“Oh, right,” she said, hiding her disappointment. “You were making sure my skin was healed.”
“And now we’ll get you those runes. It must be so distressing losing them like you did. I am impressed at your stoicism. Not all would be so calm.”
“I’m nothing if not calm,” she lied, her swollen clit already aching with conflicted feelings, her mind and body both well aware that she was going to be enduring the trek back with a nasty case of blue bean and no means for relief.
Ella followed him to shore and dried off, the two dressing and loading up their gear then setting off on the return trip. The ache was better, but only a little. Heading out, she felt it with every step. Diminished but not gone. She sighed quietly, following Draikis, the gorgeous man leading the way without a worry in the world while his frustrated companion kept pace.
But keep pace she did, no matter the discomfort. It was the only option.
This is going to be a long walk.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The scowls of the brothers were not hidden when Draikis and his female counterpart strode back into the compound’s walls. Draikis had made the case for her care, and it had been provided, but now that she no longer resembled a charred monster, her feminine figure was proving a distracting annoyance to more than a few, Totaxxis, the brotherhood’s top security enforcer notable among them.
“Draikis,” he said as his brother and his guest made their way past him through the large front courtyard.
“Totaxxis,” the priest replied with a respectful nod. “Are you well? You appear somewhat out of sorts.”
Unhappy eyes flicked to the woman in their midst, looking her up and down in a glance before returning to the male before him. “Shouldn’t she be gone by now?”
Draikis flashed a disarming smile, but Ella didn’t think this guy was going to buy it. Not for a second.
“Come, my friend. You know the situation. Ella is our guest, and it is an honor to nurture a wounded citizen back to health. It is written.”
“It’s also written that females are not to be within these walls.”
“We’ve talked about this. There is flexibility to some directives, and this is one of them. Now, if it were written in the ancient texts, that might be another issue altogether. But this? A far more recent addition.”
“Rules are rules. Women are not allowed here.”
Draikis gently placed his hand protectively on Ella’s shoulder. “Totaxxis, I know you are a brother of great honor.”
“I would not have reached my position if not.”
“Precisely. And for that reason, you must also be well aware that the person you speak of is right here beside me, and no matter your personal feelings, it’s unbecoming of you to insult our guest.”
Totaxxis looked as though he was about to say something, then fell silent, thinking better of it. While he was the muscle within the order, it seemed Draikis was the more powerful when it came to words and logic. Ella felt a little flutter in her belly. He’d just used those skills to come to her defense. No stupid brawling, though he could surely hold his own. No yelling or shouting. But rather calm, rational de-escalation.
He’d stood up for her in the most appealing way imaginable. Whatever she’d thought of him before, her esteem for him had only increased with this display.
“Come with me, Ella. We should get you prepared. Totaxxis, I’ll see you later, my brother. Perhaps we can discuss this further at your leisure.”
Ella felt the man’s eyes on her back as Draikis led her into the structure across the courtyard, the sensation only ceasing when they were safely inside. Other glances were cast her way, but at least none of these felt nearly so viscerally full of disdain.
“What’s his problem with me?”
Draikis seemed at a rare loss for a moment as he sought the right words. “Totaxxis came to us later in life.”
“So, not some youngster.”
“Exactly. Before joining the order Totaxxis was a trader, and a shrewd businessman at that. He was married. Had a small child.”
Ella’s gut sank. “Oh no. How did they die?”
“What? No, they are alive and well. But his partner was not his Infala mate. They were close, but that bond did not seal their destiny.”
“She left him?”
