And I am. Barnabac Craxon hasalwaysbeen my general, even while I’ve dined with Skartovius and the other sick-blooded nobles.
“Oh? Very interesting. Continue.”
The bond flares again.
I nod toward the table. “They possess a weapon even greater than the silver sitting in that sack, my lord. A weapon that . . . in the right hands . . . could make your military the most feared force in the world.”
His eyes brighten. Like me, Barnabac is nothing if not a glutton for violence. “Don’t keep me in suspense, son,” he croons. “What is this weapon?”
“It is called the Loreblood.” I clench my jaw, finally forcing down the swallow I’d resisted until now. “And I have access to it, Master.”
Chapter 8
Sephania
Once Vallan is gone, I pout, staring at the closed tent flap. “Well, that was a rather rude departure.”
Behind me, Garroway chuckles. I feel him closing the gap, his heat wafting toward me. “What was rude, little honey badger, was watching you kiss him so fervently without giving me a taste.”
Over my shoulder, I see him grinning inches away, his full lips close. I bob my eyebrows. “Someone jealous?”
He leans in and kisses me, cradling my chin with his deft fingers. “Of course I am.”
His violet-red orbs are a lighter tone than fullbloods. “Don’t worry, Garro, I’ve missed you as much as Vall.”
“Yet you went to him first.”
Truehearts, his jealousy runs deep.“Only because he was closest to the Chained Sisters. I didn’t even know where you were, cub.”
He tilts his head to kiss me again, embracing me from behind and pushing his lean body against my curves. “Calling me ‘cub,’ now, are you? Like Skar and Vall?”
“Well, youareas much my thrall as you are Skar’s, are you not? Since drinking from me?”
He hums lowly. “I suppose there’s some truth to that simplified explanation.” The hardness I feel when he grinds against me tells me everything I need to know.
I scoot back, teasing the half-blood by ghosting my touch across his chin as I depart. “Come now, I’ve defiled enough of this camp for one evening. Yes, I’m sorry you missed it, but I’d like to vacate the premises if it’s all the same to you.”
“Get me out of this dusty shithole.” Screwing up his features as he looks down at himself, he adds, “It’s terrorizing my clothes.” Garro takes my hand in his, squeezing, and puts aside his desires for something more innocuous. “Where would you like to go, honey badger?”
My lips pucker as I think and glance up at the dipping tarp of the tent—as if I haven’t had an idea in mind since first laying eyes on him in here. “I haven’t seen my friends in Nuhav since the botching of my public outing at Skar’s last shadowgala. I’d like to do that.”
A touch of sadness reaches his thin brow. “Sadly, lass, I don’t think they’re your friends anymore.”
“I fear you’re right.” My eyes glance to the door flap of the tent.Palacia said as much.“Still, I’d like to check. Would you accompany me, and act as my daring escort?”
“Last time we went into Nuhav together, Alacine’s assassins attacked us and we almost died.”
I give him a mock shiver. “Invigorating, wasn’t it?”
He throws his head back and laughs. “You always surprise me, lass.” Leaning to his side, he presses a tender kiss to my collar, which gives me arealshiver. “I would accompany you to the ends of the earth if you asked, little honey badger. So long as I get to follow you.”
His words reach deep, choking off my reply. I fight off the endearing sentiment and playfully bounce my eyebrows instead. “Submissive as ever, I see.”
We head for the tent flap. “Don’t tell Master Skar,” he whispers. “He’ll punish me.”
“And you’d love it.”
As he opens the flap for us to exit, Garroway shoots me a mischievous wink.
