by Kiersten Fay
“Very well.” Cale turned to leave.
Kyra’s jaw dropped. She was left glaring at the door as it closed. “That’s it?”
Cale responded in a softer tone, “She’s not a child. She’ll be fine.”
“I realize that, but…” Kyra rushed to catch him.
“You’re afraid Rex will turn out to be an asshole like me?”
Whatever she’d been about to say floundered in her throat. “I don’t think you’re an asshole.”
He offered her a dubious look.
“At least, not all the time,” she qualified and found herself smiling. “You’re a sporadic asshole.” At that, she thought she saw his lips curl ever so slightly. “I thought that was actually very sweet, what you just did. You really do care for Zo?”
He was quiet for a long while, and she assumed the conversation was over. Perhaps that was for the best. Her muscles screamed with exhaustion and more arguing would just drain her further.
Then he replied, “Not just Zo.”
Her step halted, and he slowed, giving her a rare venerable expression before he schooled his features.
“I don’t know what happened between us before,” he confessed. “It was like nothing…It was…” He trailed off.
“Incredible,” she finished with a sigh.
His features twisted into a sexy grin, and she realized she’d just given a steroid boost to his ego.
“I just didn’t know what to make of it,” he added. “Still don’t.”
“So, you ran.”
He shrugged.
As apologies go, it wasn’t great, but it was at least an explanation she could understand. A bit of her anger drained away. She hadn’t been paying attention to which direction they walked, but somehow they’d made it to her room. A part of her was tempted to invite him in, but she decided against it.
“Goodnight, then. Thank you for your help with my sisters, and Zo.”
Cale was about to protest, but the evidence of her exhaustion showed. Though she seemed a little less vexed and might not check him if he guided her into the room to take her for the second time tonight.
His gaze dipped to her breasts, and he grew stiff at the prospect. With exaggeration, she cleared her throat, giving him a censured look.
Bollocks.
He leaned toward her anyway, slowly, so she knew exactly what he intended. As if she couldn’t help it, her head tilted for him, and he laid a soft kiss on her lips.
“Sweet dreams, Kyra,” he said, in a tone meant for the bedroom. She shivered, and he couldn’t keep from smirking— especially when her eyes narrowed, as he knew they would.
To his disappointment, she disappeared behind the door. Meanwhile he’d given himself a raging cockstand that needed tending to.
As he headed for his room, a familiar voice stopped him. “You too, Calic?” Jade purred. “I’m beginning to wonder if there’s something more going on with those Faieara that they have all the demons on this ship wrapped around their little fingers.”
“I don’t catch your meaning,” he muttered, for some reason irritated by her presence. Yet something in her words tugged at him. He continued his stride, hoping to leave her behind, but she shadowed him.
“Well, first Sebastian, then Marik, and now both you and Sonya? It just seems strange, don’t you agree?”
“It’s not like that with…Wait, Sonya?”
“Yeah, she’d getting all cozy with Ethan. Just like you with that new girl. Why haven’t you ever kissed me like that, hmm?” She pouted. “It makes a girl feel a little undervalued.”
“Sonya and Ethan?” Cale replied, ignoring the rest of her comment. He hadn’t paid much attention to Sonya these last few days, but surely she wouldn’t…with Ethan?
“Mm-hmm.” Her lips quirked into a mischievous smile, but Cale hardly noticed as he was already headed in the opposite direction.
Kyra awoke to a soft knocking at her door. Her gaze went to Zoey’s bed, which looked as though it hadn’t even been slept in.
Dragging herself from under the warm cocoon of covers, she shuffled to the door. A bright-eyed Sonya stood on the other side with Portia beside her.
“I thought we could all grab some breakfast and get to know each other.” Sonya’s cheerfulness was sickeningly contagious.
Kyra dug a fist into her eye, sweeping away the sleep. “I’m going to need a minute.”
“Of course, we’ll wait.” Sonya sauntered to the couch and flopped down. Portia followed suit.
