first glow of dawn. I’m sprawled across Thanouq’s body—he makes a pretty good bed—our legs tangled, his arm holding me close. Beneath me, his muscles tense. I’m pretty sure he’s awake, and I suppose I should get up, but I’m warm and comfortable, and I know that will vanish as soon as I move. “Just a minute more,” I mumble.

His big hand splays across my back, and he whispers in my ear, “Are you aware we have company?”

Well, obviously not. I go still and squeeze my eyes shut. I can feel his chest rumbling beneath me. He’s chuckling to himself.

I slowly ease myself off him and roll over. My gaze goes straight to Khaosti—as it always seems to do. He doesn’t look happy. His eyes are sort of feral, and a growl rumbles in his throat. I look quickly away.

Therion is expressionless. No surprise there.

Zayne raises an eyebrow. “Busted,” he says.