“Yes, but she won’t be harmed. She’ll be freed. Soon. When she killed Celeste, she somehow absorbed the combatant’s ability to enchant the people around her.”
Really? “Do all combatants absorb the abilities of their victims?”
“No. She’s the only one. Everyone else is granted access to the defeated soldier’s weapon, no more, no less.”
So why was Vale different? And how could Nola help her? “Who ambushed our safe house?”
“Erik and his men,” Zion said. “They are following you and are currently stationed outside this house. Or they were. I dispatched them.”
And she hadn’t had a clue!
“Erik has realized you are special to the Adwaewethian,” he added. “He plans to use you against Bane. And me, since I’ve expressed interest in your care. At the next Assembly of Combatants, I must convince him—and everyone else—that you are dead. Your sister included. Her reaction to the news must be genuine.”
“No way.” She shook her head. “I won’t hurt her, even to save myself a bit of trouble.”
“A bit?” he asked, brow lifted. “How do you suggest we proceed, then?”
She thought for a moment, an idea crystallizing. “Do you have the cell phone I gave you?”
“I do. I plugged in your address, just as you taught me, and found shockingly detailed photos of your house, allowing me to portal here.”
“Let’s give the cell to Vale. I’ll send a text message to it, telling her not to believe anything you say. That way, she’ll reason out the truth after her initial reaction to your death bomb.”
Before he agreed, she started typing a message, the number already programmed into her address book. Sorry our convo got cut short. Do whatever you must to survive, & don’t worry about me, ok? I’m good as pie & gonna stay that way. Lady Carrie’s girls forever! Oh, & don’t believe Z. I repeat. Do NOT.”
Lady Carrie’s, the name of the gourmet donut shop they would—or would not—be opening. Proof of her identity.
Send.
Deciding to use her “fragility” to her advantage—a girl had to use the weapons in her arsenal, right?—Nola batted her lashes at Zion, saying, “Please do this for me. You’re so big and strong, and I’ll owe you one.”
He pursed his lips but nodded. “I will do this, and yes, you will owe me. As payment, you will help me recruit Bane to stop Erik. The viking preserved the base camps he knew about, and planted bombs and other traps. When we escaped the ice prison, he watched as we portaled away. He and his people had placed cameras throughout the mountains. That’s how he found my dimension.”
Unease prickled the back of her neck, her stomach performing a series of flips. “He could be watching and listening right now.”
“I have visited your house every few hours since our separation and already searched the rooms,” he said. “There’s no evidence of tampering.”
Okay. All right.
“Now,” he said, his tone hardening. He drew in a deep breath, held it, then exhaled slowly. “I’ve been tolerant of your secrets. Lenient, even. But I must take measures to protect myself, and my realm. I’m sorry, Nola, but men who trust others are the first to die.”
Foreboding joined the unease, sweeping through her. “What are you getting at?”
He unsheathed one of his daggers. “I need the truth about your connection to Bane, and there’s only one way to get it. I’m sorry,” he repeated, “but this will hurt.”
* * *
MUST GET TO NOLA.
Nearing frantic desperation, Bane secured his goggles around his neck, strapped Valor’s sword to his back and anchored a piece of Union’s belt around each of his biceps. The beast had sheared the link in half, turning one weapon into two. To his shock, both worked! Strength hummed inside his bones and flowed into his muscles. More strength than he’d ever wielded.
Must get to Nola. Must protect her.
Must not hurt her.
The beast protested, only to go quiet, as if uncertain about the best way to proceed. That was a first.
The lair had been destroyed. The sunny island had been the last place anyone should have thought to look for him. So how had Union learned his location?
All Bane knew for sure? If one combatant had found him, others would, too. And soon. But he had nowhere else to go. Where was Nola? How terribly had he harmed her? How much did she hate him?
When Bane had transformed, something shocking had happened. He’d remained aware as the beast overtook him. Another first. Maybe because he’d fought harder than ever before, determined to save his princess.
