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In a blink, the general unfolded himself from the cushioned chair, launching his larger body right for me. “Wait!”
Cyderial moved at a greater speed than any instructor or student I had ever trained with. Catching me instantaneously around the middle by a pair of strong arms, he proved his physical prowess was so far beyond my skill.
Stronger. Larger. Hard where I was soft.
Still, I fought with all I had.
A lifetime of training in hand-to-hand combat earned me a few solid strikes, but not enough. Kicking air, all claws and snarls, I found myself completely outmatched. In mere moments, he had my hands pinned at my back, bracing my struggles against a broad chest.
Not a single technique I had been taught made any difference.
Cyderial was my superior—not just in age and rank.
“Lorieyn, I’m not going to hurt you.”
But he would do other things!
Throwing back my head, I screamed at the top of my lungs. Even as the cries rattled windowpanes, I knew deep down no one would come to my aid.
Who would oppose the command of a general regarding the female he’d stolen as his mate?
His elusive rank was practically on par with God to hybrid kind. Humans revered all he had done to protect the settlement.
He was a decorated hero. I was just a recruit with a mediocre performance record no one would miss.
“Listen, my darling, you are safe.I am not going to hurt you. I’m not going to force you.” Patting my back like I was a child, he rocked me slightly, still pinning my hands to the small of my back. “All I want is to offer you some food. Just food, all right?”
Showing teeth, I snarled, “Let go!”
He did, his body between me and my escape route as he gently eased me down. Moving carefully away from where I shook, his hands spread in supplication before him, he apologized. “It was an involuntary response. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Involuntary? He was the one who had left me the naked dress and invaded my privacy. Rattled and angry, I barked, “You don’t have permission to touch me!”
Nodding in agreement, composed despite the fact that he had just chased me across the room, he said, “You must be hungry. Conversation and dinner, that’s all I ask.”
The door was still right there, five paces away. So close I could taste it. But I had seen the speed at which he could move. I would never make it. I would be caught and humiliated, and his response might not be as unruffled or apologetic the second time.
Caged, I measured the room and considered my options.
I had none.
Voice employing a soothing pitch, he offered, “I do not want you to be under the impression that you are trapped in this room. Running in a panic through unfamiliar ground is a sure way to get hurt. This is your home; everything within it is yours. There is safety and comfort in these walls.”
I may have been much younger, but I was not stupid. “I understand what you’re pointedlynotsaying. I’m not trapped in the room, but I’m only safe in the walls of your house.”
“You should not leaveourhome until you are—” He chose his next word after a moment of consideration. “—confident.” Smiling as if all he said was reasonable, Cyderial explained, “The city can be confusing. The layout was not designed for ease of travel but to mislead hunting vorec before the filters were constructed to keep the fog and predators at bay. Right now, you have no basis for orientation. When you are ready, I will escort you through the streets and teach you how to navigate them.”
Eyebrows high, eyes wide, I asked, “What gauge will determine if I’mconfidentenough to leave?”
“Right now, you are frightened. Give yourself time to acclimatize to our new situation.”
The logic was sound, but there was no mistaking I was caught in his web, under his control right where he wanted me. It also didn’t help that I wasn’t feeling well, too hot, extremely agitated, and tired, though I must have slept far more than normal.
He’d claimed I’d slept in his bed for two whole days.
As if his thoughts paired mine, he urged my attention toward a waiting table set for two. “You’ll feel better once you eat.”
He would make short work of me if I was weak from starvation, but I was too keyed up on adrenaline to possess any desire for sustenance. Closer to nausea, as fevered as I was.
