A moment later, Guldan finished speaking with him. Without waiting for him, I turned and walked back toward the house and around the front even though it was further from the training area. As much as I wanted to check on Leda, she asked for time alone, and I intended to give it to her.
My second-in-command followed me in silence. He knew me well enough to understand that this conversation would take place in the privacy of my office. No one else needed to hear what I had to say.
Once we were inside with the door shut, he walked to the center of the room and stood straight and tall with his hands behind his back. Waiting.
Now that we were alone, I was uncertain where to begin.
Finally, I spoke. “Do you realize what you have done by bringing Leda into the magistrate’s office to claim me as a potential mate?”
His eyes remained steady and calm on mine. “Yes.”
“You knowingly misled her so she would do what you wanted?” I asked.
Guldan nodded.
My fists clenched as anger rose within me. “You have put me in a delicate position.”
He cocked his head, studying me. “You are no longer in the holding cells, and it is unlikely you will face charges for attackingKaraj since he laid hands on a female you are pursuing. How are you in a delicate position?”
I stalked toward him, my hands still fisted at my sides. “Because I actually do want her to stay as my mate. Now that I have lied to her by not explaining what you convinced her to do, she will lose what little trust she has in me.”
“She cares for you. She will forgive you.”
I scoffed at his reply and found myself walking back toward my desk in order to pace in front of it. “I fear human females are not like daemons, Commander. They do not have the same instincts and urges as our females. She will be able to shut me out and cast me aside where a daemoness would not.”
His only reply was, “It will work out.”
Another scoff escaped me. “Have experience with matings do you?”
He shook his head. “Of course not. But I am also not an idiot. Even as she pulls away from you, she appreciates your touch. Your attention. She watches you and follows your lead, even though she does not trust you completely yet. Somehow, in a few short days, you’ve convinced the human that you are a decent, honorable male. That belief is already set in her mind. One small omission on your part will not destroy that belief.”
“I hope you are correct,” I sighed. “Because if she refuses to forgive me, I am uncertain I will be able to stop myself from blaming you. As unfair as that is.”
My commander shot me a knowing look. “That is to be expected, General.”
“You are dismissed,” I said, waving a hand at him.
The conversation was going nowhere, and I needed quiet to think.
He was almost to the door when I stopped him. “Guldan.”
The daemon paused, facing me.
“Do not do anything like that again. Leda is not to be manipulated or used for your own ends. Even if it is to help me or save my life. Her safety and happiness come first. Always.”
A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “You will be an excellent mate for her, General.”
“Go back to the men,” I snapped. “Before I remember how angry I am at you and decide to make an example out of you in the sparring ring.”
Though he schooled his expression carefully, I saw the glimmer of amusement in Guldan’s eyes. It tempted me to follow through on my threat immediately.
“Yes, General.”
As the door shut behind him, I wondered if the day could get any worse.
Unfortunately, it did.
Chapter
