by Sabrina Kade
She sniffs. “No, but they said I was with you, so they assumed I was the one Yayk mentioned.”
My blood boils. “And yet you don’t know who they were?”
“Maybe someone from the second lair?” she guesses.
No. I am willing to bet it was not someone from there, but I am not ready to explain the dividing to Ellis. Prince Korben doesn’t want any of the human women to learn about it, but with things going the way they are now, I’m not sure if that’s a realistic expectation anymore. Yayk must have reached out to them. Told them what I did. Told them about the women. He was not supposed to. If Kydaris had taken care of the delivery, this never would have happened.
I warned Prince Korben celebrating Christmas was dangerous.
Ugh but I was the one who brought Ellis to the drop site. I showed her off like an excited sprog, and Yayk wanted her. Of course, he did. And when I denied him, he felt embarrassed.
This is my fault.
There’s only one way to figure out who Yayk spoke to, but I don’t know if any of the women have the strength or the stomach for it. Because if I do find out who talked about Yayk in front of Ellis, I plan to rip their scales off one by one. Maybe I’ll use them to decorate another tree for the human holiday.
The thought gives me entirely too much pleasure.
“I will handle this,” I say suddenly, taking Ellis’ arm. Blythe goes to move until I spin around. “You will not speak a word of this to Prince Korben. It will only upset him.” She nods, and though I know there’s next to no chance she’ll do as I ask, I push forward. “I am the muscle in Korben’s body, and I know how to handle this best. If you truly want to, as Ellis says, prevent a panic, you will let us deal with it.”
“Us?” Ellis squeaks, but unfortunately, I don’t have time to answer her.
Blythe dumbly nods as I turn to leave. “I’ll keep my mouth shut for a few days. But if things are still wrong, then you have to tell me, Hujun. Or I’ll talk to Korben myself.”
“Do what you must.” I am not worried. I will have this taken care of in a few days. And though Ellis is rambling off questions as I tug her back to my privacy lair, I cannot stop my mind from racing. How can I fix this without letting Ellis know of the dividing? How can I make sure Ellis is truly safe without killing Yayk himself? And if I do kill him, will Prince Korben’s father send an assassin to kill me? I cannot die now. I need to be by my Ellis’ side.
My Ellis. I like the sound of it. I look down upon the top of her head as she keeps pace with me, practically jogging along. There’re a few funny stares sent in our direction, but most who have worked with me understand the look on my face. They know what is about to happen. It is risky, but I am not sure if I have a choice. I must protect her. She must be safe. I’m tired of Yayk haunting my Ellis’ dreams.
My plan begins to take shape. I try to remember the parts beyond the second triss where the dilewilers roam. They will make for the perfect cover. After all, no man can speak without a tongue.
I should not enjoy these thoughts as much as I do. After all, Ellis is afraid. And Korben’s mate has given me a strict time frame to fix things. But still, my heart races. This is what I’ve been waiting for since my eyes settled upon Ellis. A chance to prove I am not weak with her by my side.
Both thoughts leave me ecstatic with joy.
I can almost feel the blood on my fingers once again.
***
“I do not understand why I cannot come.” Iriel sounds irritated. I have not told him anything, but he is angry that I am taking the woman who’s caught his eye away for a few days.
Drazal is going with me instead of him. Iriel does not like this idea, but I do not care what a spoiled brat like him thinks. Ellis does not like him, and this is just another way to make my Ellis happy.
There’s a tentative smile on her nervous features as Iriel storms away. She is frightened, yes, but she is also pleased that Iriel will not be with us.
This is not going to be a fun trip, but I cannot think of another way to track down those who have frightened Ellis so much. The ones who spoke Yayk’s name have obviously been following us, and what better way to draw them out into the open then to go somewhere where no one will hear them scream? Ellis suggested Phoebe come with us because she wanted her to get away from Iriel, and though I don’t think the pale-haired one is interesting or even tolerable, I agree because Ellis wants it this way.
