seems to think so, and after seeing him earlier, I’m inclined to agree. The jeqwa won’t lie to him, unless something is really fucked up.”
“So he’s not gay?” I couldn’t help the lilt of hope in my voice.
“Not even a little bit.”
I was very much relieved. “Can I feel this….”
“Jeqwa. And yes, I’m sure you’ll feel it—just not as strongly—when it spills onto you.”
“But you’re not telling him that I’m female—so what’s the difference if I hang around here or not?” I wanted to be calm but was finding it impossible. Could it be true that Dexx and I were meant to be together?
“Difference is, I’m not willing to fuck that up and it’ll work out in the end. It’ll go the way it’s supposed to go. But if you’re male, something got screwed up. Either that or his jeqwa is a real bitch.”
My stomach was tight, my heart beating hard with excitement. This man truly believed I was meant to be with Dexx Tavin. “She’s a real bitch either way,” I managed to say calmly, “because even though I’m not male, I grew up a street kid. And I have Drimuti blood, and he seems to hate the Drimuti.”
He nodded grimly. “There is that.”
“How do…” I cleared my throat. “What makes you think I’m his fated mate, anyway?” I tried to sound casual but was pretty sure I failed.
“Because I’m Craeshen,” he told me, then let go of my arm and nodded toward the icy cold stream waiting at the edge of the embankment. “And he’s Craeshen. When a Craeshen meets the other half of himself, he feels it with everything inside him. It roars to life, takes over our thoughts, and beats the shit out of us until we join with our lady—or our man if we’re born that way.” He shook his head, taking on a bemused look. “He was ready to kill Grathus for hitting you. I feel for the poor bastard.”
“The twinkle in your eye would suggest otherwise,” I said dryly, trying to delay the inevitable.
“Undress.” He glanced over his shoulder. “And hope none of the other guards get curious and come to join us.” He untied the bundle, then pulled out a huge blanket-like towel. He shook it out. “Get into the water.”
With a glare and a grumble, I ignored his chuckle and began to undress.
Chapter Ten
DEXX
I dipped my right hand into the cold water until the blood was washed away and my fingers were numb. I’d gone crazy with rage when Grathus had hit Krey. A huge Craeshen guard shouldn’t be beating on those smaller than him. I had needed to make sure it wouldn’t happen again. I was no longer sure of anything. I didn’t know if I should send them back to the city, back to their old lives, or if I should keep them here and let them enjoy a different life for a little while.
I couldn’t very well send Vihn back, because he was just too sick. But I could call Lexnor Medical Center and have them send a transporter for the boy. He needed the medical care that had been denied him his whole life. I could pay for it. I could pay for everything.
The only question was, why the fuck did I suddenly feel like I needed to? Sure, my jeqwa was going insane because it thought Krey was my mate, but now I’d decided they were both my responsibility?
They were nothing but lying, thieving, crafty little street boys.
“Shit,” I muttered. I was fucked up. When I returned to the city I’d have my doctors—my Craeshen doctors—give me a thorough looking over. They could tweak me, surely, and get the fucking boy out of my twisted brain. Even if he’d been a girl, that shit wouldn’t have worked.
He was too young, too stupid, too warped by the life he’d been forced to lead. He was not my kind of people. He was a motherfucking Drimuti. I should kill him, not want to…
I swallowed hard and refused to allow myself to even finish that thought. But when I closed my eyes, all I could see were big blue eyes, sweet, mysterious eyes that were like deep pools of sex, and I wanted to drown myself in them.
I slammed my battered knuckles against the ground, causing them to begin bleeding again, but the pain took my mind off Krey. And that was worth a little pain.
I stiffened when I heard a distant sharp cry and a splash, followed by