So, Drakkal…you released a terran slave and let her steal everything—including the clothes on your back? Andhowmuch smaller than you was she, exactly?
Releasing a frustrated huff, Drakkal turned and walked toward his hovercar, ignoring the put-upon pedestrians in his way.
At least the car was less than two kilometers away; itwould’ve been a long, long walk home otherwise.
Drakkal wasn’t surprisedto see Arcanthus waiting near the interior door when he drove the hovercar into the garage. The sedhi was leaning against the wall, one leg bent, with his dark cybernetic arms folded across his chest. His smirk was reflected in all three of his black and yellow eyes.
Drakkal parked the vehicle and climbed out.
Arc’s eyes widened—and his smirk stretched into a grin. “Well, look what the cat dragged in,” he said as Drakkal—still naked—approached.
“I told you to stop asking Sam for cat-related sayings,” Drakkal replied, stopping a couple paces away from Arcanthus.
“Sorry. That one just seemedpurrfect.”
“Fuck you, sedhi.”
Arcanthus chuckled. “Taking out the claws early, I see.”
Drakkal ground his teeth together and spread his arms to either side. “Do I look like I’m in the mood?”
“You look like you’re inamood, at least. I suppose things got feisty at old Murgen’s?”
That restless, fury-laced energy thrummed through Drakkal’s body. His arousal had cooled—albeit slowly—during the journey home, but his drive to hunt and claim his terran had intensified. His patience for everything, including his usual banter with Arcanthus, was frayed.
“Yeah.” Drakkal walked to the door, opened it, and strode into the corridor beyond.
Arcanthus fell into step behind him. “Nakedandagitated, azhera? You have a story to tell.”
“Maybe when you’re ready to stop screwing around, Arcanthus.”
“Now I’m even more intrigued.”
Drakkal shook his head and increased his pace. “Fine. Let’s talk in your workshop.”
“Hold on,” Arcanthus snapped. One of his cybernetic hands came down on Drakkal’s shoulder.
A low, involuntary growl vibrated from Drakkal’s chest as he halted. He shrugged off Arcanthus’s hand and turned to face the sedhi. “What?”
“Samantha’s in there. You can’t go in like this.”
Drakkal’s brow furrowed. “You’re tellingmeto get dressed?”
“Well, you’re not going to parade around naked in front of my mate.”
Any other day, Drakkal would’ve seized this opportunity to tease Arcanthus, to get under his skin—it’s only because you know she’ll realize I’m more attractive than youor something like that. But today, having encountered the woman he was certain was his mate, he couldn’t bring himself to joke like that.
I want my terran.
Drakkal held out his right hand. “Give me your robe.”
Arcanthus’s eyes widened. “What? No. You have plenty of your own clothes in your room.”
“My room is on the other side of the building.” Drakkal began turning away. “Would rather just stop in your workshop on the way.”
“All right, all right!”
Normally, the corner of Drakkal’s mouth would’ve turned up in amusement at this petty victory, but he didn’t feel any amusement now. He turned back toward Arcanthus, who was scowling as he removed his silky crimson robe. The sedhi’s brows were angled down toward the bridge of his nose as he handed the garment to Drakkal—or rather shoved it hard against the azhera’s chest.