When they let go, staring down at her with sappy grins on their faces, she asked the first thing that came to her mind, before she lost it again and went down on her knees for the sexy bastards. “What doestonanmean?”
Lore blinked. “I, ah, it’s a term of affection.”
“You hold claim to our service, Mandy of Vyctore,” Zehn teased, then grew serious. “You will know only safety and prosperity with us. Here, in our land.” He and Lore, as one, put their hands over their chests. “In our hearts.”
She hated to be so cynical, but something was wrong—because it felt tooright. “Why does it sound as if you’re claiming me? Am I now officially your third or your mate or something?” She wanted badly to accept, which was stupid. She’d been controlled her whole life. Mandy wanted freedom. The ability to see new worlds, experience new things. Without the tether of a man.
Let alonetwogiant, dominating warriors.
“Come. You have questions, and you need to rest.” Zehn took one of her hands, and Lore took the other.
Their link, both physical and mental, settled like a blanket of power. Her aches and fatigue disappeared—just like the wound at Zehn’s neck.
“Wow. That water does heal.”
Lore nodded. “Zehn wasn’t injured too badly to begin with. But the waters in our world are connected with us, with the land. Life as one.”
“Lore understands this better than our clansmen,” Zehn told her. “But all of us are a family. Something you will see soon enough.” He squeezed her hand.
Their journey had come to an end, apparently, because as they rounded another thicket of dense trees, she noted a few barbarians appearing, seemingly from out of nowhere. Talk about good camouflage.
“Lore, Zehn.” One of the men smiled. “Welcome back.” He looked at Mandy, narrowed his eyes, and seemed to, well, sniff in her direction. His eyes widened and he laughed. “Blessings, of certain. Welcome, small female. Such grace and beauty.”
“Yes, and ours,” Zehn said, his voice a growl.
“Ours,” Lore repeated.
“Oh, for the love of…” Mandy yanked her hands free and stomped forward, into the village she could now sense. She stepped onto the matted grasses of a path and continued, her guys right behind her.
“Do not be angry, Mandy.” Lore sounded anxious. “We only mean to make our presence known, by your side, so that the others will not bother you. Not that they would be anything but attentive, but we want you to, ah—”
“Have space,” Zehn finished as they drew next to her, one on either side. “To be private yet protected at all times. That’s why we act possessive.”
“Yeah, sure. Something’s up with you two. But you did say you’d never keep me here against my will, right?”
“On our lives, we so pledge,” Lore said, somber. Zehn nodded.
Satisfied, because deep down she felt their honesty, she relaxed. Oh, she knew they weren’t telling her everything, but she’d get it out of them sooner or later. In the meantime, she finally had a chance to be safe from the Franciscos, from her fire—which still needed explaining—and to relax.
Perhaps she had found the paradise the Welcome resort promised after all.