Plus, it has apparently pissed off Iriel, which I thoroughly enjoy. Back at the fatherland, he was always used to having his way. I’m shocked he chose exile instead of delivering a public apology. Perhaps his family could not endure the shame of his betrayal. It is not my place to know his family’s secrets, and I certainly do not care now. On Hethdiss, the now matters more than the then. The now is what can build a future.
I notice the pale-haired one chatting away with Ellis, and though she seems nervous, she is no longer trembling.
Ellis knows I am going to end the source of her fears on this trip.
And while Drazal has a faint idea of what I’m up to, Phoebe is entirely clueless.
As far as she’s concerned, we’re going for a visual pleasure trip, and she’s always spoken about going beyond the second triss. I don’t think she’s going to want to leave the lair after this trip is finished, and I’m sure both Prince Korben and Drazal will be alright with that. It didn’t even take much coercing Korben for me to leave with Drazal, Ellis, and another human, and perhaps he knows I am up to something. Maybe, his large-breasted mate did keep her mouth shut.
Or maybe it’s that Prince Korben does not ask me questions too often.
He likes that I get things done without him knowing until after my mission is completed.
His hands remain clean.
And me? I love to get my hands bloody.
“And we’re going beyond the lagoon?” Phoebe chirps.
“Yes, for the fifth time,” Ellis says, rolling her eyes. She’s already beginning to regret her request to bring her along, but I warned her not to bring someone. She was the one who said something about more people making the talkative Sidyths more comfortable about approaching us.
If it’s just you and me, the others might suspect something. Be more cautious. But if we bring another couple? They’ll get overconfident. Lazy, maybe. And then, we can figure out who Yayk spoke to.
Yes. This is the Ellis I like. The confident and crafty one. She loves the idea of setting a trap to draw out those who think they can scare or harm Ellis or me. It’s a brilliant idea, and though I long to tell her so, I merely nod like an idiot, hoping she can read the approval in my eyes.
No other woman will do for me. Whether I will never be able to Choose her or not. Ellis does not weaken me.
She makes me stronger.
I almost feel bad for the pale-haired one. She knows the least about why we’re going so far away from the lair. And though she’s upset Iriel wasn’t invited, there’s a certain amount of thrill in her eyes. She was the perfect one to bring along. She seems innocent and unassuming. If one of the other Sidyths hears her talking, they will think she is an easy target. But Drazal will keep watch of her. He will keep her safe. He knows all about the dividing, so his eyes will remain alert.
“What’s beyond the second hillside anyway?” Phoebe asks, turning to me.
“They call it a triss here,” I remind her gently.
“Triss then. What’s beyond it?”
I merely shake my head, not wanting to get into deep conversation as we head toward the lair opening. Others keep asking where we’re going, but I owe no one answers.
“Monsters beyond your scariest nightmares,” Drazal says without missing a beat.
I smile. He is not wrong.
Phoebe smiles as well, though I am not entirely sure why. “Sure, right,” she says with a giggle. “This place isn’t so bad. I’ve barely seen any wild animals.”
I hum thoughtfully, sharing a look with Drazal. The pale-haired human is
right in one regard. There are, in fact, not many wild animals on this part of Hethdiss. Most do not care for the rain, but many are also nervous because we are viewed as predators. And while we may speak and act like humans, most animals understand that we are not. Prince Korben gave us many lectures about how to conduct ourselves around the human women, but the animals do not know that. It is strange that the pale-haired one assumes she is safe in this little community on Hethdiss because surely, she must have places on her homeworld where wild animals are more prominent than others. I am not sure she is quite prepared to run into a dilewiler, and I hope our party doesn’t meet up with one until the time is right.
“You are not afraid, Fee-bee?” Drazal asks, cocking his head down at her.
“Iriel said the woods beyond the lair are nice,” she says. “He’s offered to take me there several times.”
And Drazal and I are no longer smiling at her innocence. Luckily, Ellis steps forward and voices our shared concerns.
