by Thia Mackin
Yes! Please! I moaned, bringing my hands to the buckle of his belt. His gripped my ass, pulling my hips up and into him.
Suddenly, he let me slide to the floor. His head turned toward the door, and I saw the handle moving. Obviously, Rankar’d heard a knock right before the person tried to enter. “Shit,” he murmured, resting his forehead against mine. “That’s Belisario, my fourth-in-command.”
I groaned softly but began tucking my shirt back in. He followed suit, straightening his own clothes. “Hang around for a bit? I’ll come find you.”
With a grin, I couldn’t help teasing, “Maybe we can end up somewhere you won’t be interrupted?”
His answering smile left no doubts. Then he opened the door, and I stood to the side as his Tuveri fourth-in-command entered. Ducking my head, I slipped out before Hypnos decided to make another appearance. However, the burning on my neck warned that both men stared after me.
Wandering, I ended up at a corral full of yearlings. The young horses moved like a wave of energy. A few ran from one end to the other, stopping to jump and kick at indeterminate intervals. A couple appeared to be leisurely battling for dominance in the herd, rearing and screaming at one another. Over all, about thirty of them milled about in every color Arabian-Deylura crosses generated.
Three noticed my presence and moved toward me, slowly assessing. My open palms warned that I had no treats to reward their attention, and one immediately lost interest. The black colt threw his tail up and pranced a few feet in front of me. “Just because I don’t have food doesn’t mean I won’t pet you,” I wheedled, grinning at his spirited antics.
The blue roan, apparently jealous, reared and neighed before charging toward the fence. The black horse ceded his position to his lighter counterpart, who paused in his gallop a couple feet from where I stood on the bottom rung of the fence and stepped forward gingerly. I reached out, running my hands over his muzzle. Soft as silk, the hair on his nose was just a little darker than the rest of his head.
“I’m surprised this boyo didn’t bite you,” a familiar voice observed behind me.
The colt let me pet his neck, stretching his nose toward Master Cavallo to see if perhaps this other demon had brought the treat I’d neglected. When none was offered, the friendly horse moved away as a number of the others noticed the Master Handler and began trotting toward us. “You’re quite popular,” I returned, stepping back slightly as the horses crowded the fence.
He grinned, teeth straight and white against his dark complexion. “Aye, ’til gelding season.”
I smiled, not envying him that task. “How many will you keep on?”
“Not many, if any. A few of the guards have requested the chance to form a bond; if they don’t find one this year, they can try next season. Guards get a discount. If one catches our eye before gelding, we might slip him onto a watch list for breeding stock and delay castration. Usually, the remaining geldings go to sale.”
My nod caused him to glance my way, but I didn’t say anything, just watched the horses playing. After a few more minutes passed, he cleared his throat. My jaw tensed, waiting for him to ask about my relationship with Rankar.
“What do you think of them?”
Unclenching my teeth, I studied the herd. “Good lines from a distance. Healthy energy levels. A few seem to have the spirit that will make good warhorses, assuming they bond the guards. You might have to separate out that small colt in the next week or two. Not only has he been rejected by most of the herd, a couple are bullying him and might cause an injury.”
His expression didn’t reveal whether he agreed or disagreed with my assessment. “Have much experience with Arabian-Deylura crosses?”
For a moment, I felt Romtal nuzzle my hand. Then I realized the blue roan had returned for attention. “My la—” I cleared my throat—“last mount was one, and I did most of his care for the eight years we were together. A lot of my work is off-Terra, and almost everyone has Deylura crosses. Also, between contracts, I sometimes pick up hours at an off-Terran hostel that deals nearly exclusively with them. So advanced maintenance, basic first aid, and general breed knowledge.” The roan seemed to like his neck stroked and his shoulder scratched better than attention to his nose, so I obliged.
For some reason, pride filled me at the Master Handler’s nod of acceptance. “You’re working with the horses at the Sirach ranch, then?”
“When Mycal and the boys are away, I try to help,” I admitted, picking my words carefully. The tasks kept me from going insane, but I didn’t want to get the guards or Sirach’s in trouble.
