he started to lower his head towards her, another Cire warrior appeared.
“Chief Inzen, I was informed that you had returned. Was your trip successful?”
The warrior who joined them was as large as Inzen but had the smoother skin and small ridges that indicated youth amongst the Cire. A terrible scar ran down his face and onto his chest, leaving one eye milky white.
“Yes, Sentu. It was most successful. This is Jade, my mate and the mother of my daughter.”
The young warrior courteously bowed his head. “I am pleased to meet you, mate of Inzen.” He hesitated. “Have you made your residence with Cassie—with the other members of Inzen’s family?”
Interesting. His tone had definitely changed when he mentioned Cassie’s name, and she shot a quick glance up at Inzen to see if he noticed. Since he was scowling at the other male, she suspected that he had.
“Yes, we’re living in the cottage at the back. Maybe you could join us for dinner one night.” She heard Inzen growl softly and felt his tail tighten around her waist so she hurried on. “I mean with the whole family, of course.”
“I would be most honored. That is, if you would permit me to join you, Chief Inzen.”
For a dreadful moment, she thought Inzen was going to refuse, then he nodded his head. “That would be acceptable. Did you wish to see me about anything else other than wrangling an invitation to dinner?”
The young male’s shoulders went back and he spoke stiffly. “I had hoped that we could train together but if it is inconvenient—”
Some of the tension left Inzen’s body and he looked down at her. “You will stay with Lily while we train? We will be in that room so she—so you can see us.”
He pointed across the hallway to a wide doorway that led into an empty room with padded mats on the floor. A set of matching doors on the far side of the room opened onto one of the interior courtyards.
“That’s fine. I’m happy to stay with her.”
“I will prepare,” Sentu said eagerly as he turned away. As he headed down the corridor, she noticed that he had a definite limp.
“I do not like your eyes on another warrior,” Inzen growled.
“You can’t possibly think I’m interested in him.”
“Because of his injuries?”
“No, you jerk.” She glared up at him. “Because he’s obviously too young for me, because he’s obviously interested in Cassie, and because I’m mated to you.”
His tail stroked her arm. “I apologize, my letari. Sometimes my instincts lead me astray. I do not like you watching other males. Or asking them to share a meal. I do not even like them close to you.”
Okay, that should not have been as hot as it sounded. She was a strong, independent woman. Sternly ignoring the pleasant tingle of excitement in her stomach, she tried to keep a stern face, but his apologetic look faded and he tugged her closer.
“Perhaps you do not mind my instincts,” he murmured.
“Only under certain circumstances.”
Her voice sounded breathless even to her own ears. The hard peaks of her nipples rubbed against his chest and she didn’t pull back. Despite everything that had been happening, she had missed being with him.
The sound of male voices came from behind him, and he reluctantly stepped back. “Perhaps we can discuss this later.”
“Perhaps.”
She traced a teasing finger down his chest before she returned to the office. He groaned and went to change while she settled comfortably in his oversized chair. A few minutes later, he and Sentu reappeared in the room across the way. He was wearing the brief shorts that he had worn on the ship and a tight-fitting shirt that showed off every muscle. Oh my. She remembered what it was like to touch every inch of that impressive body, and her lingering arousal spiked again.
Sentu wore a similar outfit, and she could see that his muscles were just as impressive, despite a wicked scar that ran the full length of one leg. What had happened to the young warrior?
The two males began the same exercises that Inzen had shown her on the ship but moved through them with astonishing speed. She could tell that Sentu didn’t have the same fluidity to his movements, but he never hesitated. When they finished the final position, they turned to face each other.
Both males bowed, and then Sentu’s foot lashed out and the bout began in earnest. They were better matched than she had anticipated. The younger male was surprisingly