“Let’s get some rest.” He helped me to my feet and we quietly left the group.
“Will you tell me what I can do?”
“There is nothing for you to do. I will deal with it.” His wing curled around me, tucking me next to him. “I have dealt with many things as the Vorazyr. You don’t need to be worried.”
If I knew what the issue was in the first place I might feel better with his assurance, but I didn’t, and he didn’t volunteer any further information.
The mood was subdued when we went into the tent. I was tired from the long day and constant activity, but worry kept my mind going as I tried to figure out what this could mean. If vorpyr didn’t have tranq darts and I easily recognized the item, did that mean that this was from the Consortium? If so, why were they firing animal tranquilizer darts? It was concerning.
I slipped into the bed after changing, my mind full of thoughts I couldn’t verify or fix. Arrazyl’s heat enveloped me as he slid in next to me. He pulled me against him and I basked in his scent and the safety I felt in his powerful arms. I wondered if he would initiate something. I was tired but I wouldn’t have said no. But he didn’t do anything except hold me.
His lips touched my neck in a gentle kiss. “I’m going to have to go back to the city tomorrow. I’ve instructed others to keep you safe while you finish gathering.”
“Is it the Consortium?” I threaded my fingers with his, my heart jackhammering at the thought of renewed contention because of this.
He pressed his face into my neck and breathed deeply before resting his chin on the top of my head again. “I only have theories.”
I waited, but he didn’t expound. “Is it really bad?”
“I believe it is.”
I tightened my hold on his hand.
Chapter 30
It had been three days since I last held Jacqueline. I’d been loathe to leave her, and I found myself reaching for her when I was just on the verge of sleeping and waking as though we’d been together for a long time. I was painfully aware that it would likely be another five days until they got back and I didn’t like it.
Kyvar entered my office. Given the hard mask he had over his features, he didn’t have good news.
“The Consortium reacted to our message through the Intergalactic Oversight Commission.”
“Oh?” My lazy tone concealed the twin emotions of rage and worry that I’d been running on for the last few days.
“They would like to set up a holo-meet.”
I had almost hoped they would respond that what I’d accused was preposterous, and that they had nothing to do with our affairs. “I will respond.”
He nodded curtly. I tapped my desk screen and sent a date and time to the Intergalactic Oversight Commission for a meeting.
“The gathering should be done in the next couple of days.” Kyvar gazed out the bank of windows in my office.
“Indeed.” I watched him. He must miss the little female. He still hadn’t shown interest in any other females.
“Are we going to tell them?”
“We tell them nothing.” I said sharply. “They are not involved in this.”
He inclined his head. “I agree.”
“That means no whispering things to your little human.”
He swung his gaze to me. “She’s notmylittle human.”
“Why not? I haven’t seen the usual parade of females through your life. There must be a reason. You don’t need to hide anything from me, you know that.”
With a heavy breath through his nose, he tapped his claws on the chair. “What did you do to ease the concern of mating with Jacqueline?”
“Got her excited and pushed in slowly.”