“Wait, Iriel offered to take you beyond the triss?”
She nods. “I wanted to see the lagoon where those fireflies live.”
“That is not allowed,” I rumble before Ellis can ask her any other questions. I want no room for miscommunication.
“I’m not going alone,” Phoebe says.
“It does not matter,” I scold her, hoping this time I do make a human feel like a sprog. I feel like I must treat her like one. “If Iriel says this to you again, I want you to report to me.”
“Or me,” Drazal says, sharing a sincere look.
Iriel is beginning to cause problems. I am angered he is still acting like the spoiled brat I remember from the fatherland, but I cannot focus upon that now. For the time being, I must see that Ellis is kept safe. And if there are those who are muttering nonsense in hopes of scaring her again, I must remove the threat. There is a strong possibility Ellis is not going to like seeing this side of me, but I cannot be bothered with such silliness. If Ellis honestly does care for me, she must look at all sides of me.
I steal a glance in her direction, and I can tell she is as worried about what Phoebe’s said as well as myself and Drazal. Iriel – while confident – is indeed not one of our stronger fighters. He is weak. He comes from a considerably wealthier family than my own, and he has never been a faithful servant to the royal crown. He and his family are takers. They always wanted to move up. Iriel openly courted several females in Prince Korben’s lair in hopes that one of them would Choose him. I am not quite sure I understand his motive now for wanting a human mate. Surely, he would be looked down upon if we were ever to return to the fatherland.
And I do plan to return there.
For now, I focus on the trip ahead. The women are ready to go, and Drazal is already starting to show signs of frustration. I can tell he wants to approach Iriel and confront him as to why he’s trying to lead the pale-haired human beyond the second triss, while in fact, none of us are supposed to go there, let alone with humans. It is only because of my favor with the prince that no one is turning to look at me. They think I have Chosen. They believe I have taken Ellis as a mate and am going to the caves as Azan does with his. I let them think this because I cannot be bothered to explain my actions.
Unless my plan is successful, Prince Korben is not going to be pleased. Since the dividing, we have all stuck to our respectful dwellings on Hethdiss. And where we are now? This is one of the safest. As Phoebe mentioned, there are no wild animals here, but that is indeed not the case beyond the second triss and the lagoon.
I can only hope neither of the humans will do anything stupid. I have heard they are an arrogant race because they live in their little bubble where only they are viewed as superior beings.
Superiority does not matter any longer. Humans are not members of the Galactic Federation, and so they are often viewed as nothing more than highly intelligent pets or sentient toys.
We all move away from the lair, and there’s no one at the gate to bid us well. I’m assuming Glykoran has figured out what’s going on and has conveniently left the opening vacant to give the four of us time to leave without too many questions. The rain is falling at a steady clip, but Drazal and I have gathered enough leaves to protect the humans from most of it. Phoebe doesn’t seem to mind the rain as much, and Ellis also enjoys not having her vision blocked in any way, shape or form.
The first couple hours are filled with pleasant enough conversation between Drazal and Phoebe. They both enjoy talking, so it’s not surprising that Ellis and I fall silent. The weather is warmer than usual today, and I am thankful because the less I have to worry about keeping my temperature up, the better. I glance to the skies, wondering if the rain is going to let up, but the lavender clouds reach beyond the horizon. I long for the heat of the sun. I know Drazal does not like the rain, so I wonder how he is faring, but I don’t ask because I don’t want him to come across as weak to the mate he seeks.
“How are you doing?” I ask Ellis instead as we trod across the steep hill over the first triss. I can tell she’s winded from the travel, but I don’t bother to offer her help. Unlike most of the women, Ellis likes to be seen as reliable. I reach into my pack and provide her some water. She waves it away. She is nervous. I do not need her to answer to know that.
“I’m okay.”
She’s looking around the trees above us, watching as the dark purple and blue trees shift colors toward light and dark green. There is a whisper of a chill in the air, but certainly not enough for a human to notice.
