by Hope Hart
“None of your business.”
Her other hand is free, and she aims it at my head, growling when I catch it.
“Let me go, perv.”
I smile at the sheath strapped to her thigh. “Is this knife dipped in poison?”
“You’ll find out when you least expect it,” she vows, and I laugh.
She stares at me, likely unused to hearing me make such a sound. Truthfully, I’m also unused to making it.
“Where are your other weapons?”
She clamps her mouth shut, and I sigh. I check her boots next, encountering not one but two small daggers. I run my hands up her arms, finding another knife. I frown at the long piece of metal wrapped around her upper arm.
“Jewelry,” she tells me, and I sigh, removing the metal band. While even I can admit this female is beautiful, there’s no doubt she doesn’t spend much time on her appearance. Her lady’s maid was imprisoned after working with our enemies, and the castle gossiped relentlessly about how Sarissa refused to take another maid, choosing instead to get ready alone each day.
The only jewelry I have ever seen her wear are the blue stones in her ears. If she wants me to believe the strange piece of metal in my hand is jewelry, she’ll be disappointed, because it most definitely is not.
Her eyes darken with frustration. But she stays silent.
“Is this all?”
She nods, and I sigh.
“I’m tired. Don’t make me search the rest of you.”
She pulls at her hand, still trapped in my fist, and I let it go with a warning look. Her hand disappears down her dress, between her breasts, and she pulls out a thin knife.
My mouth drops open. The woman is a walking armory.
She smirks at me. “I want these all back in the morning.”
I study her. She’s waiting for me to agree, one eyebrow raised.
“Where is the last weapon?”
She growls, gesturing at the pile next to me on the bed. “Are you kidding me? You just took it.”
I reach into the pocket of her dress, pulling out a pile of papers. One of them is a map of this part of Agron, and I study it with interest. “You’ve been busy.”
She ignores that, and I place the papers next to her weapons.
I survey every inch of her, going as far as to make her roll onto her stomach as I run my fingers along her spine. She shivers, and I ignore what that does to my body.
“No knife here?”
“I have a bung shoulder. I can’t reach for it quickly.”
I almost concede, but while her face is a blank mask, she can’t hide the hint of triumph in her eyes as I begin gathering her weapons.
I lean forward and pull the ornate pin from her hair. Her golden locks tumble down around her face, and this time, she’s truly furious.
I study the hairpin, unsheathing it and whistling as I poke the sharp end. “I haven’t seen these before.”
“I had it made for me,” she grits out.
I meet her eyes. “I wouldn’t have known, but you rarely wear ornaments in your hair.”
I don’t know why I feel the need to explain, but she’s silent as I move her weapons away. I’d think her cowed if not for the resentment that burns in her eyes.
“You will rue the fucking day you decided to come after me. Do you hear me?”
I smile at that, placing her weapons on the table by my window.
Sarissa keeps talking. “I bet taking my weapons and tying me up makes you feel like a man.”
I scowl at that. This female has an uncanny ability to annoy me, which she uses ruthlessly. And I usually can’t help but retaliate.
I pick up another piece of material, ignoring her gasp of outrage as I take her free hand. She bucks, kicking out, and I narrowly miss her foot as she aims at my balls.
Vicious female.
I tie her other hand to my bed. Turns out I’m not a merciful male after all.
“You’re right,” I say. “It does make me feel like a man.”
She stays sullenly silent, and I sigh, pulling one of my blankets from the bed. I leave the rest for the hellion and walk toward the long sofa in front of my fire. She casts the flames a wary look, and I frown at her.
“Go to sleep.”
Chapter Two
Sarissa
I hate the commander.
I’ve always hated him, of course. But before this, I hated him the way you’d hate a bad boss, or a colleague who took credit for your work.
It was a distant kind of hate. One I could put aside when I wasn’t near him so I could focus on other things.