Slipping into the changing room, Kyra rummaged through the small cache of outfits and found a simple tan dress. Then she searched for something to cover her bare shoulders and came up empty. In the bathroom, she washed her face and teeth and pulled her hair in a messy ponytail to get it out of the way.
As if on cue, her tummy grumbled, and she stepped back into the main room. “Ready.”
“Where’s Zoey?” Sonya asked.
Kyra snorted. “Guess.”
“Ah. Just us then.”
The salon was packed with crew members. Almost instantly, Kyra realized that something was amiss. Most everyone looked irritated or famished. Anya pushed through a set of doors, carrying a tray of food. After delivering the plates to a set of tables, she spotted Kyra and approached with a wave.
“Why is it so busy in here?” Sonya inquired.
“Marik had to step away for a minute. Something about a meeting in the training room.”
“A meeting?” Sonya replied. “Who’s cooking then?”
Anya grimaced. “Myself and Nadua.” A loud crash emanated from the galley, followed by a string of curses. “Oh, I think she burnt herself again.” Anya rushed away, promising to return with something edible.
Sonya’s brow wrinkled in thought, but she said nothing. Long moments later, Anya emerged with a tray of steaming bowls for them. The contents didn’t look quite right. It was then that Kyra realized she would never again taste a Philly Cheesesteak, and her shoulders slumped.
Without taking a bite, Sonya blurted, “What’s the meeting about?” There was an edge to her voice that caught Kyra’s attention.
Anya’s head tilted to one side. “I thought you would have known about it.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because when Bastian and Cale came to get Marik, I heard your name mentioned.”
“My name?”
“Yeah, and Ethan’s. I figured…” Anya trailed off as color leached from Sonya’s face. “What is it?”
“I will kill them.” Sonya bolted out of her seat.
Before trailing her, Portia said, “This should prove to be entertaining.”
Kyra met Anya’s stunned gaze and then raced after the other two. Sonya was long gone, but it was easy to catch Portia. When they reached the training room, Kyra nearly stumbled into Sonya, standing motionless in the door frame. Past her, the demons had Ethan surrounded, looking ready to pounce. Ethan’s heavy breathing alarmed Kyra. All four males had a calculating gleam in their eyes. What was happening here?
Without warning, Cale swung his leg out in graceful high kick. Ethan’s back bowed, dodging the blow. At the same time, Marik rushed forward with a swipe of his fist. Kyra covered her mouth, expecting to see Ethan tumble to the ground, but he dodged again in another smooth maneuver. Sebastian attempted to catch him off guard with a combination of moves, none of which hit their mark, and Cale struck out again. Ethan evaded with swift expertise, and Kyra’s heartbeat eased.
The movements became so fast it was hard to keep up, but each strike missed Ethan.
Watching Cale made something in her gut twist. He was gorgeous in his fighting stance with his shirt bundled in the corner of the room. The muscles on his chest gleamed with a light sheen. Unconsciously, she licked her lips.
As if sensing her, Cale’s gaze darted her way. For a breath, hunger replaced his expression and a thrill spurred through her.
Sonya clenched her fists, her irises darkening to a deep red that was reminisce
nt of Cale on the Edge.
Kyra took a tentative step back, pulling Portia along with her. The males finally noticed them and their gazes fixed on Sonya.
“What do you think you are doing?” Sonya snarled.
“Look at you,” Sebastian muttered. “It’s true, isn’t it?”
Kyra observed that fangs peeked out from the corners of Sonya’s mouth.
“No!” Sonya countered. “It’s none of your business.”
“Of course it’s our business. We look out for you.”
“I resent that! I can take care of myself. And I don’t appreciate you trying to scare away the only guy who’s ever had the guts to sleep with me.”
At that, the room fell silent. Kyra wondered if she should leave. This didn’t seem like something she should be listening to, but she couldn’t make her feet move.
The demons shared a look.