“Is this the farthest you have gone from the lair?” I ask as Drazal and Phoebe move ahead of us. I can tell they are talking, but I do not know the words, so I enjoy the chance to focus on Ellis fully.
She nods. “Yes. The trees are changing. It feels different.”
This causes my face to brighten slightly.
Beyond the dip of the landing beyond the first triss, the air continues to grow chillier and much less comfortable. I am not sure how those who escaped the dividing can survive even further north than this, but I try not to think about them.
They were the ones who abandoned my prince.
They were the ones who blamed him for the exile.
They didn’t want to be with the rest of us.
These Sidyths are no longer my brothers. They are traitors.
“Can we take a break soon?” Phoebe asks suddenly, turning around to face Ellis and me. “My legs hurt. I’m not used to all this exercise. Maybe you should have brought Devyn or Rene.”
Drazal frowns, glancing across our surroundings. “You should not be so loud, Fee-Bee.”
She rolls her eyes and bounds back closer to Ellis and me. “I grabbed some of the sweet, pink bread before we left. I don’t even need to take a big break, but I need to sit down. My feet are killing me.”
I frown at the pale-haired human. And then I turn toward Drazal.
“Would you feel comfortable carrying her? I really would like not to stop until right before the dilewiler territory.”
“Dilewiler?” Ellis asks.
“What the hell is a dilewiler?” Phoebe asks.
“I thought Drazal told you. They are your worst night terrors rolled into a single vision. Once we are in their territory, and it shall be brief, but we’ll all need to be on high alert until they feed.” A rare chill of worry runs through my spine, and I share another look with Drazal. “You don’t have to follow us through there. Coming this far has been kind enough, brother.”
“I want to see a diler!” Phoebe chirps.
“Don’t be stupid,” Ellis says, leaning closer to me. “Is that the creature you were telling me about earlier?” I nod, and she shudders. “Phoebe, I don’t think any of us wants to see one of those things. Don’t say stupid shit.”
“I'm not stupid!” Phoebe squeals, and I feel a hiss rising in my throat, but Drazal notices immediately and quickly rests a hand on her shoulder.
“You must not speak so loudly. The talas hear everything.”
<
br /> Another shudder makes its way through Ellis. I pull her more firmly against me.
“Carry her if she will not walk,” I say to Drazal.
“Right.”
“No! I can walk myself!” Phoebe squeals, pushing Drazal away. “God, if I knew this was going to be a couples retreat, I would have brought—” She stops short when Drazal hisses loudly. Phoebe wilts. “Sorry. I don’t mean that.”
Drazal rolls his eyes. “If you will not be carried, then you will walk. Let’s go.” His eyes drift to the sheltering leaves of the vendas trees. They are different from the talas. Their leaves are large but thin, hardly protecting us from the rain. I am thankful the temperature has not dropped to the point where I am entirely uncomfortable, but I am growing weaker as the sun starts to set.
Drazal and I will hardly be able to move if we don’t set up camp before the sun disappears.
I turn my chin down toward Ellis. “Would you like to be carried?” I offer in a low voice as we all start to move again.
“Are we going to be walking for much further?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes widen, and she hesitantly runs a shaky hand through her hair. “How would you carry me? On your back? Piggyback style?”
I arch an eyebrow. “I do not know what this means. The piggyback. Here. I will show you.” Without giving her a chance to protest, I swing Ellis over my back, and she wraps her legs around my waist. Her soft breasts brush against my back as she wraps her arms around my neck and her mouth is dangerously close to my ear. My cock stiffens, and I let out a gasp in surprise by how pleasant this feels. I did not mean to make myself excited, and I’m beyond humiliated when Drazal turns and notices my cock swelling beneath my shorts.
“Are you going to be alright, brother?” he asks in a teasing tone.
“Something wrong?” Ellis asks, all but brushing her lips against the sensitive skin on my ear.