That brought her gaze back to his. “What were you about to say?”
“It is not important. Suffice it to say, I will never harm you again. You have my word.”
Mary simply nodded, studying him with an intensity that unnerved him.
Rykaur couldn’t believe he’d almost told her about Kaura. He hadn’t spoken Kaura’s name since she’d broken his heart nearly ten years ago.
At twenty years old, Rykaur had decided that Kaura was the mate for him. She’d flirted with him and led him to believe she felt the same way. Until he’d walked into the food pantry one night to find her in the arms of another male.
Kaura had informed Rykaur that she loved the other Bracadyte and would mate with him at the first full moon.
Though Bracadyte women were known for their honesty and avoided games at all costs, Kaura hadn’t given Rykaur that same courtesy. She’d pretended to care for him until someone with more to offer came along.
Rykaur had spent the next nine years in the training room, building his strength and honing his skills. Other than the nightly visits to the widows of Aukrabah, he kept to himself and found no interest in pursuing a mate.
So, why was this scrap of a land walker with her fiery red hair and pale gray eyes, getting under his skin? He didn’t know, but it ended now.
Rykaur called out to Zaureth.
“We are at the table,” Zaureth answered without delay. “Come. Join us.”
Rykaur took the steps down into the catacombs and strode around the corner to find Zaureth and Amy seated at the table having dinner. “I did not mean to interrupt your meal, Zaureth. We will come back at a later time.”
“Nonsense,” Amy softly argued, smiling in Rykaur’s direction. “You are always welcome at our table.”
Amy abruptly tilted her head. “Who do you have with you?”
Rykaur cleared his throat. “This is Mary. She has an injury on her face. I had hoped that Zaureth would take a look at it.”
Zaureth immediately stood and extended his hand toward Mary. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mary.”
Amy held out her hand as well. “My name’s Amy. I’m Zaureth’s mate.”
“Mate?” Mary questioned, shaking both their hands.
Amy’s lips twitched. “Wife. It’s the Bracadyte term for husband or wife.”
Zaureth stepped in closer to Mary and gently tilted her chin up. “May I?”
Rykaur watched as Mary leaned her head back to give the healer better access, her throat as perfect as her face.
A small spark of jealousy seeped inside Rykaur as Zaureth’s palm coasted along her cheek. But he shook it off.
Energy surrounded them, strong enough that Rykaur could feel the hairs on his neck stand on end.
Mary quietly sighed, a low moan slipping past her lips. Her eyes slid shut, and a look of elation settled on her face.
More jealousy swirled through Rykaur. Where he’d caused Mary pain, Zaureth effortlessly removed it, replacing it with pleasure.
The healer suddenly lowered his hand and stepped back. “There are no breaks, only some severe bruising. I hope whomever did this to you got what he deserved.”
For some reason, Mary didn’t mention who’d caused her pain.
Her eyes slowly opened, and a look of wonder remained in their gray depths. “How did you do that?”
Zaureth merely shrugged. “It is better now, no?”
Mary quickly nodded. “Thank you so much, Mr. Zaureth. It doesn’t hurt at all now.”
Amy chuckled. “Come sit down, Mary. Zaureth made the best grouper I’ve ever tasted.”
Mary glanced at Rykaur as if to gauge his reaction to the invitation.
He nodded toward an empty chair. “Go ahead.”
“You too, Rykaur,” Amy demanded, waving a hand at the other vacant chair. “We have plenty.”
Rykaur lowered Mary’s bag to the floor and sat while Amy fixed Mary a plate and then made one for him.
Zaureth’s beautiful mate then shifted her attention back to Mary. Though Rykaur knew Amy to be blind, he doubted Mary would be able to tell. Besides, Amy could see through her mate’s eyes, which Rykaur assumed gave her more confidence.
With a quick thank you to Amy, Rykaur picked up his fork to take a bite, when he noticed Mary bow her head and fold her hands in front of her. It took him a moment to realize she was praying and another to lower his own head.
Rykaur had never prayed to another being before, but something about watching Mary do so pulled at his heartstrings. Whether her God happened to be real or not, the sheer humbleness of the gesture instantly endeared her to him.
And there, with his head lowered in respect, a small flame of admiration fanned to life inside him. Prostitute or not, there was something about the red-haired beauty that spoke of innocence, depth, and strength. And Rykaur found that he liked it.
Chapter Six
Mary couldn’t believe that Zaureth had healed her pain with the palms of his hands.
She’d heard that the Bracadytes had gifts, but witnessing them firsthand was a hell of a lot different than hearing about them.
After Zaureth’s wife handed her a plate, Mary automatically bowed her head to say grace, just as she’d taught the kids at home to do since leaving the Clarks.
The table suddenly grew quiet, and Mary realized they were probably watching her. Watching and wondering why a known prostitute, thief, and liar would be praying over her food.
Lifting her head, Mary met the curious emerald gaze of Rykaur.
Though he appeared to be confused, he didn’t mention what had just taken place.
It took enormous effort for Mary to look away from his penetrating stare. She could lose herself in his emerald-green eyes for days.
“How long have you two been married?” Mary asked Amy, hoping to take the attention off herself.
