Chapter 29

CHAPTER 29

Lomax

“A re you sure you’re okay?” Madison’s hologram was crystal clear, allowing me to see the worry on her face.

“I am. Just,” I glanced at the closed door to Regan’s bedroom, “worried that I’ll be caught talking to you.”

“Did you put the device on your phone before you called me?” Madison asked.

“Yes, “I said, flipping my PAR phone over to stare at the slim black rectangle attached to the back.

“Then the IT person in the castle won’t be able to track your call to me,” Madison said reassuringly.

“It was kind of brilliant to use Eastolf’s technology against him,” I said.

“Well, technically, it’s the Vokine’s technology, but yes, it was brilliant of Bitta to suggest we use it for you,” Madison said.

“How is Bitta?” I asked, eager for news about everyone at the western castle.

“He’d doing well.” Madison studied me closely. “Are you certain you’re okay?”

“Yes,” I said. “I’m a little lonely, but it’s only been three days, and Regan has been busy with the guard, and I haven’t left his apartment.”

“I’m worried for you,” Madison said.

“I know and appreciate that, but I promise Regan will keep me safe.”

“I wish you guys had just stayed here.”

I felt the same way, but I wouldn’t admit it. Not when I knew how worried Regan was that I already regretted my decision to come with him. I knew Madison wouldn’t say anything to Regan, but it was better not to admit to even a hint of homesickness for Quill’s home.

“I’m not in any danger,” I said.

“You are,” Madison said. “Anyone close to Eastolf is in danger.”

“Regan will keep me safe,” I repeated.

She sighed. “I know. I’m just a worrier when it comes to my friends. Which is why I’m insisting you text me every week that you’re fine, okay? I know you’re worried about hologramming and being overheard, but the device will also scramble your texts. So, send me at least one text every week. If I don’t get it, I’ll send the calvary for you.”

I smiled, tears pricking at my eyes. “You’re the best, Madison.”

“I mean it, honey. If I haven’t heard from you by the end of each week, I’ll assume you’re in danger.”

“I’ll send you an ‘I’m perfectly fine’ text every Friday by six,” I said. “How’s that?”

She grinned. “That works for me, and thank you for indulging me, Lomax.”

“Honestly, it makes me feel good knowing there’s someone out there other than Regan who cares about me,” I said.

“You have many people here who care about you,” she said. “We miss you.”

“I miss you too,” I said. “I should go, though. Regan will finish work soon, and we’re eating in the dining hall for the first time tonight. He says a few of the Draax who are mated eat in the dining hall, and I’m hoping to meet their mates.”

“Good luck,” Madison said. “And remember, send me an ‘everything is okay’ text on Friday.”

“I will.” I ended the call, and Madison’s hologram disappeared. My phone made a soft whirring sound, and the device fell off the back of my phone. I scooped it off the bed and hid it in my underwear drawer before leaving the bedroom.

Compared to his room at Quill’s castle, Regan’s apartment was massive, with a separate bedroom, a good-sized bathroom, and a window with a spectacular view of the surrounding forest outside the castle. Unlike the western kingdom, which overlooked the province's largest city, Eastolf’s castle was more isolated, with the nearest city an hour away by ship.

His apartment wasn’t falling apart like so much of the castle seemed to be, and I suspected that it was only because Regan had repaired it himself. It was just as cold as the rest of the castle, though, and I was thankful that Regan was so hotblooded and didn’t mind that I glued myself to his side whenever we were together.

I glanced at the time before pacing the room. Despite my loneliness, I still had no regrets about my decision. I loved Regan and couldn’t imagine not being with him.

The knock on the door made me jump in surprise, and I cupped my elbows nervously as I contemplated whether I should answer the door. I glanced at the bedroom as a new thought hit me. Maybe the device hadn’t worked after all?

Another knock, and I took a deep breath, annoyed at myself for my sudden nerves. I was the mate of the head of the guard, and I would damn well act like it. Hiding away like a scared mouse had never been my style anyway.

I marched across the room and opened the door, smiling stiffly when I saw Noka and another Draax standing in the hallway.

“Hello, female. May we come in?” Noka asked.

“Regan isn’t here,” I said.

“It is not Regan we wish to speak with.”

“Fine. Come in,” I said.

I backed away, and Noka and the other Draax stepped into the apartment. I ignored my feeling of trepidation when Noka closed the door.

“Human, this is Casto, the king’s kadana. Casto this is,” Noka paused, “I am afraid I do not remember your name, human.”

“Lomax,” I said.

“Right. A strange name,” Noka said.

“Yeah, because Noka is a normal name,” I said.

Casto made a low chuckle, and Noka glared at him. Casto just shrugged. “Regan’s little female is funny.”

“Thank you,” I said. “What can I do for you?”

“You need a tracking and identification chip. Casto is here to administer it,” Noka said. “It is a mandatory clause of the treaty between the Draax and the humans, and if you refuse, you will be returned to Earth regardless of how Regan feels about you.”

It took everything in me not to touch the spot on my left arm where Sigan had chipped me. I’d forgotten about it, and they hadn’t removed it when I left the western province. But it wasn’t like I could tell Noka I’d already been chipped, so I wordlessly pushed up my right sleeve and held out my arm.

Casto swiped some antiseptic on my arm before examining the mole I had on my upper arm. “This is a large freckle.”

“It’s a mole, not a freckle.”

“I thought the brown dots were called freckles.”

“They are. Humans have moles and freckles,” I said.

“What is the difference?” he asked.

“Moles are raised bumps and usually darker than the flat freckles.”

He ran his thumb over the mole. “Interesting. You have more hair on your arms than Wallen’s mate. She is pregnant and comes to the infirmary every week for examination.”