He’d learned the shoulder wound bothered the beast, too, a vulnerability they could ill afford.
A more shocking development? Nola’s unwavering bravery.
She’d faced the beast, unflinching. And, though she’d been racked by pain, she’d issued no orders. Instead, she’d petted the fiend’s snout and offered friendship.
The beast—now named Drogo, apparently—hadn’t made up his mind about her. He was confused, and annoyed about it.
Bane had severely underestimated this precious female, with her kind heart and plucky determination. Her quiet strength blew his mind. She had something he envied: an ability to remain calm while the world crumbled around her—or when a dragon contemplated the many ways to end her life.
Scowling, Bane paced underneath the tarp, thoughts of Nola tolling on. If Drogo hadn’t decided to let her go, she would have died. She would have died badly, and Bane would have been unable to save her.
Can’t lose her. Not her.
He stutter-stepped. I care about the woman who controls my future? He...might.
Damn it! From now on, he had to remain on emotional guard.
Since the transformation had torn his clothes to shreds, Bane stalked to the trunk and liberated a pair of leathers and combat boots. As soon as he’d tucked his shaft behind his fly, he reached out to Nola.
Where are you, dove? Dove? The endearment left him without permission, and yet it fit her: small, delicate and graceful. The beast is caged. You have nothing to fear from me, I swear it.
An extended pause. Then—I’m home.—
Her breathy voice filled his head, igniting powerful, seething lust. He told himself, Must remain on guard.
Then, he pushed his voice into her head once again, saying, I won’t harm you again, you have my word. Tell me to come to you. Please. Would she do it? Let me teach you how to fight, how to lead your soldiers and how to help me defeat Aveline. You can yell at me for what Drogo did. Then, Bane would talk her from her pique. Or kiss her from it.
No! No more kissing Nola. No more touching her, either.
Again, her voice drifted through his mind.—Zion is here. He’s doing something to me. Something I don’t like, though I don’t know what it is.—
A growl rumbled in Bane’s chest. Zion was doing something to Nola, so Zion would pay. Let me see through your eyes. Let me see what he’s doing to you.
—How?—
The explanation rushed from him, a sense of urgency all but setting his feet on fire. To communicate telepathically, a queen and her warrior must be linked. You have the ability to deepen our connection.
When he felt a pinprick inside his brain, he said, Yes, dove. Just like that.
Suddenly, the world around him blackened. He blinked, another world appearing. He saw a small bedroom, with lots of pink and lace, and worn furniture unworthy of a queen.
This was working! Satisfaction punched him.
Look at Zion, he commanded.
She obeyed, craning her head to the side. Zion sat on the bed, too close for Bane’s liking. The male had a bloody diamond pinched between his fingers—a diamond he’d ripped from his torso, judging by the bleeding hole left behind. He pressed the gemstone against Nola’s forehead, and Bane knew. The com
batant hoped to capture her thoughts with energy manipulation.
With a snarl, Bane grazed his thumb over the Rifters to open a portal. Having seen the room, he could now travel there anytime he wished.
At the other end of the tarp, two layers of air peeled back, revealing a live glimpse at the bedroom. The scent of honeysuckle and jasmine wafted to his nostrils, tainted by the metallic tang of blood.
Fury exploded through him, his muscles tensing. Ready to do murder, Bane marched forward...
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Does he want more, or are you fooling yourself?
ONE SECOND NOLA conversed with Bane, the next she heard a wealth of noises. Shattering glass. Pained grunts. A whistle of metal, a heavy thud and a loud crash. Animalistic rage electrified the air. What had—
Realization: Zion had stopped whatever he’d been doing to her mind, and now engaged in combat. With Bane, who’d gone quiet?
Oh, yes. Definitely with Bane. His scent cocooned and calmed her. He’d rushed to her defense, her safety a priority to him, just as he’d claimed, and she lo—liked him for it.
Such a fool. He hadn’t saved Nola; he’d saved the Terran royal who would deliver his vengeance. Would he ever want her more than vengeance?