“That’s kind of you, lass. So you’ve known Rankar long?” he asked as he petted the forehead of a pretty red.
“Not so long as you,” I hedged. “His family helped me out of a tough spot a few months ago, and Karyn hasn’t cleared me yet. So I’m working to repay the favor in ways that won’t incur her wrath for overdoing it.”
Hypnos landed on the railing beside my arm. I reached out to stroke his chin, and the colt snapped his teeth at the drakyn, who launched into the air and disappeared. Quickly, I grabbed the halter with the opposite hand and tapped him lightly on the nose. “No.” Then I released him and waited to see how he’d react to the correction.
Hypnos landed on my shoulder, and the colt lifted his lips. “No,” I warned, meeting his gaze firmly until he looked away. With a huff, he moved away to take his frustrations out with a run.
When I looked to the side to check the drakyn, Master Cavallo’s lips twitched. Is he laughing at me? At the colt? Unsure, I crossed my arms and set them on the top rung of the corral to appear more relaxed.
“Good to see you again, Rankar,” my companion greeted, his amusement warming his voice.
“You, too, Rendle?” Rankar returned, obviously confused by his companion’s reaction. Goddess knew, I couldn’t shine any light on it, either. “Do you mind if I steal Kinan away?”
The Master Handler shook his head, waving a hand in dismissal as he watched the blue roan’s antics—presumably to make sure he didn’t hurt one of the other horses. As I stepped down from the corral rung, I nodded to Master Cavallo.
“It was a pleasure to meet you, sir.”
I missed his response as Rankar opened a Gate and waited for me to enter. Near the exit, I saw medium-gray walls and a king size bed through the haze. Then we stepped through, the energy dissipated, and Rankar’s hands found my waist. “Hello again.”
“Mmm,” I agreed as his teeth nibbled on my neck and his hands worked on the button of my pants.
Turning in his arms, I worked my boots and socks off and motioned for him to do the same. Stepping into him, I maneuvered his back to the bed as my hands jerked his shirt over his head. Two more steps forward sent him a couple backward. My pants hit the floor as the back of his legs touched the bed. “Up,” I ordered, causing his lips to quirk.
And after I removed his jeans, I rewarded his obedience. Then we napped.
Chapter 20
“There,” I barked, lying on my back and staring at the stillroom ceiling.
Karyn paused in bending my leg toward my chest before lowering it back. “Good.” She helped me sit up, apparently finished with the dozens of exercises she’d run me through.
“Good?” I repeated back, swinging my leg slightly to work out the hum of discomfort.
Her arms wrapped around me in a hug. “Your injury is healed. Once you work on regaining flexibility and rebuilding muscle, you’ll be one hundred percent!”
Grinning, I hugged her back. “Thank you for everything.”
As she eased away, she patted my shoulder. “What are you planning to do now that you have your healer’s all clear?”
For a moment, I hesitated. Rankar and I hadn’t even discussed options yet, though—in my mind—only one course of action benefited both us. “First, speak to Elie. I want an option that lets me sleep beside Rankar every night.”
A second hug caught me off guard, but I wrapped my arms arou
nd her and held on for a few seconds. Then she moved to her cabinets to finish sorting out the lotions and liniments she wanted me to continue using until the limp disappeared. Sliding from the table, I pulled my boots on and straightened my clothing.
A deep breath later, I moved to Karyn’s side. “I owe you, and I want to pay that debt.”
She held a bottle in each hand, weighing them. “Did you have a preference between the orange blossom or the lavender scents?”
Startled, I thought back on the night I’d used the nwazeh lotion. “Orange blossoms.” I shook my head. “Seriously, Ryn, what do you want for payment? You’ve healed, fed, and housed me for two months.”
“Excellent. The heat and cold effects definitely will help after a long day of working,” she deterred, packing the bottles in a small bag. “Do you need more of the woody musk body wash? I can get a batch started tonight and have it finished in two, three days, tops.”