“She probably had hers lasered off,” I said. “Lots of women on Earth get all of their body hair removed. I’ve only had my legs, armpits, and bikini line done.”

“Why do they do this?” Casto asked.

“Casto,” Noka snapped, “inject the human and let us go.”

“Your impatience will not make me move faster, Noka,” Casto said. “The more I learn of the little females, the better it is for all of us.”

I hid my grin as Noka made a loud harrumph behind us. Casto reminded me a little of Sigan with his manner and bluntness. Maybe it was a kadana thing.

“This will pinch, little human,” Casto said before sliding the needle into my arm below the mole. He removed it and momentarily pressed a piece of gauze on it before running a flat silver box over my arm and reading the screen. He nodded in satisfaction and stepped back. “It is working.”

“Good.” Noka had his tablet in his hand. “What is your last name, Lomax?”

“Why?” I asked.

“I need it for the identification record,” he said.

“Anders,” I said.

He tapped something into his tablet before looking at Casto. “We are finished here.”

“Goodbye, human. It was nice to meet you,” Casto said.

“You too.” I followed them to the door, shutting it behind them before rubbing at my arm.

* * *

Regan

I walked the perimeter of the training room, studying the guards as they sparred. Their heavy grunts echoed in the room, which smelled of blood, sweat, and steel. Was it odd that the only scent that soothed me more than the ones in this room was my mate’s?

Perhaps, but my life was the guard, and despite my worries for Lomax, returning to my duties as head of the guard eased my restlessness.

So does Lomax.

I smiled inwardly. Yes, she did, and that I was so lucky to have a supportive mate and a job I loved was not something I would ever take for granted.

I turned my attention back to the sparring Draax. Delkin, one of my best warriors, fought a recruit named Veron. As I watched, Delkin lunged and, with a twist of his sword, knocked Veron’s out of his hand before slicing him across the ribs.

Veron backed away, one hand clamped across his bleeding side and his tail drooping. I could see the fear on his face as Delkin advanced toward him. No doubt to give him another slash of his sword, a harsh lesson for allowing his to be taken from him.

I grimaced inwardly. I had no one to blame but myself for Delkin’s actions. I had taught the guard to punish recruits for their mistakes. But now, after seeing how Galan treated his guard, how they respected him, and how they respected me for treating them with kindness, I was ashamed of my teaching techniques.

Then change it.

I stepped between the two Draax. Delkin lowered his sword immediately. “Regan, what is wrong?”

“Stand down, Delkin,” I said.

“The recruit needs to be taught what happens when he gives up his sword so easily,” Delkin said in confusion.

“He does, but not in the manner which we have always done. There are better ways.”

Delkin’s confused look deepened as I picked up Veron’s sword and handed it to him.

“I am sorry, Regan,” Veron said, the fear still evident in his voice.

I understood why he was afraid. He’d only joined the guard a few weeks before I was stranded on Earth, but I had not treated him well in that brief period. Swallowing down my shame, I smiled at him. “It is fine, Veron. You are still learning.”

He blinked at me as Delkin made a sound of surprise.

“Do you know why Delkin could disarm you so quickly?” I asked.

Veron shook his head, and I took my sword from its sheath and gripped the handle. “Your grip is too far from the guard, leaving you no protection for your hand. Delkin knew this and took advantage of it, striking your hand and forcing you to let go. If you grip higher like this,” I moved my hand up, “the guard will protect you from your opponent’s strike.”

I stepped back. “Try again with the different grip. Delkin, repeat your attack, please.”

Delkin nodded, and I watched as the two men fought again, blood soaking through Veron’s shirt and dripping onto the floor. Delkin repeated the move, and Veron grinned happily when the blade glanced off the guard, and he didn’t lose his grip on his sword.

I held up my hand, and Delkin backed off as Axen joined us. I turned to Veron. “You see? It is all in the grip.”

“Yes,” Veron said with another happy grin. “It made a difference, Regan.”

I studied his side before clapping him on the back. “Go to the infirmary and have Casto give you juice for your injury.”

“Regan, his injury is not life-threatening. You made the rule that unless their life is in danger, a guard does not get juice until they are finished training for the day,” Axen said.

“I did,” I said, “but I am changing the rules. We will stock the cold storage units in the training room tomorrow with juice, and the guard will have unrestricted access to it. If they are injured, no matter how slight, they should drink juice to heal themselves before continuing.”

I turned to Delkin, “Can I ask you to stock the juice for tomorrow’s training, Delkin?”

“Of course,” he said.

“Thank you,” I said.

All three Draax looked surprised again. They had never heard me thank any of them for anything.

“Go to the infirmary, Veron,” I said.

“Yes, Regan.” He left, and I pointed to two more of our latest recruits.

“Jacob and Eben are struggling with their footwork. As it is one of your greatest strengths, will you work with them to improve it, Delkin?”

Delkin’s chest puffed out, and he nodded briskly. “Of course, Regan. I would be honoured to help them.”

“No punishment for their mistakes,” I said.

He nodded and left. I could feel a hot blush rising in my cheeks at the look on Axen’s face. “What?”

“You are different since you returned from your stay on Earth,” Axen said.

I didn’t reply, and he cocked his head. “Has your pretty little mate softened you, Regan?”

I growled at him, and he grinned before squeezing my shoulder. “If she has, it is in all the right ways.”

“I will be changing how the guard is trained,” I said. “Do I have your support in this, Axen?”

“Yes,” he said. “Whatever you need, Regan.”

“Good. I need you to look into acquiring wooden training swords.”

“Wooden swords?” Axen stared at me like I had sprouted a second head. “Regan, the king will never allow -”

“I am the head of the guard,” I said, “and I will train them how I see fit.”

What almost looked like admiration flickered across Axen’s face before he nodded. “As you wish, Regan.”