By the time the world came back into focus, her aches and pains had faded. Bane, my sickness and cure. Her bedroom lay in shambles, furniture overturned, hunks of plaster and glass scattered everywhere. Blood stained the tattered comforter.
Window curtains were wadded on the floor, streams of sunlight infiltrating the room. Wow. The night had passed. Zion occupied the light, while Bane remained in the shadows. They were inches apart, panting and bloodier than the blanket, in the midst of an epic staredown.
Pulling her gaze from Bane proved impossible, the sight of him soul-searing. And concerning. The perma-gash in his shoulder had worsened, spreading over his collarbone. If he and Zion fought again...
Who was she kidding? They would fight again, guaranteed. Bane projected fiery rage, his intensity making her heart flutter, while Zion displayed icy determination. Soon, they would erupt. This time, they wouldn’t stop until someone ended up dead.
“Enough,” she called, vaulting to her feet. Miracle of miracles, her legs held steady, the puncture wounds healed. Not even scabs remained. Zion’s doing, or her own? Always before, her cuts and bruises had undergone repair at a normal rate.
Am I becoming immortal, my body preparing for the Blood Rite? How am I supposed to feel about that?
Figure it out later.
Nerves jacked, heart galloping a mile a minute, Nola moved between the warriors, arms outstretched to push the two rabid predators apart.
“Enough,” she repeated, glancing from one male to the other. “Back off. And don’t even think about arguing with me.” Every time she refocused on Bane, another layer of his fiery exterior burned away. Soon, only raw sensuality would remain.
Her thoughts momentarily blanked. What else had she meant to say? Oh, yeah. “You owe me, both of you. Bane, remember when you insulted me, tearing my self-esteem to shreds and injured my leg? Zion, remember when you tried to invade my mind?”
Bane winced ever so slightly, and Zion raised his chin, unrepentant.
“She’s mine, and I never share.” With a speed too fast for the human eyes to track, Bane clasped her wrist, yanked and spun her behind him, putting her chest against his back. He snagged a strong, muscular arm around her, holding her in place.
Those astonishing words...that unshakable assertion...warm shivers trekked down her spine. What a difference in him! His heart had already begun to heal. This was...this... I might have this thing in the bag.
Zion lifted his hands, palms up, and stepped back, his frosty fury reduced to a slight irritation. “I’m not sorry I took measures to ensure my safety, Nola. But I am sorry I betrayed your trust to do it.”
“Apology not accepted,” she told him, detaching from Bane and moving to his side. “What secrets did you unearth from my mind?” Had Zion learned about her alien heritage, or her connection to the Adwaewethian?
“None. You have some kind of block,” Zion said.
Truly? Neat! Bane had once said the same.
When she met his gaze, she got snared. Couldn’t look away, the rest of the world forgotten. Sizzling awareness crackled between them. Her belly quivered, the clawing need she’d lived with since finding him in the cave demanding its due.
“Princess?” Bane asked, his voice strained and huskier than usual. Did he feel it, too?
Focus. Deep breath in, out. Crap! His scent had intensified and now infused her cells. She could feel him inside her.
“My offer stands,” Zion told Bane. “Let’s work together to slay Erik and his acolytes.”
Bane looked between her and Zion, his eyes slitting. “Do you know who always loses the All War? Combatants foolish enough to trust the competition.”
“Do it anyway,” Nola said, forming a steeple with her hands. “Please.” What would convince someone like Bane? “We can take out more competitors, win more weapons and accomplish what we want to accomplish. If you hadn’t noticed, we’re kind of losing right now.” Wait. What if Zion planned to trick Bane?
No, no, no. Zion had secrets, sure, but at heart, he was a good man.
Bane stared at her, anger mounting. But he said, “I will do it. I will agree to a temporary truce.” He cast his attention to Zion, adding, “But you will do no harm to Nola. You will not try to read her thoughts. You will not touch her. You do, and I’ll end the truce with your heart in my palm.”
