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Having a new vision? No better opportunity to fortify the palace then.
Dividing his attention between Neeka and his task, he added the necessary defenses. Because he and the kingdom were eternally bonded, each two parts of a whole, he altered the realm’s blueprint in his mind. What he added here manifested in reality.
There went his hidden reserve of energy. The stockpile he used to heal instantly on a battlefield.
His everyday energy sprang a leak, depleting him further. Still he worked.
He was just finishing up when Neeka gasped and blinked.
“What did you see?” he demanded. Sweat dampened his skin. His limbs trembled.
Ashen, she looked anywhere but him. “No, thank you. This vision was personal, so I’m keeping it to myself.”
That, he didn’t like but understood. Rather than prod, using up more strength, he flashed to the kitchen, grabbed the backpack, and returned. “I expect results, harpy,” he said after forcing her to face him.
“You always do.” Her gaze dropped to his lips, and she licked her own.
Was the vision, perhaps, sexual in nature?
He offered her a slow grin and slid his arms around her, loving the way her breath caught. “Try to keep your mind on the mission, harpy.”
She narrowed her eyes, as if she suspected what he suspected. “You, too, Majesty.”
In a fantastic mood now, Rathbone flashed.
9
Focus.Forget the vision.
Shivering, Neeka stuffed the astounding images inside a mental box, then shoved that box into a dark corner of her mind. To be opened later. When she was alone. Sitting in an ice bath. The action failed to negate the wild mix of emotions whirling inside her. Triumph. Trepidation. Longing. So much longing.
She cast the shirtless Rathbone a swift glance and gulped. The bulging backpack hung from one of his broad shoulders. A thin sheen of sweat glistened on his wealth of glorious muscles. A handful of mátia continually scanned the area, seeking hidden foes. The others remained closed. Well, three kept watch over her, and she liked it far more than she should.
She did her best to take in the sights. They traversed the mean streets of Nova, a strange land both futuristic and ancient. Windowed tunnels connected towering buildings made of a shiny silver metal. An overgrowth of greenery climbed the walls. Cobblestone paths intersected with sparkly, translucent roads, both teeming with a ginormous military force. Little wonder her sense of danger magnified with every step.
Turning a corner, they entered a bustling city square. The array of shopping centers doubled as a training ground. Soldiers congregated in each direction. She spotted vampires, shifters, gorgons, gargoyles, and banshees. Most were young, but all were learning to brandish different weapons. Older generations patrolled here and there alongside countless residents weaving in and out of various shops.
Many females were dressed as a sexual fantasy come to life, the same as Neeka. She blended in seamlessly; Rathbone did not. He earned speculative glances from anyone they passed. He was too big, too red, too unique, and dang it, too smoldery.
Thankfully, his distinctive appearance aided her endgame.
To succeed, she was gonna have to tick him off royally.
Might as well advance her pre-elixir seduction while she had the chance. Maybe he’d be so overcome with lust, he would forgive her for the event to come.
The mental box she’d just hidden burst open. Dang it! She’d forgotten to double and triple check the lock. A mini-movie played her mind.
Rathbone pinned her against a wall papered with flowers. He lowered his head and smashed his lips to hers, kissing the air from her lungs.
Kissing her. Neeka.
Not Lore.
And that wasn’t all!
The picture morphed, revealing a naked Rathbone.He stood in his bathroom doorway. Water dotted his lashes and cascaded along row after row of scarlet strength. He was hard, his piercings straining. The mátia glittered with desperate need as they watched a clothed Neeka.
He stalked toward her...
