Hanna and the Hitman - Honey Phillips Page 0,54
rocks, similar to the bathing cave back on Hothrest. Instead, she was confronted by a cascade of water at least fifty feet tall pouring down a sheer cliff in a thunderous plume. At the base of the falls, a large pool framed by massive boulders glistened pale green.
“This is beautiful. A little overpowering but beautiful.” She gave him a teasing smile. “I don’t think we’ll be showering under that.”
“Perhaps not. But the pool is safe to swim in.”
“What? No lurking dangers?”
His smile turned predatory. “Not unless you consider a Pardorian in search of a tempting, little morsel dangerous.”
“Very dangerous,” she whispered, swaying toward him. To my heart most of all.
He caught her in his arms and kissed her until she was limp and clinging helplessly to his broad shoulders.
“Is that the correct procedure for a pick nick?” he asked when he lifted his head.
“You forgot the part about eating,” she said breathlessly. His eyes heated even more, but to her disappointment, he reached for his bag and proceeded to lay out a blanket and the food he’d brought. With effortless ease, he even started a fire and set the ynaah tubers to roast.
“You’ll have to show me how to start a fire that quickly.”
“Of course, my mate. Would you like me to show you now?”
“That’s all right. We have plenty of time.”
She stretched out on the blanket, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her body and listening to the sounds of the jungle. She could already pick out the cry of a huja bird and the soft chittering of one of the insects that Aidon had shown her. Still trying to identify the other noises, she drifted off to sleep.
Aidon smiled as he looked down at his sleeping mate. Her pale skin and flaming hair contrasted sharply with the muted hues of the jungle, but she looked so right lying there—like a beautiful, exotic flower. A vast contentment filled him. Most of it was undoubtedly due to her presence, but he wondered about her earlier words. Was she right that he felt at home here? It was certainly true that he felt a certain element of ease in the jungle. Yes, danger lurked around every corner, but he knew those dangers, knew what to expect. Whenever he was away from Pardor, he was always on alert, always braced for unknown trouble.
Even when he was most angry about being forced to return, something inside of him relaxed as soon as he entered the skies above Pardor.
Still turning over her words, he left her sleeping and went to the edge of the pool before using his claws to fish for the small, delicious lake dwellers that skittered through the shallow water. Hanna would enjoy them.
By the time she awoke, he had them cleaned, spitted, and roasting over the fire.
“That smells wonderful.” Her cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry I fell asleep.”
“I’m not. You look most delightful when you’re sleeping. I was very tempted to join you.”
Wordlessly, she held out a hand, but before he could respond to the invitation in her eyes, he heard her stomach give a soft grumble.
“I will feed you first.”
They feasted on the roasted tubers and the delicate white flesh of the lake dwellers, along with the variety of cooked grains he had brought with him.
“Um, that was delicious. You’re an excellent cook, Aidon.”
Pardorians did not blush, but he suspected that if he had been in another form, color would have risen to his cheeks. When had anyone ever praised him for anything other than his ability to quickly eliminate an enemy?
“As long as it pleases you, I’m happy.”
She extended her hand again, and he lay down next to her, the two of them looking up at the vivid blue sky above the distant tops of the trees.
“What did you do at night?” she asked, her voice soft and lazy.
“What do you mean?”
“When you were here on Pardor before. I know you didn’t go to your village. Did you ever go to the city?”
“Only when I needed supplies.” He barked a laugh. “My grandfather would have been appalled. He may use technology when he has to, but he believes in the old ways. He taught me that anything we needed would be provided by the jungle.”
“What did you need that the jungle couldn’t provide?”
“Information, primarily, but I’ll admit I do have a taste for a few off-world items.”
He rolled over onto his side, lazily picking at the knot that held her brief garment together. Her nipples puckered beneath the