“No, it doesn't.” He nudged my shoulder with his. “It sounds right. You're fated to end the war. You are a conqueror. You just need to remember that you have strength even off the battlefield.”
“Damn,” I shook my head at him. “You are brilliant.”
Caleb grinned. “Thank you. You never thought I was smart, did you? A butcher. A man who slices up meat all day.”
“I didn't know you.” I shrugged. “It's sad to say that, but it's true. I knew your body, but that was all.”
“It's the same for me with you,” Caleb whispered. “But now we have a chance to do the opposite—to learn what we missed out on before without sex getting in the way. I think we'll make better friends than lovers.”
“I think so too.”
One of the large men we'd just been talking about came down the hallway toward us. Seeing movement out of the corner of my eye, I looked up from Caleb and saw that it was a Makhan lord. For a second, I thought it was Jathalion, and annoyance shot through me. But although the Lord had auburn hair, it was much longer than Jathalion's. I'd mistaken it for a shorter style because he had it pulled back in a war braid. He had green eyes as well, but the color was closer to turquoise than forest green. And the biggest difference was his wings. Jathalion's wings were black with glints of green. This man's were patterned like a hawk's.
“Hello, Lord Vardan,” I said as he drew closer.
Vardan grinned, and it set his turquoise eyes to sparkling. Turquoise is a type of blue, isn't it? A mix of green and blue.
“Hey, Ember.” Vardan stopped before us and nodded at Caleb. “Caleb.”
Caleb blinked as if surprised the Lord knew his name. “Uh. Hello, Lord Vardan. Thank you for your help with Fress.”
“I'm sorry I didn't go today. I got called on a mission.”
“Oh. Did it go all right?” I asked.
Vardan frowned, his wings pulling in behind him. “It was messy.”
I made a face. “Because you had to bury the corpses afterward?”
“Because there were more of them, and they were faster than usual. They swarmed my partner on the ground, Lord Dielran. I had to pick him up and take him to a safe location to regroup. He was on the verge of shifting into his dragon form.”
“Shit!” I stood up. “How many were there?”
Vardan shook his head. “Maybe sixty.”
“Sixty!”
He nodded. “We ran out of counterspells and had to burn them.”
“Have you told the General?”
“Yes, of course. All the teams will be larger now, not just yours.”
“Good.” I scowled but sat back down. “Damn it, he's always one step ahead of us.”
Caleb rubbed at his temple, his expression gone worried. Before I could reassure him, Vardan reassured me.
“He's not always a step ahead.” Vardan set his hand on my shoulder. “And we will be victorious in the end.”
I met his stare and shivered. Fuck. I was attracted to him. Really attracted. But I was trying to concentrate on one man at a time. And it bothered me that someone could get my attention like this so easily. I suppose being in love doesn't stop you from feeling lust for someone else, and I was more inclined because of my magic or destiny or whatever. But I still felt fickle.
“Yes, you're right,” I murmured.
Vardan grinned again, this time softer. It felt intimate even though Caleb was sitting next to me. His hand slid along my arm as he dropped it, and his wings rustled. Makhan wings were a good indicator of their emotions, but each man was different. I'd have to learn what Vardan's movements meant.
Wait. What was I doing? Was I already scoping out my next conquest?
“I'm going down to dinner.” Vardan drew back. “Maybe I'll see you there.”
