Kyler's Justice (Assassins of Gravas Book 3) - N.J. Walters Page 0,56

cleanser on, this time making sure they were both clean before carrying her to his big bed.

She immediately rolled onto her side and curled her legs upward. Exhaustion dragged her toward sleep. The mattress dipped slightly. Strong arms wrapped around her, offering warmth and protection. When he pressed his lips to her hair, her eyes filled with tears. She refused to let them fall.

“I’m sorry.”

Shocked by the apology, she remained still and kept her breathing even, not that she truly believed she was fooling him. Kyler was too aware, too well trained to be deceived. It wasn’t much in the scheme of things, but to a man like him, it was huge.

“Lights off,” he instructed the computer. When the room went dark, she stiffened slightly. “Baseboard lights on,” he amended. A row of dim bulbs began to glow along the edge of the floor.

“Why?” she asked without turning to face him.

“Because you prefer it.”

That he’d noticed the lights in her bedroom didn’t surprise her. There was little that slipped by him. She waited for him to ask why, but the question never came. “Don’t you want to know why?”

“Only if you wish to tell me.” He nuzzled her temple, his breath warm on her skin.

“I never felt safe.” The truth made her chest ache. There’d never been a time in her life she’d felt secure enough to sleep in the dark. She took a deep breath and continued. “The dark was often used as punishment.” Those times were over, and she was no longer a child. “Turn them off.”

“You’re sure?”

She nodded, still facing away.

“Lights off.” Safe in Kyler’s arms, the darkness wrapped around her like a blanket. She waited for the fear and unease to creep in. It never came. With a ragged sigh, she gave in to exhaustion and slept.

Chapter Fourteen

“Are we there yet?”

Etta smothered a laugh as Maggs asked Kyler the question for about the hundredth time. The days that had passed since their escape from Mortis had been the best of her life. Her sisters were changing before her very eyes, becoming more animated and less guarded.

Fear had kept them self-contained for too many years.

And for the first time in memory, she could breathe without worrying about looking over her shoulder for fear of her brother or Helldrick. A huge weight was gone from her. She was sleeping well, too. And it was all due to the man who was taking her to face Gravasian justice. The irony wasn’t lost on her.

“Not yet,” he replied, patiently. The man seemed to have an endless supply when it came to the girls. “Another day.” His jaw tightened a mere fraction. Even a week ago, she might not have caught the telltale sign. As much as he pretended otherwise, he was worried.

The novelty of traveling on a spaceship had faded, but the girls weren’t bored. They were used to amusing themselves, and Kyler had given them unlimited access to books, as well as educational programming.

He’d even turned the cargo bay into a glorified playroom, allowing them to run and jump and dance and be as active as they chose. Again, he’d set up a portable viewing screen that allowed them to take dance lessons or explore various martial arts classes appropriate to their ages.

He’d make a wonderful father.

Regret pierced her heart that it wouldn’t be her who’d share that with him. It wasn’t exactly fatalistic, but realistic.

“Don’t be sad.” Sera stood beside her chair and patted her arm.

“I’m not, sweetheart.” She hugged her sister. “I’m just thinking.”

“You’re worried.” Sera was far too observant for her age. Or maybe it was her emerging abilities that made her that way. The more they’d talked during the trip, the more both girls had opened up about things they experienced and their dreams. There was no denying they had psychic ability.

As much as she hated to do anything to add to her sister’s burdens, she couldn’t put off this discussion any longer. “When we reach Gravas, you’ll be safe.” She didn’t want any doubts in Sera’s mind about that.

Her green eyes were solemn, her golden skin paling slightly. “But you won’t be.” She shot Kyler and accusing glare.

Etta cupped her sister’s face and brought it back around to her. “It’s not his fault. I did something I shouldn’t have.” Gods, it hurt to have to admit this. “It hurt someone. There are consequences for actions.”

Sera studied her intently. “You did it for us, didn’t you?”

Her first instinct was to deny it, but she refused