Now my hatred for him is all-encompassing. My hands shake, twitching with the urge to wrap them around his wide neck.
I wouldn’t kill him, of course. That would be more than a little awkward for my cousin. But I’d love to choke him out, tie him up, and leave him cursing my name.
The thought fills me with warmth, and I allow visions of my revenge to float through my head. Korzyn doesn’t know it now, but he has fucked up big time.
Revenge is a dish best served with a punch in the face.
I glower as he rolls over again, the crackling of the fire the only other sound in the room. Truthfully, we don’t need a fire, but earlier, he ran his eyes indolently over my body and added another log. The implication being, of course, that I’m a scrawny, weak human who needs to be kept warm.
I haven’t slept a wink. The hours crawled by as I waited for the commander to go to sleep so I could figure out a way to get free, collect my weapons, and still hopefully make my boat. All the plans I’ve made, ruined by the commander. Typical.
I’m not dumb. I have every mile of my journey mapped out. I’ve got contacts on both this side and the other side of the water, all waiting for me. Tonight, once I crossed the water, I was supposed to walk east for about a mile until I came to the tiny town of Hexir, where my friend Weva’s sister, Teriez, lives. I planned to spend the rest of the night there before leaving at first light and walking back west until I reached the forest.
From there, I would have made my way to Rakiz’s camp, staying with friends and contacts along the way. It shouldn’t have taken more than a few days on foot, and I have backup plans for my backup plans.
I scowl. The commander hasn’t seemed to sleep any more than I have. At one point, I began tugging on one of my hands, certain I could feel weakness where it was connected to the bedpost. Korzyn sat up and let out a low growl, vowing that if I didn’t stop, he’d come and sleep next to me.
The room is lighter now, and I’m sure the sun is rising. By now, I should be across the water and on my way to Rakiz’s camp.
I blow out a frustrated breath. I’ll just have to adjust my plans. The commander will definitely cramp my style. But if leaving with him is what I have to do to get the chip to Alexis, then that’s what I’ll do.
I may fantasize about burying the commander alive, but I can still see the bigger picture.
And that picture includes revenge against the Grivath for daring to think they could fuck with human women without repercussions.
Korzyn has obviously given up on sleep as well because he rolls to his feet, cutting me a glare as he stalks toward his curtains and throws them open.
A knock sounds at the door.
“Come in,” I call, my voice carrying over Korzyn’s “not now.”
The servant blanches as she walks in, her mouth dropping open as she takes me in, her gaze lingering over my hands still tied to the bed. Korzyn closes his eyes for one long moment, and I barely suppress a victorious grin.
“I know, right? The commander is into some dirty, dirrrrty stuff. Spread the word.”
Korzyn growls out a curse, and the servant begins backing away.
“Don’t leave,” I call out. “I need breakfast.”
My toes curl, and I almost explode with laughter as the servant enters with her tray, placing it on a table near the window. She stares at the pile of weapons sitting on that same table.
“Oh, that,” I say. “The commander enjoys knife play in bed. It makes him feel like an alpha.”
“Sarissa,” Korzyn snaps, his voice like ice, and the servant blushes, hurrying away. Once she’s gone, I can’t hold it any longer. I burst out laughing.
“Okay,” I say, wishing I could wipe the tears off my face. “That was hilarious. Now untie me.”
“Naughty females don’t get untied.”
I scowl at him. “My bladder says they do, unless you want me to let loose allll over your bed.”
He raises one eyebrow at that but prowls over to me, eyeing me as if I’m a poisonous snake.
He swipes one of my blades as he passes the table, and it looks tiny in his huge hand. When he leans down, I hold my breath so I don’t have to breathe in the male scent of him. He slashes the material holding me, and I slowly pull my wrist away from the bed, scowling at him as I rub my skin. He raises one eyebrow in a way that suggests I’m being a drama queen.
Dickhead.
