He clapped me on the back. “Veskor, go grab the rope. Alone is fine; I trust you. You’ve behaved.”
My heart lurched. “Alone?”
“Yes,” he said, already jog-walking after Nerissa. “Don’t make me regret it.”
My protests died on my lips as I was left alone for the first time since I’d arrived. Suddenly the air seemed too hot, and the bird calls in the trees too loud. I wasn’t supposed to be alone.
Not with anyone. Not anywhere.
Just do it quickly, and no one will know.
I should have just reminded Canavar I didn’t feel comfortable being alone yet, but I didn’t want to disappoint him or sound like a weakling. I would be quick and get it over with, hurrying back to him.
It was ridiculous. I was a warrior. A fighter from the pits. There was no way I was afraid to be alone.
Things are different now.
I swallowed hard and headed for the black rock line where steam drifted from the earth like sighing ghosts. The open mouths of the lava tube gaped at me like black mouths. I tried to ignore them and focus. The rope pile was right where Canavar said, coiled neatly at the entrance to the caves.
I bent to grab it and a hiss echoed through the chamber. A voice like smooth stone slid across my ears.
“Well, well. The stray.”
I froze.
Two pale silhouettes emerged from the shadows, their scales opalescent white, their eyes sharp as hot needles. Their wings curled like predatory sails.
Females. Unmated.
Suddenly I remembered. The lava tubes hid the reclusive female drakens! The ones I wasspecificallytold not to go near.
Just get what you need and get out. If someone catches you, tell them Canavar said it was fine.
It sounded cowardly, but it was my only recourse.
Benedict would kill me. Kieran would hold me down. Ronan might protest, but would that help when the other two were bigger? I clutched the rope in my hand and backed away slowly from them.
“He’s even taller up close.” Mara circled me once, tapping her chin. “And he really hasn’t tried to mate with anyone? Not even the witches?”
Yazmine snorted. “He smells like survival-mode. Instincts haven’t caught up yet. He’s spent so long trying to live he hasn’t had the ability to worry about a luxury likemating.”
I straightened, bristling. “I am not broken.”
Mara’s head tilted to the side, curious. “Why do the draklings trail after you like ducklings?”
I flushed. “I don’t know.”
Yazmine smirked. “He is protective.”
I turned to leave but Mara’s voice rang out. “Enya says you’re a good fighter.”
My stomach flipped, clenching. “No. I do not have to fight anymore. You can’t make me.”
Mara bounced on her toes. If she heard the desperation in my voice, she either didn’t recognize it or ignored it. “But I want to spar! Benedict and Kieran are the only males who will spar with me! I want someone new!”
“Absolutely not,” I rasped. “I’m not supposed to be alone with anyone. If I was caught fighting an unmated female?—”
“You’re not alone!” Yazmine said. “There’s two of us.”
