rage. “Shhh. I’m sorry. Let me ex—”
A slap landed hard across his jaw and stung like he’d upset a hive of adorable, angry little bees.
Kira looked at him like he’d started foaming at the mouth. She tore away from him and hissed, “Touch me again and I’ll kill you!”
“I won’t, I swear.” Ryon backed away with raised hands. “It was just so you wouldn’t blow my claim. If you got a room by yourself, Sylendrin would have attacked you in the night.” Or sooner. The slimy silver hairball had been looking at her like she was a honey-drizzled sweet roll.
“If you think I’m going to share a room with you, you are insane.” Kira wiped her trembling lips and pointed to the door. “Get out.”
Ryon cringed. Well, any shot he had with her was gone. Not that there had been one in the first place.
“I’m not going to try anything, I swear. I’ll sleep on the floor; it’s just to protect—”
“I said to get out.” Kira’s eyes misted, and her finger shook as she pointed to the door.
Ryon softened his voice. “Listen, I’m sorry. You have to understand—the Emberhawk culture is not like yours. Women are not treated well. Saying that we’re married is the best way to keep him away from—”
“So you did all of this from an assumption?” A tear fell as Kira stared with a wrath that could conquer worlds. “Am I just some plaything to be passed between men?”
“No, I don’t—”
“Get out!”
Ryon turned, strode out, and closed the door behind him. The hall was empty, silent, and sterile.
He stood still, trying to control the urge to explain until she understood. Well, now she’ll definitely kill me in my sleep.
Okay, so maybe he hadn’t chosen the best course of action, but the hunger in Sylendrin’s eyes and the memory of what his sister had endured urged Ryon to not take any chances with Kira’s wellbeing. Or that of any young woman. Maybe she was too blind to see it, but Sylendrin clearly wanted her. And thanks to Ryon’s injury, the predator would already think him weak.
But now she thinks I’m the predator. Just the thought of it filled him with disgust and righteous vitriol. Well, if it’s either me kissing her or Sylendrin doing whatever he pleases to her, I’d rather her hate me a little more and return her safely to Tekkyn, as promised.
Worst of all, he’d enjoyed it. Certainly not forcing it upon her, but he couldn’t deny the energy that had buzzed through him and still lingered on his lips.
Ryon took a deep breath as he started down the hall. He’d never been the bad guy before, unless a little stealing counted. If Kira thought he was the type of man who could . . .
He shuddered as guilt squirmed into him. His father had raised him not to be like his uncle or his cousin or their grandfather. Or most of the other men in their former tribe.
And he’d find some way to prove it to Kira, even though they’d get to Jadenvive in a matter of days and never see each other again.
“Lover’s quarrel?”
Ryon jolted to a stop and realized that his musing had taken him back to the stairs that led to the pyramid’s main room. Sylendrin lounged on a smooth, curved tree trunk and smirked at him. “You two must be newlyweds.”
Ryon nearly denied it despite his strategy. He cleared his throat. “I might as well have married a screech bat.”
“I’m sure leading her through d’hakka territory didn’t help.” Sylendrin smirked and cocked an eyebrow. “It’s rather odd for an Emberhawk to take a foreigner as a wife.”
Ryon glared. “It’s not odd for a Katrosi. What are you implying?”
“Oh, nothing, of course. Everyone knows that Malo women are beautiful.” Sylendrin plucked a maroon fruit from the vine over his head, pulled a knife from his boot, and carved into the thick flesh. “And she is no exception.”
Ryon’s blood heated. “I’d appreciate it if you kept your eyes to yourself.”
“Just a compliment. You’re a lucky man. Assuming you can control her.” Juice snaked down Sylendrin’s arm, and he licked it up. “You look familiar. Have we met before?”
Sudden panic flared through Ryon. “Not unless you’ve spent time in the Katrosi prison.”
Sylendrin clicked his tongue. “So hostile. We haven’t been at war in years, you know.” He sucked pink juice from the fruit, then sliced deeper. “If it’s because of your wife, don’t worry. I would never sleep with a muddy.”
Ryon cringed