She pressed her cheek to the center of my chest, and I held her tight, crushing her against me, grounding us both in our connection. I placed a kiss atop her head as I ran a soothing hand down her back. She went soft against me as if this was exactly what she needed. Gods knew it was what I needed. I felt her heart sync with mine, and I held her to me as if she were the only thing anchoring me to this life.
“I missed you,” she mumbled against my chest.
“And I you.”
“Don’t get kidnapped again.” She sniffled.
A small chuckle left me as I rested my chin atop her head, combing my fingers through her hair. “I’ll try my best.”
I pulled her into bed with me, holding her as she told me of her plans and what she needed from me. It was nearly impossible to let her go, but I knew that we both had our parts to play if we wanted to escape this place. I spent long moments kissing her goodbye before allowing her to slip out of my room. And as the sun rose on the next day, I plotted just how to kill my brother without losing the love of my life.
63
CAMERON
Dianna spread out the map she’d stolen, showing us where to go.
“If,” Kaden interrupted, still disguised as one of the guards, “your plan succeeds, and we all don’t die, that won’t be the safest route to evacuate. It will be the first one they’ll close down.”
The line of her jaw tightened, that tension from days ago still bubbling beneath the surface. I wondered how quickly she would rip his head off if she could do it without causing damage to herself. I’d pay good money to see that.
“He’s right,” Isaiah said. “She has different ports set up around this planet, each taking you to a different realm. I’d pick a trade route. It will take us longer to return, but it will be the last place she’d look.”
Silence fell as she weighed her options, and I could see her wondering just how much she could trust them. I understood and agreed. The only reason there was a modicum of trust is that we all knew they wanted to live.
“Fine,” she said, sliding the map off the table and rolling it up. “Just stick to the plan.”
I sighed deeply, trying to release some of the tension building in me. They weren’t on each other’s side. They were just three powerful caged predators, snapping and snarling at each other.
“Just because you’re my queen doesn’t mean you can boss me around,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
Dianna startled, as if she’d forgotten I was there. Then she smirked, hitting me softly over the head with the rolled-up prints. “Actually, that’s exactly what it means.” She handed me the map and started toward the door. “Now, it’s time for my part. Play nice.” Her eyes cut toward Kaden and Isaiah. “All of you. Please.”
We nodded before pushing away from the table. “See you on the other side. Be careful, your grace,” I said with a jaunty salute.
She didn’t turn around, but held up her middle finger as she walked out the door.
INEVER THOUGHTKaden would impress me, but as we wandered the lower level of this damn mothership, I had to admit I was impressed. All three of us wore the skin of the three lower crewmen we had eaten. Our wings were tucked in tight, and we wore dark overalls, gloves, and hard hats. The guards on this level barely gave us a passing glance as we walked in, yet even with the disguises, I didn’t know how they couldn’t tell who Kaden and Isaiah were. Their long strides showed how, even in their smaller forms, they held themselves high. They contained such power that I was stupid not to know or sense the relation to Samkiel until recently. The overencompassing power of Unir ran through more than their blood.
“We wait and follow Dianna’s plan,” Kaden said, and for once, it didn’t seem like he was dripping in sarcasm. Isaiah himself didn’t even roll his eyes for once.
“I don’t buy it.”
“Buy what?” Kaden asked, his face set in what looked like a permanent grimace.
“This whole change,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. “Do you think this will earn you a way back into her pants?”
Isaiah’s brows shot up, but he didn’t speak. Kaden turned toward me, his movements reminding me who I was talking to. “Is that what you think?”
“I think you’re still in love with her.” I clicked my teeth. “Which is weird since you like to throw the sister you murdered in her face.”
“I didn’t—” He bit his tongue as workers passed and then took a step closer to me so we wouldn’t be overheard. “I didn’t say it to be cruel.”
My eyes narrowed. “I truly don’t think you know how to be anything but.”
“Hey,” Isaiah said, stepping forward. “Watch it.”
I held his gaze steadily, completely unfazed at facing them both down. “You too.”
