the wormhole wasn’t going to be easy, and the journey was fraught with potential dangers.
A blare of music made her startle before Gwarnon said, “Wave to the crowd. Our part is done.”
Smiling, she did just that, leaving the cheering masses behind, the crowds getting smaller and smaller as they left the Baladium and were transported back to Gwarnon’s ship for the first time since her match.
The moment they materialized on the transporter, a small cheer went up from the waiting crowd of men. Mostly Kadothian, they were all as handsome as a cover models for fitness magazines and were good men who were intensely loyal to Chel and Gwarnon. While some were more reserved, they’d all spent hours training her in their various forms of combat and had been genuinely friendly despite her—at times—snarly temper.
Blushing, Lacey raised a hand to quiet the men down as she smiled. “Thank you, thank you everyone. Without your help training me, Roxy and I wouldn’t have survived. So, thank you, all of you, from the bottom of my heart. Now, someone help me get this fucking ridiculous crown off my head.”
Gwarnon cocked his head as everyone laughed. “Do you not wish to wear it for our bonding ceremony?”
She winced slightly as Chel and one of Gwarnon’s crew began to remove the complex pins holding the crown in place. “I do, but first I want to get this business with my…winnings taken care of.”
“Of course,” Gwarnon said, his expression cooling as he mentally withdrew from their bond.
“Oh, stop that.” She smacked him lightly on his rock-hard stomach. “I just don’t want this pressing on my mind before we bond. I want to be able to enjoy our ceremony, and I can’t do that knowing I own people. I hate the very idea”
Giving her an odd look that was a mixture of pride and resignation, Gwarnon said, “There is an old saying among our people that good Matriachs do not rule their people as a Queen, but protects them as a Mother.”
She pointed at Gwarnon. “Exactly.” Chel removed the crown from her head, and she let out a long breath of relief. “Thanks.”
Nodding, Chel ran his fingers gently over her scalp, massaging lightly. “We understand your reasoning. Though I am as eager as my brother, I agree that I would not want to approach the Lord of Life with such thoughts crowding my mind.”
Relief flickered on Gwarnon’s face as he relaxed slightly. “This is true. Coming before the Lord of Life, asking for his blessing with such darkness in your heart, is not a good idea.”
Rubbing his lips over her forehead, Gwarnon said, “Come, let us get something to eat, and we will discuss how to best serve your people.”
Chapter 8
Gwarnon
Sitting back from the table, Gwarnon shifted in his chair, the intelligent surface massaging the tension out of his lower back.
If only it could do the same for his mind.
Logically, he knew that Lacey was correct and more than entitled to put off their bonding ceremony as long as she needed to. But his wounded mind and heart couldn’t help but wonder if she really did intend to bond them or not. Lady Roxy bonded her mates as soon as she could after the Baladium, an offer that was open to Lacey as well. But she’d turned it down then, saying she needed to focus on the fight ahead.
Watching her standing next to Chel while looking at the intelligent wall and its data, his heart constricted and he prayed with all of his might to the Lord of Life that she wouldn’t back out.
She must have sensed his thoughts or felt his gaze because she looked over her shoulder at him, a questioning tilt to one raised brow.
He merely shook his head with a smile, sending her a mental and emotional response letting her know he was fine.
She blew him a kiss before returning her attention to Chel and one of their men, Orushel, who was both a highly decorated Negotiator and a fellow spy for Lord Rell. Older than both Chel and Gwarnon, Orushel had deep auburn hair that turned silver at the tips and skin as pale as a cream fruit. Shorter than most Kadothian males, many had mistaken his small stature for weakness. Despite the size difference, Orushel was one of the strongest males Gwarnon knew, both mentally and physically.
Anxiety spiked through the bond from Lacey’s side and Gwarnon turned his attention to where his alyah stood with her fists on her hips.