Inhaling deeply, I accepted the satchel. Frustration and helplessness filled me. In all the years on my own, I could count on one hand the number of people who’d stepped in to help me with zero benefit to themselves. “Karyn, I know you don’t need money, but Sara Nichols could make a donation to your husband’s campaign.” The money in my alternative persona’s bank account accrued enough interest that I could contribute a respectable amount.
The last of the bottles were back in their spots in the cabinet. “I can make you some dried soup and stew packets, too; all you have to do is add hot water and wait until everything is tender before eating. That way you don’t have to live off your own cooking if you’re on the move.”
Something caught in my throat, and I cleared it. “How much is my life worth, Karyn?”
Finally, she faced me and met my eyes. Her gentle smile reminded me of Elie’s. “Kinan, dear, you’re not going to win this. I won’t accept payment, and you don’t owe anything to me. Go on and put the thought of it out of your head.”
Torn between demanding an answer and crying in frustration, I exhaled and hugged her. Without hesitation, she returned it—as if she didn’t know my brain was still trying to determine an answer.
“Go visit Eliecha and Triswon. I’m sure your last venture there only made them wish to see you more. Tell them I say hello, and make sure you stop in for lunch to let me know how it goes.”
I stepped back as her arms loosened, clutching the package to my chest before attaching it to my belt on the opposite side as my sword. “I will.”
Immediately, she pulled out a mortar and pestle and a jar of herbs. A quick check revealed my weapons were present. Since I’d be on foot, I decided to Gate into an alley a little closer than I’d normally choose due to the seedy nature of the neighborhood. Glock in hand, I switched off the safety and reinforced my shields. Then I stepped out of the stillroom and onto Elysii.
The smell in this area made me wish I were anywhere else. However, a brisk walk took me into the street where a breeze minimized the unpleasantness. Two more fast blocks in the predawn light took me into the courtyard for the Banded Traveler, where only two guards and one guest were visible in the early hour.
My hand hadn’t even touched the door when it flew open. “Snowflake!” Triswon greeted in a yell, pausing directly after to cover his yawn. Then his huge arms enfolded me in a bear-hug. “Our Elie says you are almost good as new and ready to keep these half-trained stable hands on their toes!”
I relaxed, squeezing back hard enough that he oomphed. “If she says so, it must be true.”
Lifting me off the ground, he stepped backwards into the empty tavern. No staff or guests graced the room yet, too early for anyone except the cooking staff to be up and about. “I’m sorry I woke you. The time difference escaped me.”
Triswon grinned, setting me on my feet to shut and relock the door. “I forgive you.” As I opened my mouth to offer to wait for Eliecha to wake up, he finished the thought. “She is having the chef make cinnamon rolls special for you, and to make sure you get enough, she told him to make two dozen.”
I laughed, sitting as he waved me to a bench. “So it’s worth it?”
The amount of teeth he showed might have scared someone with a weaker constitution. “You can visit every morning two hours before I normally wake up if we get sweets.”
Eliecha walked in and sighed happily, hugging me from behind. “Welcome, Snowflake. I’ve missed seeing you at these tables.”
Turning, I wrapped my arm around her as she settled beside me. My head rested on her shoulder as I bent over. “I’ve missed both of you. Though Triswon says I’ll be seeing quite a bit of you as I start the job I hadn’t even asked for yet.”
Her mischievous grin reminded me of her husband. “Rezqwa enjoys having you in the stables. He says your grumpiness when the others lollygag motivates them to work harder and keep you happier so you don’t kill them. Triswon loves the extra sweets, and I adore getting to see you whenever I want. Also, you are rarely in danger of being shot or stabbed when you stay in the stables.”
A bright-eyed kitchen helper delivered a dozen steaming breakfast treats to the table, along with three cups of coffee. Eliecha placed a saucer in front of each of us and nodded to Triswon. Carefully, he used the serving knife to give each of us two. “Thank you,” I murmured, using my fingers to lift it to my mouth. A hum of happiness escaped as the sugary cinnamon concoction hit my taste buds.
“So your man is the son of Mycal and Karyn Sirach?” Triswon questioned around a large bite.
“Rankar,” I confirmed.
