The Alien's Revenge - Ella Maven Page 0,37

we can work on it. Practice every day. But not unless you’re up for it. Okay?”

He sat up and crossed his legs in front of him. He grabbed my hand and placed it on his throat. The scarred ridge rasped against my palm. He took a few deep breaths before saying, “Try.”

The light behind his aura shone determinedly, cutting through the thin layer of smoke.

“Okay, say your name.”

“Drak.”

“Say mine.”

“Merr-anda.”

“Say what you are.”

He didn’t answer, and his aura dimmed. He looked away from me, and the sadness in the downturn of his mouth made my heart skip.

“Drak, listen to me. You’re a Drixonian warrior.”

He blinked rapidly, his gaze still on the far wall.

“Say it,” I said.

Nothing.

This wasn’t okay. He didn’t need to speak for me, but he did need to stand up for himself, no, be proud of who he was. I refused to let him be ashamed of something he couldn’t even remember. I squeezed his throat and leaned closer. “Say it now, Drak. For me.”

Finally, his gaze swung to me. And though his aura trembled with anger and resentment, he opened his mouth and said in halting, broken syllables. “Drix—nian war—or.”

I rubbed my thumb along his scar. “Yes, you are. Remember that. Okay?”

“You,” he uttered as he tugged me into his lap. I straddled his hips as he nuzzled my cheek before resting his lips near my ear. “You … are … mah … light.”

I hugged him, loving the strength with which he held me in his arms. His tight embrace said more than words, but I had to admit it’d been damn nice to hear his words too. I was his light. No man in my life had ever said anything to me like that. I combed my fingers through his hair. “And you are mine.”

The door flung open and Drak stiffened, tossing me onto my back and throwing a fur up to my neck. I yelped with surprise. He rose out of the bed with a growl, machets out, unconcerned with his nakedness as a warrior filled the doorframe.

“Miranda!” Gar’s voice called from the outside. “Where are you?”

“I’m here!” I struggled to stand up and tripped over the fur wrapped around my body. I stumbled into Drak’s back and one of his bone blades nicked me in the hip. “Ouch!” I whimpered as the blade sliced through my skin like a sharpened knife.

I realized my mistake a second too late. Our only warning was a growl as bodies rushed into the room. Gar came at Drak with his fists out, but Drak was ready for him, clocking him in the jaw with a solid punch. Gar didn’t even flinch and slashed his claws across Drak’s chest. The scent of blood filled the air.

“Stop!” I screamed. The fur covering forgotten, I threw myself in front of Drak.

Gar pulled his punch at the last second, which was good because one of his blows would have caved in my face. He reared back with wide eyes and flared nostrils.

He stared at my nude body, gaze coming to rest on the cut marring my hip. “You’re injured.”

“I’m fine,” I barked at him. “When you guys ran in here without knocking, Drak rose to defend me on instinct. I jumped up and ran into one of his back spikes.”

Drak’s form at my back shifted, and his fingers ghosted over my hip. Retracting his machets quickly, he gathered me in his arms and sat on the pallet with me. He pressed a kiss to my cheek and vibrated his chest, seeking to soothe me. His expression was apologetic, and I patted his chest. “It’s fine. An accident. See? It’s already clotting.”

I turned a glare to Gar, who stood with Ward and Daz at his back. “Is it too much to ask to get in a quick turn with the cleanser and dressed first, and then you can barge in when we’re finished?”

“I’m sorry,” Gar began. “I—”

“You jumped to conclusions. Yes. I appreciate your concern for my well-being, but I promise Drak will not slice and dice me.”

Gar heaved a large breath and then turned and walked out the door. Ward followed him. Daz remained, a conflicted look on his face. “Knock when you’re dressed,” he said. “We have a lot to discuss today.”

“That we do, drexel,” I said.

His lips thinned when I used his title. It was honorific and respectful, but it also showed I meant business. With a nod, he turned on his heel and closed the door behind him.

Drak watched him