12. Davon

Chapter 12

Davon

S eeing her sad and knowing I was the cause gutted me.

“I’m fine, Maggie. I promise.”

“You’re not.” The cloth dropped from her hand, and she lunged for me, pressing her tiny body against mine.

This female. She broke me and broke me and as long as she let me stay by her side, I’d put myself back together again and beg her to break me once more.

“I’m sorry he hurt you. It’s my fault,” she said against my tunic. Her arms wrapped partway around me; they’d never fit.

Even if we got free of this place, and she wanted to be with me—a miracle I didn’t dare beg the fates to give me—we would never fit together. She was much tinier than me. I’d do anything not to hurt her.

But I’d treasure her. I’d hold her. Braid her hair five times a day. Protect her and make sure she always had a reason to smile .

How could a male like me ever thank the gods enough for bringing her into my life?

I patted her back. “I’m truly alright. Please. You have a break from dancing, and I don’t want you spending it seeping water onto my chest or standing in a hallway with me.”

“Seeping . . .?” Confusion filled her voice. “It’s called crying.” Tipping her head back, she looked up at me. So pretty. So fragile. Yet she was incredibly strong. She’d make it through this even if I couldn’t be with her while she did it.

“I’ve only seen emotions displayed in this way once before.” Her sister, Talia. “You’re sad.”

“I’m not one to cry when I’m happy. See these?” She pointed to her cheeks. “My tears are falling for you. And don’t discount how good it feels when you hold me, even if I’m sobbing and we’re standing in a hallway.”

I was holding her. When had I allowed my arms to go around her? I lifted them away from her. “I’m sorry.”

“Are we back there again?”

I frowned. “Back where? We remain in the hall.”

She took my hand and tugged me toward the stairs. “You know what I mean. We were close to confessing feelings before Wortek made us go upstairs. Don’t think I’m going to let you off without spilling your guts.”

“You say the strangest things, human.”

“Stick with me, and one day, you’ll know what they all mean.”

We started up the stairs and it felt good to hold her hand, something I’d have to stop doing before the others could see us. It was vital we didn’t give anyone else the idea that I’d die to protect her.

“Stick . . .” My frown only deepened.

“You need to know right now that if you confess you like me, I’m going to plaster my body to yours every chance I get.”

“Plaster . . .” Truly, odd things.

At the top of the landing, we stopped in front of the closed door. Music throbbed beyond the panel, and shouts rang out, the crowd enjoying the evening. At least I wasn’t the only male working to keep them subdued. I also had a break for the rest of the night, though only to keep watch over Maggie. That was what Wortek stressed inside his office, that I was to make sure she didn’t get away and that no one damaged his property. And that I must make sure she was secure inside her room before dawn.

I reached for the knob, but she stilled my hand and turned me to face her, curling her finger my way. Leaning close, I waited for her to fret again about my face that didn’t pain me one bit. It was my heart that ached from being with my mate, and from the shame I felt that I hadn’t bitten off the king’s hands before they touched her.

She carefully cupped my jaw, and she kissed me.

The feel of her warm lips on mine made me unravel. I lost all ability to think, all ability to move. All I could do was drink from her mouth as if I’d strode across the desert for weeks without taking even one drop of water .

Oh, how I craved even this simple touch from this woman.

When her tongue teased across the seam of my lips, I went wild. There was no other way to describe my shameful actions. I lifted her, an easy thing to do since she was incredibly slight, and I pivoted to press her against the wall. I pinned her there with my body while my mouth devoured hers.

Overwhelmed with the press of her body against mine, I kissed her hard at first, my lips making demands of hers I had no right to. I'd starved for this female, and there would be no turning back. When she whimpered, I gentled my touch, savoring the taste of her mouth like a feral soul finally quenching the thirst that has lingered for an eternity. My heart pounded, bruising itself against my ribs, its rhythm echoing in my ears. It boomed in a way that drowned out all sound but the soft moans coming from this woman.

My woman if I dared believe I had the right to claim her.

Her small hands stroked my chest and shoulders, her touch sending shivers across my skin, making my muscles twitch with pleasure. Our breathing mingled, the sound of our kiss filling the quiet space around us.

I was completely lost in her, unable to control the desire flailing inside me. My cocks kicked up, pressing against the front of my pants, the smaller one vibrating at the tip. Could she hear it? I hoped not. And they ached. I ached with the need bursting through my skin. She’d brought out a craving no one else ever could. Despite my conscience telling me to hold back, to remember that I didn't deserve her, I couldn't help but want her with a fierceness that would stay with me until the day I died.

I was falling in love with her, slipping into the feeling as easily as dawn broke across my stark desert world. She was a dream I never wanted to end. I couldn't deny my feelings; I couldn't deny her.

My hand slid down her side, and I gently cupped her breast. It felt soft and pliable, both unusual and arousing. Her heart raced, the rapid beat thrumming through her skin, echoing my own. I supported her against the wall with my other hand below her ass, pulling her closer to me to make sure there was no space between us. Our bodies felt melded together, becoming one in our fierce passion.

I wanted this kiss, this moment, to last forever. I leaned into her, losing myself in the sensation of our lips meeting, our hearts beating together, the way her breast filled my hand so completely. The world disappeared and only we remained. Time stretched out, holding this single, perfect moment suspended in the air like a shimmering droplet of dew on a leaf within the prettiest oasis.

