Page 30 of Revealing Fate

“Well, sit anyway,” Tandoor urged. “Harless left for the Cypress Post this morning.” Bushy gray eyebrows waggled. “He won’t surface from that well of depravity until tomorrow at the earliest.”

Kal inwardly groaned. Rask only went to the remote post for one reason, and it wasn’t to hunt big game. Kal didn’t have time for this shit.

The third male, Zadon, filled a mug with foaming amber liquid and pushed it toward Kal. “Looks like you could use a drink.”

Kal sank into the chair and took a deep swallow of ale. “One drink,” he said, resigned. “Then I leave to drain the well.”

The Cypress Post was in the northern section of Stillwater Wood, one of the furthest hunting lodges they’d yet established. The forest there was dominated by huge cypress trees, and game was plentiful. However, the post wasn’t frequented, given its remote location. The other outposts offered abundant game without requiring such far travel from Meress.

The only reason Rask preferred the Cypress Post himself was for privacy. A shurii could scream in that section of wood, and there was no one around for miles to hear.

Kal didn’t hear any screaming now. It was past full dark when he dismounted a short distance from the lodge. Kitty had now spent nearly ten hours in his house alone, not that he was keeping track, and he couldn’t stop wondering whether she’d decided to sleep on his couch or in his bed. The fact that he didn’t know, coupled with the realization that, once returned to her brother’s care, she might never sleep under his roof again, left him irritated and edgy.

He pounded on the cabin’s door.

Kal’s ears picked up on shuffling inside. He waited, impatience growing. His fist was poised to pound again when the door swung inward.

The heavy smell of sex wafted into his face. Kal was momentarily caught off guard when his gaze collided with a pair of familiar, kohl-lined blue eyes. The woman who’d opened the door had crimson hair that fell in thick, tousled waves past her shoulders. Surprise lit her heart-shaped features, but Kal wasn’t solely focused on her face. She was completely, unabashedly naked. Sweat beaded on her brow and trickled down her neck. Her breasts were wet and peaked. The flat plane of her pale stomach flowed into another nest of red curls at the apex of her slender thighs.

The female assessed him, her carnal gaze traveling the length of his body as though he were the one advertising forbidden delights. A coy smile lifted her pouting lips. “I remember you,” she said, voice husky.

The night he met her came back into focus. Lou. The tavern in Asteros. Santhe’s message. He recalled the feel of her throat in his vice-like grip, pushed up against a brick wall. Remembered her pitiful attempt to stab him. Her name resurfaced. “Reese.”

She smiled wider, body languid, an invitation. The chill from the open door further hardened her nipples, and her lips parted. “Please tell me you’ve come to join us.”

Kal looked past her into the lodge and caught the nude curve of another female’s plump ass. A moment later, Rask pushed his way to the door, cupping himself in a paltry attempt at modesty. “Who the fuck⁠—”

Rask’s heated glare landed on Kal and sobered immediately. “Kal,” he wheezed. “What⁠—”

“Clean up your shit, Harless,” Kal growled, patience finally snapping, “and meet me outside.” He turned on his heel, not sparing Reese another glance, and stalked into the dark.

Chapter 12

THE WRONG WOMAN

KAL WAITED, GROWING MORE AND more irritated by the minute. Rask, showcasing a rare bit of wisdom, did not make him wait long. When Kal’s friend emerged from the lodge, he was clothed, and the pervading scent of his earlier activities had been mostly scrubbed away.

“Kal…” Rask began, running a hand through his honeycomb hair. “Is she…”

Kal watched his friend squirm. Let him stew in his own discomfort. It felt good to let Rask assume the worst, considering he’d been—literally—fucking around in the forest while Kal risked life and limb to deliver his sister safely. Rask should have been in Meress. Should have been waiting like he said he’d be.

Rask’s features twisted when Kal didn’t immediately reply. “Oh gods…oh fucking gods…”

“Your sister is safe. She’s here.”

Rask nearly crumpled as Kal’s words registered. Then, his face broke into an ear-splitting smile, showing off a row of crooked teeth. He hugged Kal hard. “You did it, brother,” he managed. “You fucking did it.”

The stark relief on Rask’s face dissipated some of Kal’s irritation.

“Where is she?”

“Meress,” Kal answered. “Where I expected you to be.”

Rask ignored the comment. “Her room is prepared at my place. Did you get her in okay?”

“She’s not at your place.”

Rask wavered, fair brows pinched. “Why?”