Amy beamed. “We are still newlyweds. We have been mated less than a year.”
Something about Amy’s light blue eyes caught Mary’s attention. Though Zaureth’s wife looked at Mary as she spoke, she seemed to stare straight through her.
Mary peered down at her food, all too aware of the poison-filled vial tucked away in her skirt pocket.
How was she expected to poison everyone in Aukrabah and go on with her life as if nothing had happened?
She couldn’t, Mary decided, glancing up at Rykaur. She would lay the vial on the table and explain the situation to the Bracadytes. They would understand her reasoning, wouldn’t they?
“Any news of Jefferies or Howell?” Amy asked Rykaur before taking a sip of her wine.
Rykaur shook his head. “There has been no sign of him. But the entire area is surrounded. He will not get past the military presence. Aukrabah is safe.”
Relief flickered in Amy’s eyes. “Thank goodness. My nephew is barely four months old, and Naura is due to give birth any day.”
Mary’s stomach dropped. “There are babies down here?”
“We have several babies in Aukrabah,” Amy answered. “Our newest expected arrival will be another of the king’s grandsons.”
Unable to bear the thought of what she had to do, Mary jumped to her feet. “I need to use the restroom.”
Amy moved to stand as well.
“I will take her,” Rykaur rumbled, leaving his chair.
Mary held up her hand. “I don’t need anyone to take me. If you will just point me in the right direction, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
Rykaur’s expression hardened. “I go with you, or you do not go.”
“Fine,” Mary seethed, waving her hand for Rykaur to precede her.
He spun around without a word and led Mary into a massive bedroom.
Her eyes grew huge in her face. “Wow. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a bedroom this size before.”
“The toilet is over there.” Rykaur nodded toward an alcove on the other side of the room.
Mary blushed and marched past him. “You could use a lesson in tactfulness.�
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He didn’t respond. Not that she expected him to.
The bathroom was incredible. Mary stood there for several heartbeats, taking in its harsh beauty.
Carved into the wall at the right were stone shelves that housed thick, fluffy white towels. A beautiful black fur rug covered most of the floor.
A stone sink sat to the left of what could only be described as a toilet. The sounds of water splashing around in its depths echoed throughout the room, reminding Mary that she actually stood several hundred feet beneath the gulf’s floor.
An intense feeling of claustrophobia threatened, but she fought it back, breathing in precious gulps of air.
Mary’s gaze darted toward the door, only to remember there was no door. You’re okay, she mentally admonished herself. Besides, the Bracadytes have lived inside the walls of Aukrabah for hundreds of years. Surely the massive underground volcano will hold up a while longer. At least she hoped it would.
“Is everything okay in there?”
Mary started at the sound of Rykaur’s voice. She’d been so engrossed in her fear of enclosed spaces, she’d forgotten what she went in there to do.
“I’ll be out in a minute.”
Taking care of her needs, Mary washed her hands, shook off her fears, marched from the bathroom, and nearly ran into Rykaur.
She threw her arms up to steady herself, her hands flattening against his chest. “Jesus, you scared me.”
His eyes became hooded. “Is everything all right? You look a bit pale.”
The heat from his skin burned through her palms, sending tingling sensations traveling up her arms.
She quickly pulled them back. “I’m fine, just a little taken aback by the water swirling in the toilet. Nothing to be concerned about.”
“Now that your face has been healed, I will return you to the surface as soon as you have finished your meal.”
Mary’s heart skipped a beat. She couldn’t return before she’d accomplished what she’d been sent there to do. Jefferies would kill the children.
There are also children in Aukrabah, her mind whispered in agony. She swayed on her feet.
“You are not all right,” Rykaur demanded, sweeping her up into his arms.
Mary could only hold on as he strode from the bedroom and back into the dining area where Zaureth and Amy still sat.
Zaureth immediately stood. “Is something amiss?”
Rykaur stopped in front of the giant healer. “She is not well.”
Mary opened her mouth to protest, when a thought occurred to her. What if she could somehow enlist the Bracadytes’ help in saving the kids from Jefferies? She would need to think it through. One wrong move on her part, and Doug wouldn’t hesitate to kill the children. Of that, she had no doubt.
She laid her head on Rykaur’s shoulder, hoping against hope that he wouldn’t immediately return her to the surface.
Zaureth placed his hand on her head and closed his eyes. A soft vibration passed through her body, tingling and warm.
The healer’s lids slowly opened. He stared back at Mary without speaking, a mix of confusion and compassion swimming in the depths of his eyes.
Fear suddenly consumed Mary. It was as if the healer could see into her very soul.
“Perhaps she should go lie down for a while,” Zaureth suggested. “Once she has rested and eaten more than a few bites, it should be safe to return her home.”
Rykaur nodded, snatched up Mary’s bag, and turned toward the exit with Mary still in his arms.
She glanced back at the healer as Rykaur took the steps that led to the hall. Though Zaureth didn’t speak, a world of knowledge resonated from his pale green eyes.
He knows something, Mary silently admitted, breaking eye contact. She was sure of it. Only, she had no idea what that something might be.