“What?” Sebastian barked.
“You heard me. You scare away any guy who merely looks at me. And don’t tell me it’s not on purpose.”
“Of course it’s on purpose,” Sebastian said matter-of-factly. “But we never thought we actually succeeded.”
“Yeah,” Cale added. “We just figured you were really discreet.”
Sonya rocked back on her feet, and Ethan came up behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. In that moment, something passed silently between him and the other males. Kyra couldn’t fathom what it was, but Sonya bristled.
“You’re approving?” she scoffed. “You think I’m going to claim him?”
“You’re not?” Cale replied, incredulous.
“Why? So I can end up like you?”
He stilled. Then his lips peeled back and his eyes narrowed dangerously. Sebastian placed a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to calm him, but Cale didn’t respond—merely continued to glare at his sister.
In a proud tone, Sebastian said, “You’re lucky to have a male that can take on three demons and walk away without a scratch. He’s one slippery son of a bitch.”
“I don’t want that and neither does he.” Sonya gestured wildly at Kyra. “Why would he, when he’s supposed to marry a princess.”
“What?” The word squeaked out on a breath. She looked to Ethan, feeling dizzy. His lips pressed together.
Sonya noted her shock and explained, “Your father made a deal with him. You’re supposed to be married when this is over.” The demoness didn’t sound disdainful or jealous, just accepting.
Kyra sank to the floor. A heavy tension fell over the room as all eyes turned to her. She glanced up, seeking one pair in particular. He looked…uncaring.
“I have a theory about all this,” Cale declared. The coldness in his tone was like a slash to her heart. “What are the odds that Sebastian and Marik find their mates so conveniently? And now Sonya…with a pirate?”
Sonya opened her mouth to protest, but Sebastian cut her off. “What are you saying?”
“Our kind may be unnaturally attracted to Faieara.”
“I love my mate.” Sebastian growled.
“As do I,” Marik hissed, both giving Cale a look of warning.
“That may be true, but it doesn’t change the facts. Think about it.”
“What about you, Cale?” Sebastian challenged. “You were never attracted to Anya.”
“Not like you were.”
Kyra heard a deep menacing rumble, but her eyes were frozen to the mat.
“Beat the shit out of me later, Bastian. Marik, what about Rex? Rex and Nadua?”
Silence followed the question before Marik replied, “If he was attracted to Nadua, he was wise enough not to tell me about it.”
Kyra’s insides churned violently, like a storm readying to unleash a thunderous devastation. She silently begged Cale not to proceed with this train of thought, because she knew what he would say next.
“I want her like I wanted…” He trailed off. “But it’s not real. It can’t be.”
Her throat burned as she swallowed back tears.
“I’m mated and cannot possibly…I cannot truly be as attracted to her as I seem to be. I cannot want her at all.”
No one said anything.
Kyra felt like shrinking into the floor, so small a crack would swallow her up. Her legs managed to lift her off the ground, and she made it out the door before she even realized it.
Chapter 22
“You should go after her, Cale.” Sonya wanted to smack her brother across the face, but she stayed near Ethan, feeling the undeniable urge to protect him. Not that he needed it. He had been magnificent.
Cale replied robotically, “It would be heartless for me to further any contact between us.”
“Well, you’ve got the heartless part correct,” Ethan retorted. “Do you have any idea how many rugs just got pulled out from under her?”
“Enlighten me, pirate,” Cale sneered.
“Don’t talk to him like that.” Sonya surprised herself by snapping back. She stubbornly ignored Ethan’s astonishment, amending, “Only I can do that.”
Cale laughed without humor. “Don’t you see? It’s happening to you too. You of all people…with a pirate?”
Ethan turned quizzical. “Explain that.”
“Cale,” Sonya warned. It was her decision whether to tell Ethan of her past or not. And now was not the time. She tried to convey this with a look, but Cale wasn’t taking the hint. He was in full destructive mode.
