She wiped her palms down the creased gray tunic she wore and quietly followed him, her expression neutral, like what had just happened was already forgotten.
Why not. He was just another male she kissed and dismissed.
He entered the castle and navigated the long passageway, Leya a step behind him. And this unfathomable pull to her continued tightening his gut. Jaw clenched, he stopped and psychically scanned the place, glancing both ways down the meandering corridor.Where the hell was the—
“Kitchen is that way.” Leya pointed her thumb to his right, slight amusement tugging her lips.
He shot her a dark look. Shutting off the growl rumbling in his throat, he strode down the corridor to the door she’d indicated.
Dishes clinked. Voices chattered excitedly as he opened the door, but it all came to a standstill at their appearance.
Gray statues.
Gray.
No wonder the damn tunic Leya wore appeared familiar.
He had to reign in his anger they would treat her in this manner.
“Your Highness.” Jisele hastily curtsied, her gaze rushing to Leya standing at his side and back to him. “My pardon. I didn’t know the mistress wasyourguest, and let her stay in the staff quarters.”
He couldn’t blame her, considering Lykon’s reputation with the females, most of whom stayed overnight at the castle since his enforcers had their quarters here, too.
“This is Leya. She’s human.”
Their eyes widened. A few jaws dropped.
Yes,nowthey understood what that meant; Leya was likely a Chosen with their world’s magic. He wasn’t about to enlighten them otherwise, not when her protection was vital.
“The scroll test will be carried out upon our return to Earth.” He sensed Leya’s drilling stare, but she kept silent. Good. He planned to get the test redone, refusing to accept the inconclusive results. “She needs to be kept safe at all times.” He met each of their stares, so they got his point. “With a rebel after her, her safety’s paramount,” he said, his tone as deadly as the freezing rain that took over their world during the storm season.
“We’ll have lunch in an hour.” He stalked out, and the quick patter of Leya’s feet echoed behind him. He wasn’t in the mood to indulge her, yet he slowed his stride.
“You shouldn’t have been so hard on them. They didn’t know.”
She was right, but he didn’t care. “As long as they know you’re important and must be protected.”
“Why do you want to do the test again? It won’t change anything.”
“Because I never accept things as done untilIam satisfied with the results. Where did they put you? Which room?” He stopped in the hallway.
“The first floor.”
“It won’t do. Go get your things.”
Her brow creased. “Why? It’s a nice room.”
“Are you going to question everything I say?” he demanded, adding a layer of frustration to his already exhausted brain. She’d rejected him. He could live with that, but did she have to fight him every step of the way—
He broke off and bit back a growl, sensing a new arrival in the castle.
Haroth approached from the opposite end of the corridor a second later, stopping a few feet from them. “Sire, my pardon. But you have a visitor. He’s most insistent on seeing you.”
Languid footsteps echoed. “Don’t worry about announcing me, Har, old boy.” Eregen patted the stiff Haroth on his back, having followed him. “Ave, Your Highness.” He gave Aerén a half bow, his deep red hair sliding to his front as his gaze did a quick, appreciative up-down of Aerén.
“I heard you were back, Your Highness, and had to seek you out before you left again. It’s a matter of urgency.”
Keeping his expression neutral, Aerén nodded at the affable noble, who had a penchant for both males and females. They were acquaintances and generally got on, the male being the son of one of the council members—a council selected by Aerén’s parents when he was still a lad—who ran Cidéra in his stead.
