AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He didn’t reject her touch, but his emotions were still locked away. He continued to recite the sequence of events as if he wasn’t affected by any of it. “The only kind thing my grandfather ever did for me was to send me to Torret with a paternity test in hand. My appearance might have been enough to silence my father’s denials. I am his physical image. Still, having DNA evidence made acceptance easier.”
She chose her questions carefully, trying not to cause him further pain. “Boarding schools are expensive. Was your father wealthy?”
He shook his head, stubbornly avoiding her gaze. “He commanded the royal guard so he had powerful friends. I was amusing for a couple of months then he pulled some strings and got me a scholarship to the Seyzon Academy. That is where I met Kern.”
Scooting back her chair, she stood and went to Cylex. “Thank you.” She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him as she’d wanted to do during his entire explanation. His shoulders were broad, arms corded with muscles, and his skin was smooth and inviting. Their gazes locked and sexual awareness arced between them. She inhaled deeply, savoring his warm, woodsy scent. She’d spent so many nights dreaming about him, aching for him. She wanted to pull off his shirt and open his pants. She’d straddle his lap and sink down onto his cock, comforting him with her warm and willing body. How would he react if she leaned in and kissed him? “I know that was hard for you.”
“It wasn’t hard until you touched him.” Kern smirked.
She ignored the double-entendre and shook away the sensual haze as she returned to her seat. “Are you in touch with any of your siblings now?”
“My brother and I have not spoken since my mother died. My sisters are a different story. My mother’s death made them hungry for reassurance and they weren’t getting it anywhere else. I tried to provide some sort of stability for them.”
Yeah, nothing heroic about this man at all.
Kern’s gaze narrowed thoughtfully as they lapsed into reflective silence. “Is that why you worked for Jevara for so long? Was he using your sisters to control you?”
Cylex nodded, but he looked uncomfortable with the admission. “It’s his favorite strategy. He’d threatened to kidnap them numerous times when I refused a mission. This was the first time he acted on the threat.”
“Are they somewhere safe?” Raina wanted to know. “Zevon might help you protect them.”
“They’re staying at one of Noratu Skore’s lesser used estates and Zevon provided additional security to ensure their safety. My two older sisters were already there and Anias should have joined them by now.”
“Good. I’m glad they’re well hidden. That’s one less thing we need to worry about.” Noratu was one of Flora’s mates and his family owned half of Altor. Still, it had been nice of him to offer. His connection to the endangered young women was remote. She finally shifted her gaze to Kern and flashed a challenging smile. “It’s your turn.”
He shrugged. “Unlike Cylex’s story, all of my adversity was dumped into the beginning. My life got progressively better as time went on.”
If that were true then why was he so dark and moody? She couldn’t explain why, but his damage seemed recent.
“I never knew either of my parents. I have been told that my mother was raped by my father, but I have never found the fact any more meaningful than the date or location of my birth.”
“You are so full of shit,” Cylex growled out, his features expressive again. His emotions were still subdued, but he was allowing her to sense them. “He is tortured by the possibility that he might have inherited his father’s violent nature. That is what drew him to sexual training and it’s also what drove him away.”
Kern glared, crossing his arms over his chest. “I did not add my commentary to your story, so shut the hell up.”
“I was honest with her,” Cylex countered. “As she said, she can’t decide if we are worthy mates if she doesn’t know who the fuck we are.”
“A transfer link would be much faster and more effective than rehashing all of the unpleasantness in our pasts.”
“Fine,” Raina cut in. “I already share a mind link with Cylex. Open your mind and show me who you are.”
Kern stood up suddenly and moved several paces away. “I told you enough already. I have worked very hard to overcome my past. The rest is irrelevant.”
Raina was disappointed, but she didn’t push. She was stuck here for at least two weeks. She would try again later. “Let’s talk about something else.”
“Fabulous idea.” Kern returned to the table but didn’t sit down. “Let’s talk about your past.”
“You know all there is to know about my past. I was raised on Earth believing I was human. My life was routine until I was kidnapped, for the first time.”
“Thank you for the recap. Now, I want to finish our conversation about last night,” Kern insisted. He was more comfortable advancing than defending. “I think it’s important for Cylex to hear the details of last night.”
“You just want to embarrass me.”
His brows arched. “The same could be said of you.”
This was retaliation, plain and simple. She’d made him feel vulnerable so he was returning the favor. Despite the fact that he was being a jerk, her pulse raced and her breathing sped.
“I wouldn’t mind a clearer picture of what transpired.” Predictably, Cylex encouraged Kern.
