“Scaron is waiting for us,” he said with a scowl on his face.
“That guy’s a real piece of work,” Taylor huffed, with her arms crossed over her chest.
“Did he wake you guys up?” Kayla asked.
“Yeah, he stood in our doorway like a creep, just watching us. It wasn’t until Brexl got out of bed to confront him that I even knew he was there.”
“I do not like how he looks at the females,” Brexl admitted.
“He eyes them as if they were a prize to be won and not females who are already mated.”
I had noticed that too, and I prayed to the goddess he would have the sense to keep away from Kayla and Taylor for our journey to the valley.
“We’ll just have to put on a more convincing show today.” Kayla hopped off the bed and held herhand out for me with a smile.
I stood and took her hand in mine before pulling her into my chest. “I will not be putting on a show.” I pressed my lips to hers in a gentle, yet thorough kiss. “There’s nothing fake about my affection for you.”
“Well, well, I see you two have worked things out.” Taylor smirked as she assessed us. “You two look good together. I-”
“I will not be forced to wait any longer,” Scaron interrupted Taylor, causing Brexl to growl.
The impatient sirret took a step back, momentarily forgetting he was in charge here. Brexl had that effect on people. He could strike fear into the heart of anyone who dared to cross him, which is why no one in our dekes ever did. Not that we needed to. Brexl was a gentle soul who just so happened to be able to shift into a monster.
Scaron straightened his spine and lifted his chin. “It’s time to go, and if either of you shift into your abominations or threaten me, or try anything at all, I will tell the Savrix that you’ve been mistreating these females. I will lie. I will do everything in my power to make sure you never see your mates again.
Scaron looked at Kayla with hunger in his eyes, like a beast about to devour a meal. He looked at my luna moth, my Kayla as a prize, not a person and I had to take a deep breath to prevent my claws from extending from my fingertips.
I slowly stood in front of her and nodded. “We are ready to go.”
His attention jerked back to me and the hunger in his eyes vanished. His face turned to a hard mask of anger before he stormed out of the ship.
“That guy gives me the creeps,” Taylor shivered.
In an uncharacteristically bold move for Brexl, he took Taylor’s hand in hers and said, “stay close to me and no harm will come to you.”
The female relaxed and nodded her head.
“I will offer his hand as a sacrifice to the goddess myself if he even tries to touch you.”
This won a small smile from Taylor. “I don’t doubt it.”
Taylor was a strange female. Not only was she not afraid of Brexl like the others, but she seemed amused by his threats of violence on her behalf, as if he were giving her a compliment and not threatening bodily harm against another.
I grabbed our bag and took Kayla’s hand in mine. Brexl and Taylor led the way and Kayla and I followed them outside. We were met with mixed reactions. Favalor smiled at our joined hands, but quickly hid his joy with a frown so Scaron would not see. Zander waited for his leader to look away before giving us a polite nod of acknowledgement. The others looked at us with disgust, including Scaron.
I quickly harnessed Jelly as Kayla and Taylor sat down in the chariot. I led the bafilo on the trail behind the others and Brexl walked next to the chariot, keeping a watchful eye on the forest.
Chapter 16
Kayla
CW: bullying, use of mobility device without permission
Our journey throughout the morning was silent. Even Taylor and I didn’t dare to speak to each other, even though we were so close. I’ve known men like Scaron. They do their best to bait you into a fight just to prove that you’re as hot-headed as they are. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction and I didn’t trust myself not to bite his head off at the first provocation, so I kept my mouth shut and gazed at the trees as we passed by.
Every once in a while, a vine would brush my shoulder and I knew it was Drovo’s doing. I liked that he was giving me reassurance, even without looking back at me. It was clever, and I liked clever men.
Scaron looked back twice, eyeing me, Taylor, and the chariot. On the third time, he announced, “I’d like to take a turn on that thing.”