He slices the other piece of material and retreats back to the food, picking up a piece of fruit. I roll off the bed and stalk toward the bathroom attached to Korzyn’s room. I can feel his eyes on me, but I carefully ignore him as I open the door.
I immediately scan the room for weapons, but I’m out of luck. I take care of business, wishing I could lounge in Korzyn’s huge tub positioned next to a window overlooking the gardens. In the distance, the river winds through the castle grounds, cutting through the town and toward the marketplace.
I wash my hands, scowling into the mirror. Since Korzyn took my pin away, my hair is tangled, the blonde strands falling around my face. It makes me look younger, and much more innocent than I’ve ever been.
There’s a reason I don’t like to leave my hair down. When I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror, I see Claire, running wild through our childhood home.
I turn away, open the door, and immediately meet Korzyn’s gaze. “I need my weapons back.”
He snorts, and I simply raise one eyebrow.
“Are we or are we not traveling together? I need to be armed.”
“I will protect you.”
“Yeah, that’s not going to work for me.”
Standoff. Finally, he sighs and gestures toward my weapons. I don’t have a heart attack from the shock, but it’s a close call.
I narrow my eyes at him.
“We will have an escort to the dock,” he says. “In case you’re having any thoughts about taking your weapons and running away.”
I frown, but the sound of the door opening brings full realization.
“Sarissa Quinn Davis! I got your note,” my cousin says from behind me. Korzyn’s face stays blank, but amusement flickers in his eyes at my groan. “You were going to sneak out of here without letting me know?”
I whirl. “Korzyn trailing after me is your fault?”
Arix steps behind my cousin, giving me a warning look. I roll my eyes.
She scowls at me. “It sure is. I knew you’d run, and I expressed my concern to Arix.”
“You know I could’ve easily gotten back to Rakiz’s camp alone,” I say. “That big dumb commander is nothing but a liability who’ll draw attention to us both.”
Korzyn makes a strangled sound behind me, and Vivian lifts her hand, covering her mouth as her eyes laugh at me.
“I know you could. I also know you’ve made more than enough contacts to go alone. But I’d worry the whole time. Please, can’t you just take him with you?”
Vivian holds her hands up in front of her as if begging, and I open my mouth to refuse, but Arix’s eyes harden. I sigh. The big guy wouldn’t look so stubborn if he didn’t truly think my cousin would be upset with me going alone.
For a moment, resentment burns. I had a plan, and without Vivian’s interference, I would’ve been well on my way back to camp by now.
At first, we assumed Dragix would stop by the castle. After all, he was bringing a few of Vivian’s friends here every day after she was almost killed. When he didn’t show up to collect the chip, we sent a message to Nevada. According to her, the dragon has been out hunting for days.
I stayed here for Vivian’s coronation. I even twiddled my thumbs for a few more days, waiting to hear back about Dragix. Finally, the control chip began consuming my every thought.
Each moment the control chip is in my possession is a moment Alexis and Kate aren’t installing it in our ship.
“Fine,” I bite out, sighing at Vivian’s hurt look. I soften my tone. “I’ll let the commander crash my party.”
“Great,” she says. Her gaze searches my face, and she attempts a smile. “We’ll walk you to the dock.”
I glance over my shoulder to where Korzyn is lounging by the window, suspiciously silent. He’s doing his usual blank face, but the corner of his lip twitches—the only sign he’s appreciating his victory.
Whatever Arix promised him must be a doozy.
Korzyn
The hellion is quiet as we walk toward the dock. Before we left, she collected her weapons, excusing herself to the bathroom, where she obviously slid them all back into place. When she returned, her hair was in a sleek bun, held up with her lethal hairpin, and she looked calm and composed.
I ignored the urge to pull out that pin, if only to enjoy the way her eyes would flash at me when she bared her tiny teeth.
She’s irritated with her cousin. And from the glances Vivian keeps sending toward her, she’s likely picking up on that annoyance. Arix grinds his teeth, frowning at me, and I shrug in return.
