Slipping my hand into his huge clawed one, we walk to the hatchery, only a little bit late.
Chapter 20
Lyro
Kissing her was a mistake. Maybe the best mistake of my life, though. All morning, I watch her mouth as she sings, replaying how she melted in my arms. Molded herself to me, welcoming and pliant. She wanted nothing from me but the truth. No favor, no proof of loyalty, no pretense. Just one moment of truth in exchange for one moment of truth.
And I gave it to her.
Such a mistake.
Because now I understand why Oljin did what he did. Why he’d let civilizations fall to save his mate.
“I need something from you,” I say to the fur-fucker the instant his eight eyes make an appearance. I knew they would, as eager as he is to watch what’s mine.
Harl’s gray hide ripples with wary surprise. “From me?”
“My comm unit was destroyed when I landed. I need yours.”
“Landed is a generous term,” he says wryly.
I glower at him. “Call it whatever you want. I know you have a comm. I need it.”
“It can’t transmit,” he protests. “Only General Raknu’s comm has a transmitter.”
“I don’t need to transmit. I just need to listen.” Need to know if the tiny seed of hope I planted before I left for R’Hiza hassprouted. I need to know if my mother is safe so I can focus on Lena’s safety.
He blinks at me. “Listen to what?”
“None of your frixing business.”
He gives me a crafty look. “My general would be very unhappy if he knew I allowed you access to my comm.”
“So don’t tell him.”
“I would need a considerable incentive to keep that kind of secret.” He looks at me and then at Lena. My jaw clenches hard enough to make my teeth ache. If he thinks I’ll offer her to him, he has a death wish.
“Fine. I’ll gut you end-to-end while you sleep if you don’t loan me your comm. Does that incentivize you?”
He snorts. “Good luck. My hide’s thick.”
“My blade’s sharp.”
“Your blade is locked in an armory. I put it there myself.” I jerk my head toward him in surprise, and he gives me a smirk. “You didn’t check? A warrior like you, I was sure you would treat your weapon like a wife and offer it tender words and caresses each night before you sleep.”
Frixing scroll-sniffer. Thinks he’s so superior because he relies on his brain to survive instead of his strength. If he wants to believe I’m just battle-meat, let him underestimate me.
“I was too busy on top of the furs to check underneath them,” I say pointedly, and his smug expression disappears. “Anyway, I don’t need weapons to split your skin. My claws will work just as well.”
“I want to be alone with her,” he says bluntly. “I’ll leave you to your own devices with the comm while we’re together. I won’t lie to my general, but if I don’t see it, I can’t lie about it.”
“No.” I don’t even have to think about it. No way am I letting him and his floppy Frathik cock anywhere near Lena unsupervised.
He doesn’t argue, just gives me a calculating look. “You know where to find me when you change your mind.”
“Sleep with all eight eyes open.”
With a lingering glance at Lena, he leaves, and I sag back against the wall.
