She suspected she...missed him.
Why had he stayed away?
Buck up! Did the reason really matter?
She was done waiting around. Done feeling like a discarded piece of garbage. Today-through fair means or foul-she would be going home.
Major pat on the back for refusing to give herself to Valerian after his fight with Joachim, gifting him with her trust and virginity. If she had and he'd still ignored her, perhaps choosing to be with someone else, she would have regretted her actions every day for the rest of her miserable life.
She had enough regrets, thanks.
"Come, Moon."
Every muscle and cell in Shaye's body jolted in reaction to that voice. His voice. Her heart fell out of rhythm as her gaze found him-the man who'd tormented her with his absence.
He stood in the doorway, the very picture of masculinity and dirty sex, despite the new lines around his eyes and the hollows in his checks. He wore black pants, and miracle of miracles a black shirt covered his spectacular chest. His dark blond hair gave new meaning to sexy disarray, the locks endearingly windblown.
"Where have you been?" she snapped. Then she blushed. Stay cool. Reveal nothing.
He glowered. "A dragon army arrived in the Outer City. I had to send them back to their king."
So...he hadn't been with another woman. Relief washed through her because-just because! "You should have told me."
He scrubbed his free hand down his tired face. "Mates pleasure their men before sending them off to war. I refused to pressure you for such a gift."
Balloon pop. What remained of her anger deflated.
"Come," he repeated. There was no hint of emotion in his tone. He held out his hand and waved his fingers.
"Why?" She rubbed her arms. "Where are you taking me?" Home?
The thought panicked her when it should have delighted her.
He's screwing with my head!
"Today I'm your escort. It's time to visit with the other women." He again motioned with his fingers.
Why was he so unlike his usual self? Had he given up on her, as she'd suspected?
"Were you harmed during battle?" she asked, remaining in place.
"No."
"You won?"
"Of course."
Finally. Emotion. He glared at her with irritation for doubting his ability. "Yeah," she said in an attempt to assuage his masculine pride. "You probably sent those pesky dragons running home, crying for their mommies."
He blinked at her-confused?
Well. Confusion was better than the irritation. My job here is done. "All right. Let's go." She walked over and clasped his proffered hand.
Instant currents of electricity! Tingles raced up her arm and heat pooled in her shoulder before zooming through the rest of her, igniting sparks of arousal.
In seconds, he'd reduced her to a puddle of heat and hormones.
He tugged her through the hallway. If contact had affected him, he gave no notice.
The jerk! "What are you doing today?"
"Training with my men."
He said no more.
"What's wrong with you, Valerian? You're like a pod-person right now."
"I have no idea what a pod-person is." He released a heavy sigh. "Word of our mating has spread faster than I intended. The horde of dragons came here hoping to take you away from me. To use you against me."
Her mouth dried. "And?"
"And I promised you I would protect you. I will. Aways. But I knew you would use the information to rally your cause and return home."
I should. I really should.
And she suspected he would hear her this time, and might even return her-the real crux of his fear. He didn't want to.
"How did you maintain your strength?" she asked, doing her best not to melt against him.
Oh, crap. That's right! Without sex, nymphs weakened. He needed physical intimacy to live, but the only thing she'd given him was grief.
"I took matters into my own hands," he said, every word stilted.
Oh. Ohhh. Heat burned her cheeks.
"This pleases you?" he asked, a brow lifted.
Yes! No. Maybe. "I'm going to plead the fifth," she said.
The corner of his mouth twitched. "I asked another human what that means. You don't wish to incriminate yourself with your answer."
Her cheeks burned hotter.
Thankfully they reached the luxurious room where the lovesick, sex-crazed females from her mother's wedding were already gathered, saving her from having to think up a reply.
As usual, several men stood guard at the entrance. One guy held a bundle of paper, a feather and an inkwell.
Valerian scooped up the items and handed them to her. "I thought you would enjoy writing your anti-cards or starting your novel."
Her mouth fell open. He was giving her another gift? But...but...
"Thank you," she said softly, clutching the bundle to her chest. He could have gone the easy route and given her flowers and candy. Instead, he'd searched for something specific to her.