Shadowed(97)

Chapter Twenty-seven



“I just want to thank you for everything you did for me today.” Reddix stood in the doorway of his second guestroom awkwardly. Saber and Lissa were in the first guestroom since Saber’s parents hated their new daughter-in-law for “perverting” their son, but the two of them had already gone to bed.

Reddix was ready for bed himself—he’d already changed into a pair of dark blue sleep trousers and taken off his shirt. He and Nina had the rest of the house to themselves, and he wished he could ask her to share his bed instead of putting her across the house from him. But he had no legitimate reason to ask her to sleep with him—not now that the Hurkon collar had been removed. It felt wrong to sleep without her in his arms, but what else could he do? So he lingered in the doorway, talking, unwilling to say goodnight and go back to his own lonely bedchamber by himself.

“You don’t have to thank me.” Nina seemed to be feeling awkward and uncertain as well. She had taken a bath and changed too, from her fur dress into a silky gown Lissa had loaned her. It was deep blue which emphasized her eyes, and the thin material seemed to cling to every one of her generous curves. In fact, Reddix could have sworn he could see the tight peaks of her nipples just under the silky blue top of the gown…Realizing he was ogling her like a horny adolescent, he snapped his eyes back up to her face guiltily.

“Yes, I do have to thank you,” he protested. “The force of Minda’s grief was so strong…nearly overwhelming. I was close to passing out. If it hadn’t been for you being there, touching me…” He cleared his throat and looked down. “I haven’t hugged her like that in years,” he said gruffly. “Haven’t been able to stand it though the Goddess knows I wanted to. She’s so precious to me. Being able to comfort her today meant a lot.”

“I’m glad I could help,” Nina said softly. “More than I can say. Do you think she’ll be all right?”

Reddix nodded. “Minda’s a fighter,” he said grimly. “Goddess knows she fought for me, even when I didn’t want to fight for myself. I know how awful a loss like this must be for her, but I hope in time she’ll try again.”

“She’s going to make a wonderful mother someday,” Nina said softly. “It sounds like she got plenty of practice taking care of you when the two of you were growing up.”

“We took care of each other,” Reddix admitted. “Even before my RTS manifested, our parents were always off doing the political thing. The OverChief and his second rule by blood but they still have to keep the goodwill of the people by going out and visiting all over Tarsia.” He made a face. “It’s one reason I don’t want the fucking job.”

“Maybe you won’t have to take it,” she suggested.

“Maybe.” Reddix wasn’t very hopeful on that score. “I guess we’ll see after tomorrow night’s gathering.”

“Do you have to attend it?” Nina asked.

He nodded ruefully. “As second in the line of succession I’m afraid there’s no way to get out of it.”

She frowned. “But if there’s a big crowd of people…all those emotions…”

“It won’t be fun, but I can handle it.” Privately, he wasn’t sure he could, but he didn’t want to admit that to Nina. And besides, there were other things he had to worry about besides the crowd he would face tomorrow night. For instance, the lthss on his wrist had suddenly grown again since their landing on Tarsia. It was as though the small, evil creature knew he was home and was reminding him of his obligation to Xandra. Soon he would have to go and offer his blood to pay the bargain he had made. No doubt the witch would be disappointed to learn he hadn’t brought her the sacrifice of innocent blood she had demanded, but there was no way in hell he was letting Nina anywhere near that evil bitch’s hut.

“You won’t have to,” Nina said, pulling him out of his silent contemplation.

“Have to what?” Reddix asked, realizing he had missed something.

“I said, you won’t have to handle it alone,” Nina said softly. “I’ll be there with you the whole time. I’ll help you.”

“No.” Reddix frowned. “No, you can’t—it’ll be way too dangerous. Once Saber makes his announcement the crowd is going to get ugly—they’ll be calling for blood.”

“Let them—I’m not afraid.” Nina lifted her chin. “I know Lissa is going to be there.”

“That’s between her and Saber,” Reddix growled. “I don’t know why he’s letting her be there, but I sure as hell don’t intend to let you risk yourself for me like that.”