“Hello,” she said, and even in the dimming light I could see the crimson smear of desire across her cheeks. If I slipped a claw beneath her tunic and sniffed, I knew I’d smell her arousal, too. But there would be time for that later. Her small hand safe in mine, I led her around the fire, returning to my place next to Gahn Irokai. My hackles rose as I felt the eyes of many warriors fall upon her, some with apprehension, some with curiosity, many with lust. If any man looked too long, I’d be forced to tear his eyes from his skull.

Galok, who was now seated on Zeezee’s left, having moved over for her, seemed to sense the dark waves rolling off of me. He averted his eyes and took a large bite of meat, chewing forcefully, staring into the flames. Taliok, however, did not avert his eyes. His tight gaze tracked back and forth between Zeezee and me, forcing a warning thrum to build in my throat. Only then did he finally look away, though the gesture did not seem submissive.

Gahn Irokai distracted me from my possessive rage by speaking.

“Have you learned anything else about these women? About where they come from, who they are?”

“They come from a place we have never known. Beyond the stars.”

Gahn Irokai sucked in a breath.

“Impossible,” he said, regarding me with suspicion.

“Trust me, I know how you feel. But it’s true.” Zeezee’s voice drifted past me to Gahn Irokai, shocking him like lightning from a desert storm.

“She speaks!” He thundered, rearing back. Taliok jerked to look at us, jaw tight, sight stars spinning.

“Do you deceive me, Buroudei? Last time she pretended she could not speak.”

I was about to answer when Zeezee cut me off. I was not used to having a woman speak for me like this, especially to another Gahn. But Zeezee did not seem like she could be stopped. She shook her head quickly, leaning around me to better see the other Gahn.

“No, it’s true. I couldn’t speak your language then.”

“Then how do you speak with us now? You only have one tongue. It does not seem like you would learn our language so easily.”

My pride flared in defensive anger. How dare he insult my mate’s perfect, single tongue.

“Zeezee has learned many of our words on her own. Her people are resourceful and intelligent.”

Zeezee patted my shoulder.

“It’s OK. He’s right. I’m good with languages, but I’d never learn to speak it this fast.”

Between the two of us, we pieced together the story of our night at the space ship, including how I’d killed one of Gahn Fallo’s men, and how I’d rushed to the Lavrika Pools to heal Zeezee. Gahn Irokai looked drawn. Taliok was silent.

“I wonder if am I grown too old to be a Gahn, in times like these. Strange things are afoot.”

I snorted, knowing Gahn Irokai was not serious. No Gahn would ever admit to a true vulnerability like that, not in front of another tribe’s men. He was one of the most powerful warriors of the Sea Sands, even at his age. I imagined it would be many ages before he would choose a successor, or call for a baklok, a tournament meant to determine a tribe’s next Gahn if there was no successor chosen.

Gahn Irokai and Taliok did not continue the conversation, lost in their own thoughts. I turned my attention to my mate as Balia laid down a bone tray with the choicest bits of meat before us, raising her tail before returning to her seat. Zeezee grinned, reaching forward and to grab some meat and popped it in her mouth.

“Mmm. Tastes like steak.” I did not know what steak was, but the eroticism of the image before me led me to think it was something to do with mating. I pulled her against my side, sniffing at her neck, at that sweet spot behind her ear as she gasped, then giggled.

“Hey, I’m trying to eat here!”

It was good she was eating. Though the Lavrika Pools had healed her completely, she had still been through a lot. Lots of food and good rest were in order, especially since she would soon be carrying our cub. The thought lit a fire in my chest, and my arm clenched around her, my cock growing hard. I could not wait to mate her again tonight.

After eating, we bid goodnight to our allies, and Zeezee and I returned to our tent. As soon as we were inside we were on each other, mouths searching, hands grappling. As I reached for the hem of Zeezee’s tunic, to pull it up and over her head, she stopped me, yanking it back down.

“Wait, wait a second. Before we get down and dirty, we should talk about tomorrow.”

I frowned.

“What is there to talk about?”

“Well, like, what’s the plan? I know we leave at dawn. But is there anything else I need to know?”

Perhaps the Lavrika had imparted our language imperfectly. I thought I had heard Zeezee say “we.”

“The other warriors and I,” I began carefully, watching her with suspicion, “will leave at dawn tomorrow. Gahn Fallo’s territory is one day’s ride from here. We will attack tomorrow night and retrieve your people.”

She crossed her arms, causing her breasts to plump up in the most delicious way. I reached for her again, but she stepped back.

“Doesn’t sound like a complete plan to me. You left something out. Or someone.”

“And what, or who, is that?” I asked dryly. I already knew the answer.

“Me. I’m coming with you.”

OceanofPDF.com

OceanofPDF.com

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE Cece

Buroudei didn’t seem to like that I wanted to come with him. His face hardened, and he stared at me flatly as I told him I was coming with him. But what the hell did he expect? That I would just let him ride off into the sunset with his warriors, tossing women over their shoulders like cavemen? I ignored the fact that that was exactly what he’d done with me.

“You are not coming.”

I rolled my eyes.

“And why is that? Because I’m a woman?”

Buroudei cocked his head, as if confused by a question with an obvious answer.

“Yes.”

My mouth fell open. I wasn’t expecting such a blunt answer, but I shut it quickly.

“Where I come from there are male and female warriors, you know!”

Buroudei looked thoughtful for a moment.

“Are you one of them?”

I felt heat creep up my neck. Ah, yes, Officer Celia Heaney, a well-trained, decorated soldier in the regiment of the Department of Linguistics at the University of Toronto. Good grief.

“No,” I admitted. “But I’m still coming.”

Buroudei sighed, reaching forward to brush a finger along my lower lip. I fought the urge to open my mouth and suck. I need to be serious here.

“It is too dangerous, my mate. You do not know how to use a blade. If you are present, I would only be distracted.”

A sharp pang went through me as I remembered how terrible my distraction had been last time Buroudei had been fighting with another warrior. It had almost cost him his life. But, then again, I’d still ended up helping him in the end.

“I don’t plan on fighting. I’ll stay far back, and wait until everything is over. Maybe there won’t even be any fighting. Can’t you just creep in and sneak my friends out?”

“That will not be possible. And it is not our way. We settle things on the battlefield, not sneaking under the secret cover of night.”

I blew out a harsh breath.

“I don’t understand why you need to kill each other over stuff like this, especially when your population is so depleted. Alright, well, battle or not, I am coming. I haven’t seen my friends in days. I need to make sure they’re alright. I need to, Buroudei.”

My throat tightened with unexpected tears. I was desperate to make sure my friends were OK. If I could have gone to see them tonight somehow, I would have. Now that I knew they hadn’t died that first day, I couldn’t wait to see them face to face. And beyond that, I needed some human connection. Something to tie me to my old life, just a little. I loved Buroudei, and I was happy to be with him. But I needed to be around my people, too.