Again, he’d staked a claim on her. Again, warm shivers trekked down her spine. Her blood transformed into champagne, her head fogging, pleasure making her giddy.
Zion growled, all I’m so fierce, I only ever do what I want. But like Bane, he snapped, “Very well. We have ourselves a temporary truce.” He slid his gaze to Nola. “I’ll do as promised and pass the cell phone to Vale. I’ll even attempt to recruit her and Knox to our cause—again.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“I have no doubt Knox will try to kill me again.”
“You’ll both be fine, I’m sure of it.” Desperate to see her sister, she said, “I’ll go with you and—”
“You will not,” Bane roared at the same time Zion said, “I cannot convince other combatants you are dead if you are seen alive. You must stay with Bane.”
“Ah. A fake death. Wise.” Bane inclined his head, his version of a nod. “I will hide her before another combatant finds us. Be careful when you portal in. Or not. I will be setting traps.”
Exasperated, she bit out, “Do I get a say about any of this?”
“No,” they replied in unison.
Rather than lather-up about their caveman tactics, she grinned, smug. “Look at you two. Already working together. Am I a good bromance matchmaker, or what?”
Bane rolled his eyes, yet his enlarged pupils suggested her courage had surprised—and delighted—him. She preened.
Zion blew her a kiss, then told Bane, “Show me how good you are at hiding and setting those traps, and I’ll show you how good I am at tracking and avoiding trouble.” The words were half brag, half threat.
“You’re on,” Bane said.
Zion smiled and traced a thumb over his Rifters, a portal opening in her bedroom. Judging by the mountainous background with wisps of cotton floating on a warm breeze, the portal led back to Colorado.
The wind gusted into her room, strong enough to rattle the pieces of shattered glass on her floor.
He walked through and spun to face them. Thoughtful, he peered from Nola to Bane until the portal closed.
Alone with Bane. His wicked scent filled her nose, and his heat seared her skin. His staggering intensity lit her up inside. Would he kiss her? Would she let him?
He prowled closer
to her, the unhurried action languidly sensual. His magnificent eyes gleamed with hunger. “What the beast did to you...” He lifted his chin and squared his shoulders. “I’m sorry, dove.”
Dove. This might be the third time he’d used the endearment, and she wasn’t sure what it was supposed to mean. “You were aware in beast form?”
“I was.” He massaged the back of his neck. “He hates you, but he is also unwillingly intrigued by you. You could have issued a command. He wanted you to. When you didn’t, you surprised and confused him.”
Had she surprised and confused Bane, too? Maybe even...impressed him? She wanted to ask, but didn’t. I prefer warrior women. Okay, so, no need to ask. One small act wouldn’t prove her mettle. Although, there was a chance it would help her sneak past his defenses.
“I might be a princess,” she said, “but I’m not a queen. I’ve never hurt Drogo, or you, and I’m tired of being punished for the crimes of other royals. If you attack me again, I’ll do whatever is necessary to save myself, just as you would do anything to save yourself.”
He continued his advance, prowling closer, forcing her to walk backward...until she smacked into the wall. He flattened his hands next to her temple, caging her in. With his towering height and wide shoulders, he all but engulfed her. She gulped and trembled, but not with fear.
“Why didn’t you do whatever was necessary on the island? Rather than commanding Drogo to stand down, you petted him.”
She plucked at the collar of his shirt, saying, “I didn’t want to override your—his—free will, as other queens have done.”
A moment passed, then another, the silence almost unbearable. His features were shell-shocked again. He quietly asked, “What am I going to do with you, Nola Lee?”
“Trust me?” Fall in love with me? “I’m never giving in to my—to a dark side like the other royals.” She traced her hands up, up and cupped the sides of his exquisite face. A lover’s hold. His beard stubble tickled her skin, flurries of desire dancing through her.
“I won’t change,” he said, his voice gruff. “I’ve been through too much, my will like iron.”
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