“He better not be like that hell-raising father of his,” Triswon grumbled, still chewing. “Do I need to speak with him?”
Eliecha choked on her breakfast, and I helpfully patted her on the back until she could speak. “Triswon Bhinj, Mycal Sirach mostly raised hell with you. And I vaguely recall that you continued your wild ways for a couple years after your friend settled down with Karyn, and the only thing that finally convinced you to calm down and stop touring the Planes was …”
“A beautiful, Gifted, lovely woman who owned my heart the first moment I saw her,” he finished, setting down his roll and lifting her hand to his lips to kiss her knuckles.
I grinned, enjoying their saccharine-sweet antics twice as much now that I’d seen Mycal and Karyn together and experienced a few such moments with Rankar. “Plus, their kids have all had longer than I’ve been alive to sow their wild oats. So let’s just assume that Rankar subscribes to your and Mycal’s magazines on love and call it a month,” I urged.
“Deal,” Elie agreed for him, placing another warm roll on his plate as a peace offering.
As I finished my second roll, I slid my empty dish beneath Elie’s. “Do you have a room where I can stash my things? I’ll probably sleep mostly on Terra, but just in case he’s not home, I’d like to have a secondary option—even a cot.”
Her hand patted mine as her other arm drew me close. “Snowflake, you’ll always have a place here. However, you need to talk to your Rankar before you make decisions. Relationships require communication. Although the choice is ultimately yours, mistakes won’t be made unintentionally if you talk.”
My eyes narrowed playfully. “I feel like you two have been conspiring. As much as I dislike discussing things, he believes it is necessary.”
Triswon intentionally bit off a mouthful of roll and mumbled something.
Eliecha grinned. “What’s that, dear?”
“He-may-already-be-smarter-than-we-were-at-his-age,” he repeated, not much clearer. However, his wife seemed satisfied.
“Oh, love, have no doubt. Luckily for us, this last century has made you quite wise.” Her fingers reached across the table to entwine with his. “Snowflake, why don’t you run along to Asez? My staff packed you and Rankar a lunch, and it seems that he’ll be taking his break momentarily. We’ll see you Wednesday for the six a.m. shift.”
Mentally, I calculated the time difference. Thank the Goddess, my shift would be ten a.m. Terran time,
not six a.m. The time difference gave me four more hours sleep. Rezqwa would fire me if I ran off customers, even if Eliecha and Triswon loved me. “Thank you both.” I stood and walked around the table, hugging each of them. “I’ll see you all in a couple days.”
The young kitchen helper brought me a bag with handles, though the thought of food turned my stomach a little after the two pastries. “Gate from here, Snowflake. No one’s awake yet.”
Uncertain where to enter Asez Holding without startling an unEnlightened guest or bringing the guard down on my head, I decided the area where Chevelle had taken us was the best bet. Two guards greeted me. “Name and business?” one asked, not unfriendly.
“Sarki Kinan, a friend of the Sirach family. Here to see Captain Rankar Sirach,” I added as the other reached for the bag to inspect the contents.
She looked inside, smiled, and handed it back. “Nice to meet you. We’ll walk you to his office.”
They adjusted their pace to mine, though the limp barely slowed me now. We reached the door quickly, and she knocked twice before opening it to let me inside. As I moved past her, she whispered, “Have him show you the employee entrance.” Then I entered to find Rankar sitting behind his desk and Master Cavallo on his couch.
“Kinan!” Rankar grinned, standing.
“I don’t want to interrupt.” I hesitated, torn between leaving and staying.
“This isn’t an official meeting. Please join us.”
At his gesture, I moved to the chair and set the bag on the corner of the desk. “Eliecha sent lunch. If you haven’t eaten, Master Cavallo, please take the second portion. She plied me with treats and then sent me with enough to feed a small army.”
Removing the containers, I placed them on the edge that Rankar cleaned off. With a thank you, both men filled plates. “Where are Hypnos and Thanatos?” I asked, checking the room to see if they were sleeping.
“Hunting.” Rankar paused to glance around himself. “Hypnos is going to be so upset he missed you.”
