from what happened to Akhalt, what almost happened to Petralt…”
How could she argue when she knew how important it was to him to be able to prevent something like his brother’s death from happening again? She took a deep breath and ran her hands up his muscular chest to the broad width of his shoulders, taking comfort in his strength.
“All right then.” She forced a smile. “At least maybe now you can shut down Madam Kitula.”
The brothel owner had been to see them twice already, demanding Mei’s return, and Izzie had despised her more each time. It had only taken a short time in Mei’s company before Izzie had realized that the girl was as sweet as she appeared and totally unsuited for that line of work.
“I’m afraid prostitution isn’t illegal.”
“Selling your daughter to pay a debt should be,” she said indignantly. Mei’s father had done just that, which was how Mei had ended up in Port Eyeja.
“It should,” he agreed, and she sighed.
“What are we going to do? Petralt will never give her up, but Madam Kitula seems equally determined.”
Laughter danced in his eyes. “Petralt has decided to take Mei back to the caves with him.”
“Really? What happened to the excitement of the port and wanting to expand his horizons?”
“I suspect finding a mate is excitement enough for him. I know it was for me.”
She rewarded him with a kiss that got rapidly out of hand, and she was breathless by the time he finally lifted his head. For someone who had never kissed before, he had certainly mastered the art. From the gleam in his eyes, he intended to do more than just kiss her, but she was determined to get the full story first.
“Where are they going to live? Didn’t you tell me he didn’t have a family cave?”
“He doesn’t. I invited him to share ours—if it’s all right with you, of course.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. There’s plenty of space, and we’re hardly there. It doesn’t seem like Zemma is going back anytime soon either.”
The tribe had not been as accepting of Strax as they had been of Izzie. Perhaps it was because of the already limited number of females, but Zemma’s announcement that she intended to mate with Strax had been met with cool disapproval.
When Njkall had promised to speak on her behalf, Zemma had simply shrugged. “I hope that will change with time. At least they haven’t banned us. For right now, we’re going to live in Port Eyeja anyway.”
With a little help from Baralt, Zemma was officially opening a small jewelry shop. She and Strax would be living above it.
“As long as I still have my family,” Zemma had continued, “I don’t care what the rest of the tribe thinks.”
“You will always have us,” Izzie had assured her.
Now she gave an exaggerated sigh. “Petralt’s moving out. Zemma’s moving out. It’s just going to be the two of us. All alone in this big house. Whatever are we going to do?”
Baralt’s eyes gleamed. “There are some advantages to having the house to ourselves.”
“There are?” she asked innocently. “I can’t think of any.”
“If I need to see my mate’s beauty, there is no one around to stop me.”
He reached out and flicked a claw across the top of her blouse. The fabric fluttered to the ground, leaving her breasts exposed, her nipples tight with excitement. His gaze traveled over her, leaving a trail of heat behind.
She stroked a provocative finger along her lower lip. “Did you just want to look at me?”
“Oh no. I intend to kiss and lick and worship every inch of you. And no one else will hear you when you cry out my name, when you beg me for more, when you bathe my kotra in your sweetness.”
A trickle of liquid heat slid down her thigh. He wasn’t even touching her, and her body was on fire with longing.
“You’d better get started,” she whispered. “That might take a while.”
“All day,” he agreed. “Or even all year. The rest of our lives, even. I love you, Isabel.”
“I love you too.” She put her hand on his chest, loving the familiar feel of silky fur over firm muscle. “Thank you for saving me.”
“You saved me too. You brought me home.” He touched her cheek. “You are my home.”
And then his eyes heated, and he swept her into his arms before he proceeded to make every one of his promises come true.
Epilogue
Three months later…
Baralt didn’t bother to call out when he entered their home—he already