CHAPTER 9
M auree woke from the best dream of her life.
Visions of Theron with his dark, haunted eyes drifted through her mind. Damn, he was sexy. She tried to hold on to the image, but the harder she tried, the faster the dream escaped her grasp. With a deep groan, she shoved her face into her pillow. Was it really time to wake up?
She inhaled, and Theron’s spicy licorice scent filtered into her lungs. Ah, the dream was more than a fantasy. She grinned and stretched. Her muscles ached in all the right places, bringing back pleasant memories from their earlier encounter.
More, I want more.
She brushed her fingers over his pillowcase. The fabric was still warm from his skin, but he was gone.
She opened her eyes and sat up. The brilliant light of late sunset penetrated through the window, lighting the dresser with its huge, carved wooden frame in shades of amber and gold. In the mirror, she caught a glimpse of her reflection.
Hair tousled around her shoulders, lips red and swollen, she looked like a female who’d enjoyed a good time in the sack. Happiness and pride rippled through her. She smiled and winked at her image. “You’re beautiful, baby.”
She peered at the closed bathroom door, her euphoria deflating. “Theron?”
Silence.
Hairs along her nape rose. She stuck out her bottom lip.
The bathroom door opened, the slight creak of the hinge ringing in her ears.
He strode into the bedroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. Her attention drew to his six-pack abs and the fine hairs that ran under the towel’s edge. She had the sudden urge to tug the material free and expose his large package hidden beneath. Her fingers twitched.
“Ah, you’re back.” She poked her legs from between the sheets, showcasing her best attribute.
His attention drew to her bare flesh before pulling to her eyes. He shrugged.
He ran another towel over his head and dried his hair. The muscles in his shoulders and arms flexed with his efforts, bringing back memories of his strength and stamina.
She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth and gnawed on the tender flesh. With dramatic flair, she patted his empty place on the bed. “Come, we still have time before the troops head out.”
His jaw clenched. He didn’t look at her. Instead, he grabbed her brush off the vanity and pulled the bristles through his hair.
She fisted the sheet between her fingers. “Theron…”
The muscles in his shoulders tensed. He tossed the brush onto the dresser. The handle bounced against one of her perfume bottles. The vial rattled, teetering on the edge of falling, before righting itself once again.
“I don’t have time for games. Kaelyn…that Kasard Stiyaha captured her.” He wheeled to face her. His mouth drew into a thin line, and a tic pulsed in his jaw. “I will find her.”
Mauree slid to the edge of the bed and stood. Using the sheet as a makeshift dress, she tugged the material around her midriff. She ran her fingers down Theron’s arm. “Are you sure about what you saw?”
A low hiss eased from him. “Yes. A large male with a scar across his face held Kaelyn in his arms. He took her through a portal. I couldn’t stop him…”
“That was Saar.” She trailed her fingers over his shoulder in small circles.
“If he kills her, I will torture him until—”
“Don’t worry. If he’d planned to kill her, she’d already be dead.”
After a quick turn, she paced to the window. The sun was down. Darkness crept through the trees, claiming the territory as if it had every right. Which, of course, it did.
The sound of rustling clothes caught her attention.
She peered at Theron.
He tugged a pair of dark jeans over the taut, firm muscles in his buttocks. Damn, he looked yummy.
“Mmmmm, Theron. You know how to tease a girl. Perhaps we should—”
The temperature in the room dropped several degrees. Goosebumps rose on Mauree’s arms.
A light blue mist slid through the slight opening in the window.
Mauree held her breath.
Theron turned to face her. “What’s going on?”
She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Zedron.” His name came out on a squeak.
The vapor grew, coalescing in size and shape into a tall male. The form solidified.
Zedron wore a dark tailored suit with diamond cufflinks and a handkerchief dangling from the coat’s breast pocket. He smiled, revealing a perfect set of white teeth. Somehow, the gleam didn’t quite make it to his eyes. Instead, they were cold, hard, assessing. His gaze raked down Theron then focused on Mauree.
She cleared her throat. “Z…Zedron. So good to see you. What brings you here?”
“A status update. You had an…opportunity…to kill Noeh. Yet, he still lives.” Zedron’s words were low, controlled. If he’d said them any quieter, she wouldn’t have heard him. The ease in his voice chilled her, and she pulled the sheet tighter around her waist.
Remembering their first encounter together, she knew better than to show weakness to her boss. She raised her chin. “The battle at Roan’s Rock was a rousing success. We took out several of Noeh’s warriors, weakening his position in the game—weakening Alora.”
His lip twitched. “I’m listening.”
She glanced at Theron. The hard lines in his face bolstered her conviction. If Zedron killed her and sent her back to the character board on Lemuria, then so be it. Might as well go out big. She crossed her arms over the bed sheet. “You could learn a little patience. Be happy with our progress.”
Zedron’s face reddened.
This was it. He’d kill her or let her get on with her business. A tremble started in her knee. She stiffened her leg, forcing herself to remain calm.
The lines in Zedron’s face softened ever so slightly. A soft chuckle eased from his throat, building in tempo and volume until it turned into a full-blown laugh. The mirror shook within its frame.
Mauree exhaled.
Zedron’s chortle subsided, and he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “Unexpected and unpredictable. I like that about you. Well done…for now. But, I expect you to handle Noeh and soon. Understood?”
“Of course. My goal hasn’t changed. Eliminate Noeh and the rest of Alora’s troops will run around like chickens with their heads cut off. I shall succeed.”
He nodded, and a streak of silver flashed through his blue eyes. “Very well. See that you do.” His fixating stare tracked to Theron. “A bit of advice. Don’t let…distractions…get in your way.”
She stiffened. “You needn’t worry. I’m focused.”
He gave her one quick nod, his stare locked onto her. “Ensure that remains so.”
Before she could respond, he transformed into the blue mist. The vapor slid through the small opening in the window and dissipated into the night.
She closed her eyes and prayed she could live up to her bravado.