“Liri, my destra.” Thax came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, giving her his warmth.
Liria nestled back against her destru as she continued to stare at a window she could see, just above the wall. It was the commander's quarters, and she had a feeling it was where that blond Nethren would be. And if he was there, maybe her sister—
A faint sound wafted over the walls, and Liria jerked forward, out of Thax's arms. Everyone in camp came alert, and the Nethren guards on the walls all turned toward the very same window Liria had been staring at. Because the song came from there.
“Oh, sweet Convergence,” Liria whispered, her eyes tearing up. “It's Lena.”
Thax stepped up beside her and stared at the window. “I hear her. Yes, that's definitely your sister. What a lovely voice.”
All around the camp, the hardened faces of soldiers softened as they stopped what they were doing to listen. Even Commander Caden was affected, coming out of his tent to stare at the fortress along with everyone else. He was just a few tents down from Liria, so she could see his rapt expression. And those fucking Nethren looked just as entranced, not a single soldier moving, all of them turned away from the siege camp to look at Lena's window. Lena's ethereal voice held them all enthralled. If only she could use that power to free herself.
“It's a love song.” Liria scowled in confusion. “She's singing a love song.”
“Maybe she knows we're here, and she's trying to tell us she has faith in us.” Thax slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “And she should, destra. She should have faith because we will free her. I swear to you.”
“I know.” Liria glanced at her destru. “I'm just afraid of what she'll endure before we rescue her.”
“She's singing. That's a good sign.” Thax narrowed his eyes at the window. “And now we know where she is. We will go straight to her when we get into the fortress.”
“Yes, you're right.” Liria still didn't smile. All she could think of was her sister in the arms of that monster. Had he forced her to sing? Was he sitting beside her, his metal hand on her back or her thigh? Had he forced himself on her? “That fucking monster!”
“Shh.” Thax kissed the top of her head. “She will survive. Lena is your twin, so she must share your strength, and I know this wouldn't break you.”
Liria shook her head, tears coming to her eyes. “No, Lena isn't like me at all. She's delicate. Fragile. So fucking kind!” She spun to face Thax. “She doesn't deserve this. Out of all the people he could have taken, Lena is the least prepared to survive something like this. He'll break her, Thax. Even if she lives through it, Lena will never be the same.”
“Stop that!” Thax turned to face her. “Just because Lena has a kind heart, it doesn't mean she's not strong. Have more faith in her. She will bring that motherfucker to his knees. You wait and see, destra. That Nethren doesn't know what he's in for. He's probably kneeling before her right now.” He waved his hand toward the window. “Look at them. They may be heartless monsters, but Lena has just tamed them with a song. If those soldiers are reacting like that, imagine how he's reacting. I don't care how evil he is. He won't be able to hurt her after hearing her sing.”
They looked back at the window together, going silent to listen to Lena's love song. It had shifted from the sadness of separation to the joy of reunion. With a jolt, Liria realized Thaxvarien was right. Lena was sending them a message—they were apart now, but they'd be together again soon. Her sister had more strength and bravery than Liria had given her credit for.
The song finally faded away, and the Nethren soldiers shook themselves as if waking from a dream. Down in the camp, something similar happened: all the soldiers coming out of the trance Lena had put them in.
“That's it, Sis.” Liria lifted her chin. “Use what you've got. Make those bastards your puppies.”
“Was that her?” a voice came from their right.
Liria turned to see General Caden standing beside them, glancing at the window that had held everyone's attention. “Yes, that was Lena. My sister was telling me she has faith in me.”
“I've never heard anything like it. She's . . .” He straightened to his full height. “We will save her, Chief Drask.”
“I'm not technically a chief anymore, sir. And it's Rennux, not Drask,” she corrected him. “And I know we'll save her, sir. Because I won't stop until my sister is safe.”
The general cleared his throat, looking a little embarrassed. “Yes, well, uh. I'll leave you to your rest.” He hurried back to his tent.
“Come, destra.” Thax drew her inside their tent and tied the flaps closed. “It's been a week since we married, and we still haven't celebrated properly. I promise to make it up to you when we get home, but for now, let's forget about everyone else for a while.”
Liria let Thax draw her to the two camp cots, pushed together at the back of the tent. A soft smile came to her lips. She couldn't do anything for Lena now. So, why squander time on worry? The anxiety would be there in the morning. Tonight, she needed to be with her destru.
Thaxvarien's eyes began to glow as his special type of converging came to his call. The very air bent to his will, lifting her dress over her head and setting it on the floor. Liria didn't have power over air, so she resorted to using her hands to undress her destru, taking her time to stroke his hard flesh as she revealed it. Her fingers teased his hardening nipples and then trailed down to his waistband.
Even as Liria worked on undressing her destru, Thaxvarien's power swept around her, drawing down her panties and helping her out of her shoes. Thax kicked off his boots before Liria bent to pull his pants down. He stepped free and pushed off his undershorts before she could reach for them.
Liria pouted.
“I can wait no longer, Liri.” Thax lifted Liria off her feet and set her down on the blankets that united their cots. Releasing his convergence, he used his hands to remove her bra. “My destra,” he murmured. “You amaze me.” He cupped her cheek and then slid his hand down her throat, over her collarbone, and to her breast. “You're so beautiful, strong, and wise. I can hardly believe you're mine.”
“Thax,” Liria whispered as he bent his head to her breast. A moan left her, and she spread her legs for him to settle between. “I love you.”
He lifted his head to declare, “I love you too, Liri.” And then he kissed her.
