The urge to make things right between them hurried him on his way, but before Zehn could return to Mandy and Lore, Xav stopped him. “You and Lore must come with me. Fetch your bond-mate and meet me in the common area.”
Zehn had a bad feeling. He ran into Skye on the way and asked if she’d keep an eye on Mandy for him.
“Sure.” Skye studied him. For a time, he and Lore had lusted after the golden-haired female. A female warrior, an Earther, and a woman with energy that called out to Ussed. She’d intrigued him, yet even then he’d known Xav would have her, which meant she’d soon belong to the alpha as well. But had Zehn sensed his alpha or beta attracted to Mandy, he’d have fought to win her for his own. Mandy owned a piece of his soul, as Lore did.
Despite their battle being over, he worried she wouldn’t forgive them. No matter what punishment Talzec might give him for taking an offworlder from the resort—withoutherconsent—nothing would compare to Mandy’s judgement.
“You guys are in trouble for taking Mandy, aren’t you?” Skye asked.
“Probably.” Obviously Talzec had learned that they hadn’t left with a willing offworlder, but that they’d not only taken her without Talzec’s permission, they’d taken her withoutMandy’spermission.
Skye stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Good luck. Don’t worry. She loves you.”
“I hope so.” He sighed. Skye laughed at him, and he knew he could put off the inevitable no longer.
He walked with her to his dwelling and grabbed Lore. “Xav wants us. Skye will stay with our mate.”
“Pretend you’re sorry. That’ll go a long way toward getting Talzec off your back,” Skye offered.
They left, and Lore said, “Do you think she’s right?”
“I don’t think anything will protect us from our alpha. We broke the law.”
“To save her. I’d break it again and have no problem saying so.”
Zehn rolled his eyes. Great. He had an unrepentant mate, another mate who didn’t want to carry his child, and an alpha who’d probably oust them from the clan. Then maybe he and Lore could join the leftover Nasuhl. He cringed just thinking about it.
Lore clapped him on the back.I’ll protect you.
And I’ll protect you.
They found Talzec, Xav, and their fellow inner circle waiting in the central commons. Talzec stood front and center with Xav just behind him. The inner circle stood just beyond Xav. And ringed around the commons were a good fifty warriors, with more joining the crowd as he watched.Hell.
“Zehn and Lore, come forward.” Talzec stood, his arms crossed, his body a well-honed killing machine. He seemed to glow, replete with victory, his fighting spirit endless.
Lore sucked in a breath, feeling the same thing Zehn did. Since bonding together with their third, Zehn felt more from Ussed than he used to. It was as if he and Lore had opened each other up even more, allowing Lore’s abilities to filter through Zehn.
Yes. I think that has happened.Lore nodded.Mandy’s fire continues to burn inside me. Inside us.
“Before we get to disciplinary actions for your role in stealing anunwillingoffworlder,” Talzec paused, and Zehn saw empathy in the eyes of his fellow clansmen. “We must first discuss the battle.”
Zehn frowned. “What about it?” Okay, so he and Lorehadjumped in before Xav had given the order. And theyhadkilled a number of Nasuhl guards without permission. But it was battle.
“‘What about it?’” Talzec scowled. “You went in against Xav’s express orders to wait.”
“But—” Lore tried.
“You killed Nasuhl guards before I’d even approached Morlo.” Talzec talked over him. “You also protected your mate, decimated the humans, and set fire to countless Nasuhl warriors using an energy we have never before witnessed.” The silence around them grew deafening. “Lore, we had no idea you could dive into another’s mind the way you did with Watta. That takes considerable skill.”
Lore stared back at his leader with angry pride. “I’d do it again without hesitation. No one threatens my mate.” He paused. “Or my clan.”
Talzec stared at him, and Zehn felt a strange pressure directed at his mate. He growled and joined in Lore’s energy.
“Ah, see that?” Talzec said. “The joining.”
Xav nodded. “Yes. Their eyes are green. Phelthar is strong in this pair.”
“In this triad,” Talzec corrected. “The fire comes from Mandy, does it not?”