“Our father was murdered by—”
“Stop it!” she screamed.
“She was there when—”
Just as she was ready to reach for one of the training swords, Sebastian snaked a fist around the back of Cale’s neck and forced him from room. Cale put up no resistance.
Marik lingered a moment longer. “Don’t listen to him,” he encouraged. “If Ethan truly is yours—”
“He’s not…we’re not…” She was finding it hard to deny. Her mind scrambled for reinforcement. She reminded herself, for the hundredth time, that Ethan was a despicable pirate, but that excuse was starting to lose weight. However, Cale’s theory did provide a rational explanation, and therefore must be considered. If wayward magic were involved, then that would remit everything. She could brush aside her desire and get on with her life.
Marik interrupted her thoughts. “Well, whatever this is”—he motioned to Ethan—“don’t let your past influence you.” His words held an edge more personal than he probably wanted to admit. She still didn’t fully know what went on between him and Nadua, but considering Marik’s history, it couldn’t have been easy for either.
Yet they are happy.
Part of her knew he was right. The horrors of her past, the stigma she’d applied to Ethan, were no longer pragmatic. But aside from that, there was the fact that Ethan didn’t want to be her mate.
She suspected the only reason Ethan was enamored by her was because she continued to despise him so thoroughly. He enjoyed the challenge. That was all.
After Marik left them alone, she warily faced Ethan, expecting him to demand she expand on Cale’s garish comment.
Instead, he gave her an impish grin. “You rushed to my defense.”
“It’s not what you think. I just didn’t want to have to find a new employee for my pub while your guts were being scraped off the walls.”
“Ah, of course. That makes more sense.” He moved closer, placing his hands on her hips as if it were the most natural thing to do.
Then she did something she never in a million years thought she would do. She rested her forehead against his shoulder. It was an involuntary move that felt far too gratifying.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she muttered, knowing he would catch her meaning.
“I didn’t ask.”
“You want to, though.”
“Yes.”
She quickly changed the subject. “Do you think Cale is right? About…” She couldn’t finish.
“It’s something I’ve considered.”
&n
bsp; “You have?”
“Yes, ever since I figured out you wanted to sink your teeth into me, and not just to tear out my throat.”
She pulled back, seeing a teasing glint in his eyes. Damn sexy, irritating male. “That is never going to happen. I’d slit you from navel to nose before that happens.”
“I’ve also figured out, the more you threaten my life, the more you want me.”
“You’re delusional. And possibly masochistic.”
“You may be right about that. It’s a good thing I heal fairly quickly.”
She laughed despite herself. “How is it you’re so fast? I’ve never seen anyone dodge like that.”
His grin widened. “Another facet of my gift. A family trait, actually.” He paused as if deciding to continue or not. “I’m able to read intent.”
She thought about that for a moment. “You cheat?”
“Utilize my advantages,” he corrected. His arm slipped to the small of her back.
“Tell me then, what are my intentions at the moment?”
“You intend not to let me kiss you right now, no matter how hard I try.”
She smirked, but did not refute.
“And I intend to do a lot more than just kiss you.”
Her eyes widened just as his grew dark with desire. Once she regained her composure, she tensed for battle. “Game on then.”
“Are you completely daft?” Sebastian dug his fingers deep into Cale’s neck, leading him down the hall.
Cale hardly felt it. His own conclusion had been like a kick to the gut. It all made sense now. Kyra, whether she realized it or not, was weaving a steel web through every corner of his brain, directing him to only think of her. To only want her. He couldn’t even notice other women now. They did not exist.
Jade had tried to entice him, and he had barely even registered the attempt.
From the moment he laid eyes on Kyra’s beguiling features, smelled her enthralling scent, the beginnings of a cage forged, intending to close its door on him. And if not him, the next poor fool to cross her path.
A territorial growl rumbled through him.
And yet, even with the foresight of his impending capture, he wanted to fall headlong into her trap. How could he already be so lost?