Chapter Seven
Rykaur had noticed the silent exchange between Mary and Zaureth. Bracadytes were nothing if not perceptive. Emotions were as easy to read as breathing.
“I really wish you’d put me down. I swear to you, I’m able to walk.”
He only held her more firmly against him.
“Where are you taking me?”
“To my apartment, where you can rest. I will return you home after tomorrow’s meeting.”
“What sort of meeting?”
Rykaur spoke without looking at her. “You ask a lot of questions.”
“I’m sorry. It’s an old habit.”
Blowing out a breath, Rykaur glanced down at her upturned face. “King Klause has called a meeting to discuss strategies with the leaders of our warriors.”
Mary’s eyes slightly widened. “You’re a leader?”
“In a manner of speaking. How old are you?” Rykaur wasn’t sure where the question had come from, but it was too late to retract it.
“I’m twenty.”
He let that soak in. “Why do you sell your body to males for coin?” Another question he hadn’t meant to ask. But the thought of her lying with the human males angered him.
Mary turned her face away, but not before Rykaur noticed the red, splotchy color that rose in her cheeks. Whether from anger or embarrassment, he wasn’t sure.
Suddenly angry with himself for caring, Rykaur stopped and set her on her feet in front of his apartment. “It is not my business what you do with your body.”
Without waiting to see if she followed, Rykaur shifted the bag to his other shoulder and entered his room.
Mary followed behind him, looking nervous and more than a little pale once again.
“I gave you my word that I would not harm you,” Rykaur announced after dropping her bag on the stone table and taking a step toward her with his hand extended.
Mary flinched.
“You fear me.” The evidence of that fear radiated from her in waves. Rykaur’s insides tightened in regret.
Something flickered in her eyes. “No. I mean, maybe a little. You could crush me like a bug if you took a notion.”
Rykaur let his hand fall away. “Fair enough. I do not blame you for your fear. I did strike you, and that is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life.”
Mary gave him her back.
“I will go meet with Klause while you get some rest. No one will disturb you while you are in my apartment. Do not leave for any reason. If you are found wandering the halls, you could be mistaken for an unfriendly.”
Giving her a wide berth, Rykaur strode toward the door. He stopped after stepping into the hall and turned back to face her. “I will close this curtain. No one would dare enter without permission if it is not open.”
Rykaur yanked the curtain closed and strode off down the hall with determined steps. Once the meeting was over, he intended to return to Mary and…and what? What did he honestly expect from her? She was a prostitute. And not simply a prostitute, but a thief as well.
Of course, she wouldn’t make it out of Aukrabah without him. He had nothing to worry about.
The meeting was already in progress as Rykaur marched into the great hall.
All eyes turned toward him, including the king’s.
“You are late,” Klause growled in disapproval. “Take a seat, and Gryke will catch you up on what has been discussed thus far.”
Gryke stood against the wall, a dark look in his eyes. He met Rykaur’s gaze. “Word has reached us that Jefferies may have returned to the area.”
Rykaur remained standing as well, forgoing the king’s order to sit. “Are we certain of this?”
“Not a hundred percent,” Melvin interjected from his position at the table, “but we have satellite images of someone resembling him near a bank in downtown Destin. Granted, the image is a week old. But if it is him, he’s here for a reason and not likely to leave until he’s done what he set out to do.”
Narrowing his eyes, Rykaur pinned Melvin with a serious stare. “We should take an army of warriors and scout the entire area. Go from house to house until he is found.”
Rykaur’s mind automatically went to Mary. She’d told him that she lived near the entrance to Aukrabah. Every minute she spent on the streets put her in Jefferies’s path. He would keep her in Aukrabah, he decided, holding Melvin’s stare. At least until the threat of Jefferies was eliminated.
“I have not forgotten,” Rykaur softly responded. “I will gather a few of our best warriors to assist in guarding the entrance. What else do you suggest we do to assist in apprehending Doug Jefferies?”
Tony stepped forward. “I think it would be wise if we kept things as they are for now. If we send more warriors to the surface, Jefferies will know we’re on to him. We need to keep him thinking he has the upper hand.”
“I agree with Anthony,” Braum piped in. “Perhaps we can enlist a few decoys of our own. A handful of land walkers that he would not suspect.”
Melvin raised an eyebrow. “That’s actually not a bad idea. I can gather a few of my men to—”
“No,” Braum interrupted. “He would be suspicious of human males suddenly appearing in an area that he no doubt has control of. I think we should use females.”
Leaning back in his seat, Melvin nodded for Braum to continue. “I’m listening.”
Braum rested his hands on his hips. “There is a female prostitute that sells her body to human males for coin. Jefferies would have seen her around. She—”
“Find someone else!” Rykaur snapped, taking a threatening step toward Braum.
All gazes swung in his direction once again.
Rykaur glanced around the room, more than aware that his forcefully spoken words had drawn unwanted speculation. He cleared his throat. “The female you speak of is Mary. And I refuse to allow her to be put in harm’s way.”
“My apologies,” Braum muttered. “I did not realize that you were familiar with the prostitute.”
Rykaur: A SciFi Alien Romance (Enigma Series Book 8) Page 3
