Retribution (Kall Alien Warriors #3) - Sue Lyndon Page 0,41

beating. General Zamek had ceased swinging the strap much sooner than she’d expected, and he’d also appeared remorseful, even a bit startled, as if his own actions had stunned him.

He’d brought her a blanket and pillow and even healed her back. He’d stroked her hair and sat with her for a while, his sudden gentleness soothing her.

It was difficult to reconcile his scary side with his soft side. Would the scary side ever come out again? She reminded herself that he’d promised never to beat her with an implement in the future. Would he keep this promise?

Footsteps sounded outside the bathroom and she tensed.

“Layla?” The general’s deep voice reached her.

Not wanting him to find her huddled on the shower floor like a coward, she jumped to her feet and exited the bathroom. Her heart skittered at the sight of him, standing so tall and confident in the middle of her cell. But her stomach bottomed out when her gaze fell to his weapons’ belt, which contained a sword, battle-ax, and at least five knives.

He headed for her and she backed up toward the bathroom, her blood running cold. Why was he carrying so many weapons? Had he had a change of heart concerning her?

Maybe she’d truly angered him with her reluctance to become his mistress and now he was here to fulfill the act of retribution.

But he quickly paused and gave her a concerned look.

“Layla? Why are you so afraid?” He inhaled deeply and she suddenly remembered that he could smell her fear.

“We-we had an argument the last time we spoke,” she whispered, “and-and you’re wearing all those weapons and…” She lowered her gaze and realized her hands were shaking at her sides. Her throat clogged with emotion and she couldn’t form another word.

Zamek’s shadow moved back, and she heard him leaving her cell. Relief spread through her, but she was still confused as hell. She chanced a look up. He was standing outside her cell, carefully removing every last weapon from his belt. He also pulled two knives from his boots. He placed all the weapons on the floor of the corridor and then reentered her cell.

“I have not come to harm you, human.”

She couldn’t be certain, but she thought she saw hurt reflecting in his eyes.

“Well, that is a relief,” she said, placing her hand against the wall. Her legs felt so weak from her recent fright that she feared she might collapse.

“There was a battle,” he said, walking closer. “I’ve just returned from boarding an enemy ship, that is why I was wearing so many weapons, little human. Please don’t think I would ever use them on you.” A note of anguish threaded his voice. “I made you a promise, and I intend to keep it.”

She swallowed hard and nodded, though she couldn’t seem to stop shaking. “You haven’t visited for two days, General Zamek, and I’m afraid my imagination might’ve gotten the best of me. And then when you showed up looking like that, well, for one brief moment, I feared the worst was going to happen.”

He rushed forward and took her in his arms. “The last two days have been empty and dark. I was a fool to stay away from you, human.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, then swept her up in his arms.

Chapter 15

Zamek carried Layla through the corridors of the Tammusha, ignoring the stares of his warriors. She was shaking in his arms and his only care at the moment was making her feel safe. He headed for his quarters, deciding he would deal with the consequences of his actions later.

It was one thing to secretly keep Layla as his mistress within the privacy of his own home, but to bring her to his quarters aboard his warship? That would undoubtedly set tongues wagging. If the High Council received word of his actions, he very well might be demoted from the rank of general.

His spirits sank when he recalled Layla’s immense look of fright, as well as the coldness of her terror that had filled his nostrils, when he’d arrived in her cell only moments ago. She’d taken one look at his weapons’ belt and feared the worst. Hurt resonated inside his chest that she hadn’t trusted him not to hurt her. Had she really believed he’d shown up to take her life?

He hoped that by bringing her to his quarters, where they would be able to spend more time together, as well as share a bed nightly, would help