This kiss changed everything.

I would do anything, risk everything , to protect her.

Lifting my head, I watched her face, watched as the realization of what we’d done sunk into her. Would she snarl and tell me to leave her alone? I expected it. Deserved it. I braced myself, insisting that it wouldn’t matter if she rejected me as she should .

“Davon.” Her fingertips stroked along my jaw and down my throat. “You . . .”

“I’m sorry.”

“Why? Didn’t you like kissing me?” The vulnerability tightening her words hit me in the chest like a punch.

“I want you so much,” I croaked.

A hint of a smile teased across her mouth. “Then why aren’t you telling me that all the time?”

“Because you’re perfect. Worthy of someone much better than me.”

She shook her head. “Life’s too short not to grab onto whatever this is between us. Don’t throw us away. Please.”

“I don’t want to.” I lowered her gently to the floor and linked our fingers together. “But I’m scared.”

“So am I, but not so afraid that I won’t tell you what I’m feeling. Maybe it’s a mistake for me to fall for someone. I’m pretty much a prisoner, trapped in this bar. I’ll dance like a butterfly inside a cage until it breaks me. And then it and I will be over. But if I don’t grab onto this time with you to live, I’ll regret it. I hope you feel the same.”

So many emotions battled inside me. My need for this woman was unlike any other. The lash of my conscience told me I didn’t deserve the love of a mate. And my fierce need to protect her consumed everything else.

“I do feel the same,” I growled, stroking her face, her tiny shoulders. “I shouldn’t let myself feel this way, but I can’t hold myself back. ”

She smiled up at me. “Then let’s get out of this place and spend time together. I want to make some memories I can hold onto.”

For when she was back dancing inside her cage.

“We’ll break free,” I vowed. “I swear.”

“And that’s what keeps me going.”

Not wanting to give anything away, we separated. I opened the door and curtly gestured for her to step out into the bar. Knowing many eyes would track us, I guided her to the exit and outside. The guard on duty nodded to me, his gaze locking on her and remaining.

If only I had a weapon, but I’d been told I wasn’t allowed to wear one when I first arrived at the Veerenad wall. Veerenads could carry them but not visitors to their city.

“This way,” I said softly, leading her across the vacant road and around the building with the room I was renting. We waited in the shadows, me peering around the side of the building, watching to make sure we weren’t followed.

When no one left the bar or started this way, I took her hand and led her down the alley beyond my building. We kept going until we’d left the boom of the music behind, replacing it with soft calls ahead from those still selling wares in the market.

She squeezed my hand and smiled up at me, and I’d give the world, my heart, even the skin off my body as long as it meant she could be safe. No one wanted those parts of me, though.

Except, perhaps, her. Not my skin, but maybe my heart. I’d rip it out and hand it to her then, because I had nothing other than that to offer.

“These people are going to watch us,” I said as we stopped on the edge of the wide-open square half filled with Veerenads standing near tables covered with their items for sale. “They’ll report what they see to Wortek if they know him. They can’t miss us, a Zuldruxian and a human together.”

“Pretend you’re my bodyguard,” she said, her gaze locked on the items on display. “This is amazing. I didn’t know this place was here.”

Veerenads filled the market, some working while others strolled, making purchases. Many wore only vests while others wore nothing at all, their bodies covered in scaly armor that glinted in the light of our two moons. Their long, thick tails swished behind them with an easy, almost lazy grace that countered their quickness and strength. Snouts lined with sharp teeth yawned as they conversed with one another, their voices low and guttural.

“I can pretend,” I said.

“I can too.” Maggie walked around the perimeter of the market; her eyes wide with wonder as she took in everything. I followed close behind her, watching her reaction to everything while glaring at anyone who hinted they might come near. Other than the smiles she'd given me after our kiss, this was the first time I'd seen her smile without a hint of sadness or fear, and I was glad I'd insisted Wortek give her a break, glad I'd insisted on taking her here to get away .

As we approached one vendor, she stopped. The wares on display were some of the most beautiful I'd seen. Few in my clan bothered with possessions other than those we needed to survive in the desert. We found beauty in the bloom of a flower, the rage of a sandstorm in the distance, and in the glint of sunlight on an oasis. Tangible items carried little weight when you had to transport them from one location to another. A solid pan for cooking had more value than furniture or a painting someone might hang on a wall.

She stared at the brightly colored clothing and the vibrant jewelry, things a Veerenad female might long for. I watched as she admired one piece of jewelry after another, her fingers hovering over them before retreating, as if she couldn't bear to touch them.

One particular pendant caught her eye, a delicate chain holding a sparkling red gemstone that seemed to change colors as it caught the moonlight. Longing filled her eyes as she gazed at it, and before I knew what I was doing, I gestured to the vendor. He looked at me, then at the pendant, before nodding.

As she continued to examine the other items, I handed over a few coins, enough to cover the cost of the pendant. He wrapped it in a scrap of fabric and handed it to me. I concealed it in my hand. When we were free, I'd give it to her.

And if I dared, I'd ask her to share her life with me.

Perhaps even I deserved love.