Lacey's Warriors (Bondmates #6) - Ann Mayburn Page 0,11

before he touched her cheek. “May I scan you?”

Unwanted tingles of pleasurable anticipation filled her belly, but she whispered, “Sure.”

Warmth flowed from Chel as he placed his rough fingertips on her jawbone. His gaze grew distant for a moment before he focused on her again. “You need food and sleep. It appears the modifications done to you are all functioning properly, thank the Lord of Life for that. If it pleases you, we would be humbled if you would stay on our ship with us. We believe you will find it more comfortable.”

“Is that allowed? Won’t the NevShoo worry that I’ll get on your ship and flee?”

“No,” Gwarnon gave a humorless smirk. “Even the Lord of Life would not try to challenge the Baladium’s defenses. Once we entered their territory, we fall under their jurisdiction. It is one of the reasons Kadothians are forbidden from competing in the Baladium.”

Chel took a step back then offered her his hand to help her off the couch. She ignored it, scooting off the edge and trying to sidle past them. Warmth stirred in her belly as neither moved out of her way, electric lust snapping in the mere inches between their bodies. Just a little sway on her part would lead to her falling into their arms.

Firming her spine, she lifted her chin and said, “I would appreciate a room aboard your ship, if you have one. A private room.”

“Of course, you can have our quarters,” Chel said quickly, Gwarnon having gone back to his glowering silence.

“You don’t need to do that. I can sleep with Roxy. She’s going to be on your ship as well, right?”

“That will not be possible,” Chel said with a faint hint of pink to his cheeks. “She and her bondmates are celebraiting their reunion. I do not believe they would like to be disturbed.”

Her own blush warmed her cheeks as she mentally chastised herself for acting, literally, like a blushing virgin fresh out of bootcamp. “Understood.”

“Follow me,” Gwarnon said, walking away from her without a backward glance. “We will show you to your quarters.”

Chapter 2

Gwarnon

The door to their temporary rooms sealed shut behind him with a hiss, and Gwarnon fought with all of his might to keep from crumpling right there. Against all odds, he’d found his alyah, but she’d rejected them. Repeatedly, and with great vehemence. His heart had shattered into so many pieces, he feared he would never be able to retrieve them all from the dark pit of his depression.

Chel gripped him by his shoulders and spun him around so they faced each other. Reaching up, he gently traced his thumb over Gwarnon’s cheek then down to his jaw in a gentle stroke. He could feel the other man’s worry pouring through their bond, but couldn’t find the strength to reassure Chel. Not when he was barely holding on. He sank deeper into himself, shielding his emotions from the world, shielding himself from the relentless pain of living.

“No!” Chel suddenly shouted in his face. “Do not close off from me. Not now, not when there is finally hope.”

“Hope?” Gwarnon could barely speak as a hint of the seething emotions beneath the surface of his calm leaked through in that one word. “There is no hope. She rejected us.”

“No, she didn’t. Well, not entirely.” Chel gave him a gentle push in the direction of the couch. “Sit before you fall down.”

Gwarnon wanted to argue that he was fine, but Chel no doubt felt his weakness through their bond. “How can you say that? She was clear in her desire to not accept our bond.”

“I spoke at length with Lady Casey about the culture of her home world. She told me that Earth woman from the United States tend to be very guarded with their hearts. They usually like to be courted and prefer their regard earned rather than given. She emphasized that, as hard as it would be, we would need to give our Earth bride some time to get used to us. To earn her trust.” Chel began to unbraid his hair as he said, “Casey told me that it is not always safe to be a woman on their primitive home world. The Earth females are typically physically smaller than the males and untrained in battle. Without access to their dormant psychic powers, they are easy prey to the criminals of their planet.”

Gwarnon grunted in anger, but he held his tongue.

Chel sighed as he continued to stroke Gwarnon’s face, his touch soothing them