“Never,” she said.
Asahi saw Nali look behind him and heard Darla approaching with their meal. He sat back and silently waited as the young manticore placed their dinner on the table. He murmured his thanks to her and waited until she left them alone before he spoke again.
“The mirror is too dangerous to use again. Somehow, the alien can connect with it,” he stated.
“I’ve warned Reese about the dangers. He, the other guards, and Pai will keep watch tonight. Pai and the manticores have excellent night vision. There is also the possibility of using the mirror to our advantage now that we are aware of the entity’s capabilities,” she countered.
Asahi nodded and began eating. The delicious flavor of grilled fish seasoned to perfection flooded his taste buds. Nali’s soft groan of pleasure covered his stomach’s growl of delight.
“This is delicious,” he commented.
She nodded. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was—or how tired,” she confessed with a rueful grin.
Chapter 9
Nali bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing at the myriad of emotions flitting across Asahi’s face. Kora had led them to the nicest room in the inn. Neither of them had expected the room to have only one enormous bed. It was obvious the manticore assumed they were together.
“I hope you’ll be comfortable, Empress. This was the last room available because of the Valley Festival that starts tomorrow,” Kora said with a slightly anxious note in her voice as she nervously wrung her hands together.
“It is perfect, Kora. Thank you,” Nali politely assured her.
Kora beamed and nodded. “Enjoy. I’ll have food packed for your journey tomorrow. Sleep well,” she said with a nod before backing out of the room.
Asahi looked at the bed before he scanned the room. She didn’t miss the way his eyes briefly lingered on the cushion in the window seat. She chuckled, walked over to him, and gently patted the center of his chest.
“Don’t even think of sleeping in the window seat or on the floor. We are both exhausted and mature enough to keep our hands to ourselves. We will need a good night’s rest if we are to stay strong and alert. I’m going to get cleaned up,” she stated.
She knew he was watching her when she grabbed the soft forest green silk robe that Kora had laid out at the end of the bed. She strode across the room and then paused at the door, looking at him with a sexy smile. Her heart hammered when she saw intense desire glimmering in his dark eyes.
“Of course, you could always wash my back if you want to save time,” she suggested rather provocatively.
Nali internally groaned. That was not what she had planned to say. She wanted to blame her ill-advised choice of words on the look in his eyes, but that would have been a lie.
“Be careful what you wish for, Nali,” Asahi warned, slowly advancing on her, his eyes never leaving hers.
She parted her lips and lifted her chin in a silent challenge. “Be careful what offers you accept,” she countered when he stopped in front of her.
He lifted his hand and caressed her cheek, then he tilted his head forward and paused. Their eyes locked, and she could sense the intense anticipation building between them. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his.
The robe in her hand fell to the floor. As she slid her hand up his arm to his neck, she caressed his bottom lip with her tongue. In one fluid movement, he grabbed her waist, pulled her into his arms, and deepened the kiss.
Their breaths mingled, becoming one, as their need for each other ignited a fire that could only be quenched with their union. She tilted her head back when he threaded his fingers through her long dark curls. He kissed her with his eyes open, and she did the same. A powerful wave of pleasure filled her when she noticed the play of emotions in his eyes as their tongues danced in a primitive mating ritual. She reluctantly ended the kiss to take a breath.
“Are you sure?” Asahi said, his voice raspy with desire.
Nali gave him a confident smile and slid one hand down between them to cover the telltale bulge pressing against her. He deeply inhaled and tilted his hips forward as he exhaled with a low groan. Excitement zinged through her.
“How do you like the water?” she purred.
“With you in it,” he murmured, placing another kiss on her lips.
Asahi couldn’t drag his eyes away