Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)(45)

Cyprian stared in shock at the scrolling black mark on Riley’s chest. It blended with the warrior’s ink she already wore, looking like the vines of the exotic flower that trailed down from her shoulder. Among the Cadi, only the males bore warrior’s ink. Strangely enough, the placement of his name on her chest, implied a claim that had nothing to do with slavery.

His eyes travelled to the crook of Riley’s neck. Her long, black and violet locks covered the conjugo mark he’d given her, but he knew it was there.

What have you done? Cyprian asked himself as reality set in.

Cyprian couldn’t believe he mated the tiny human. The general was content with his life. Cadi was going through a lot of changes. It needed capable warriors, who were willing to do what was necessary to keep Cadi moving forward on the right path. With all his obligations, Cyprian wasn’t looking for a mate. And he certainly hadn’t planned on mating a human.

Biting Riley was a gamble. There was no guarantee she would even respond to the serum in your bite. You had to try. You didn’t have any options. You couldn’t just brutalize her.

“You mind telling me your name, since I have it burned over my breast.” Riley demanded when she saw him staring at her.

“Cyprian de Praefectus.”

“Cyprian. In English that means lewd or lascivious,” Riley commented.

Cyprian scowled down at her, and Riley scowled back. Where his brow furrowed in consternation, Riley wore a false smile, her eyes narrowed.

“It doesn’t in my language. Don’t insult me, Little Manx,” Cyprian growled low as he set Riley down on the floor, keeping a firm grip on her arm.

Riley had hit a nerve. Cyprian’s name was the only thing he had to remember his mother by. Besides his life, it was the only thing she’d given him before joining the Goddess.

Humans are trouble, and rude.

“I appreciate being saved from the worm back there,” Riley said as she jogged to keep up with his agitated stride. “You are preferable to that thing. Unless you planted a swarm of parasites in me with that cock of yours. Or gave me rabies with that freaky bite.”

Cyprian stopped and turned toward the maddening female. She thanked him, then insulted him in the same breath. He gritted his jaw as he stared down at her. She wore that snotty half smile. But the look in her eyes expressed something entirely different. She was nervous and unsure.

Can you blame her. Don’t be too angry.

As much as Cyprian wanted to apologize for his callous treatment, he couldn’t. He still had a cover to maintain. That meant Riley had to believe she was his slave.

“You will be fine.” Cyprian didn’t tell Riley he very well could’ve impregnated her with the scant bit of seed he introduced to her body. He doubted that would please her. It sure as torment didn’t thrill him. “You are certain that Ubi worm didn’t touch you?”

Cyprian looked Riley up and down. The thought of that slug jabbing her with its proboscis sent white hot rage through him.

“I held my own,” Riley replied with an imperious flick of her hair, then started walking.

Cyprian grunted and took the lead back to his suite. He should’ve been pleased that he successfully retrieved Riley, when everything other aspect of his mission remained elusive. Except he found himself frustrated instead. All he wanted was a shower and a bed for a few hours. Riley had to be exhausted too. Hopefully sleep would help both their attitudes.

There was no one in the suite when they arrived. The crew hadn’t made it back from the arena yet. It was a relief. Cyprian wasn’t in the mood to deal with the smugglers.

“Do you want to use the washroom first?” Cyprian asked when they reached his room.

“Nope. You’re a wreck. You need it more.”

Cyprian glanced down at himself and shrugged.

“I’ve been worse. Stay there,” he insisted while pointing to the end of the bed.

Riley sat with a huff. Cyprian walked into the washroom, turned on the hot water in the bathing stall, shucked his vestments, and stepped in. He rested his forehead on the stone wall as the water washed over him. The mission had taken turns he never saw coming. He needed to bring it to a close, before anything happened that couldn’t be undone.

Too late for that, Cyprian barked out a bitter laugh.

There was no reversing what he’d done to Riley. Cyprian growled and punched the wall in frustration.

“You need to get out there,” Vintor said as he burst into the washroom.

“What now?” Cyprian growled.

He grabbed a towel and followed Vintor out of the washroom.



Riley

“Stay there,” Riley mocked Cyprian’s brusque command.

Riley wasn’t sure if she was more pissed by him telling her what to do, or the location he insisted she wait. Riley instantly got off the bed and started pacing the room, as she thought about her new captor.