I’m holding up my end of the bargain.
The bargain he forced me to make.
His words repeat in my head each time I think about turning down this trip with Sarissa.
“Viv loves her cousin. She needs her to be safe to remain happy. If she finds that Sarissa is traveling alone, she will worry. She may even cry.” Arix looks murderous at the thought. “I don’t care how either of you feel about each other. You will both fall in line. You will take her to that camp, and you will not let her get one scratch I can’t explain to my queen.”
I raise one eyebrow. I do many things for Arix. I’ve risked my life for him since I was little more than a young boy. But spending so long with the barbed female is out of the question.
“And why would I subject myself to that atrocity?”
Arix smiles, and it is a very satisfied one. “Because I will tell you which female you kissed at my mate’s coronation.”
I tense. “What do you know of it?”
He shrugs. “You spoke about it for days, revealing all the details. It was only a matter of time before I was able to narrow down my suspects.”
I consider that. Vivian’s coronation was on Seva—the night once a year when thousands of shooting stars take over the night sky. After dinner, almost everyone wandered outside, standing in groups or finding quiet spots to sit and watch the incredible sight.
I’d been flirting with a noblewoman all night. She was from Mazark’s territory, with dark hair and darker eyes, and when I sat down alone in the darkness, she sat next to me, wrapped in a cloak to keep her warm from the chill of the night.
She no longer talked or giggled. Instead, she looked up at the sky and sighed as if her heart was breaking.
I was surprised when she cuddled close, unused to females being so forward. But her scent drew me in, somehow so different and yet familiar at the same time.
Within moments, I cupped her face, taking her mouth the way I wanted to take her body. She yielded to me, letting out the tiniest moan that I captured with my lips.
Voices intruded, and she jumped to her feet, backing away. Later, I described every inch of her to Arix, who claimed not to know who she was.
“You found her?”
He shrugs, and I glower at him.
“I’ve put my body between yours and any who would harm you for my entire life, and you won’t give me a simple name?”
Arix’s jaw ti
ghtens. “One day, you will find a female for whom you would sacrifice anything to see her smile, and you will understand. For now, I offer you a trade. Make sure both Sarissa and that chip arrive at Rakiz’s camp in one piece. It will only take a few days of your time, and I will give you the name.”
So here I am, climbing into a boat with Sarissa, who looks just as displeased as I am. She’s right about one thing, however—choosing to take guards with us would be a mistake. Particularly since they likely know she’s traveling back with the chip.
That reminds me. “You should give me the chip.”
She wrinkles her nose at me. “Not on your life.”
I rub my temple in an attempt to ward off the headache that is beginning to throb there. Sarissa blows a kiss at her cousin, who grins at her.
“Promise you’ll be careful,” Vivian calls.
“Of course. I’ll see you soon.”
I shift, attempting to ignore the way the boat rolls as the captain takes us further from the dock. Like most Braxians, I hate the water.
I glance back at Sarissa. “I will keep the chip safe.”
She snorts. “Uh-huh. Not gonna happen. Nice try though.”
I shrug. I’m not sure where Sarissa could be hiding the chip, but if it’s anything like her weapons, it’s likely well hidden. Either way, I have a greater chance of standing up to torture than she does.
I open my mouth, and she narrows her eyes at me.
“No.”
“Fine.”
I shrug again, but I vow to find out where she’s hiding the chip. Arix’s deal included delivering both the female and the chip, and I’m not going to risk my potential mate because of this female’s stubbornness.
Chapter Three
Sarissa
I sigh as I stare up at the mishua. The trip across the Colossal Water only took a few hours. Now the hard part begins.
I hate riding mishua.
First of all, the beasts only allow males to ride them. Or at least, steer them. I could sit on a mishua’s back and encourage it to move for hours, and it wouldn’t go anywhere until the moment a Braxian male tied it to his own mishua.
