Page 88 of Warrior Revealed

“Get out,” he growled and shook his head, not wanting to hear her excuses.

“We’re going,” Bregma said sadly as she helped usher everyone out.

Axilla paused at the door and looked at him, her mouth opening.

“Don’t,” he said before she could say anything else.

Axilla nodded and left. As soon as the door closed, he scooted back from the table.

“Are you okay?” Nadzia squeezed his knee as she stood.

“Yes. No,” he huffed in frustration. “They have an uncanny way of ruining everything.”

“I’m so sorry.” She frowned up at him as she rubbed his chest.

Amazingly her compassion made him feel better, soothing years of frustration. Everything about her made him feel better, even when she mocked him.

“I’m done trying to appease or explain things to them. And when it comes to you, I refuse to bargain with the Conclave.” He shook his head.

He’d given in and given up enough of himself. He wouldn’t give up Nadzia.

“That is so damn sweet, but I don’t want to come between you and your family,” she insisted, pain reflected in her eyes.

“You’re not. This has been a long time coming.” He caressed her cheek. “Although, I really need to think about what comes next, and you standing here looking all gorgeous and naked isn’t helping me think. Where are your clothes anyway?” He glanced around the bed.

“You really were drunk last night,” Nadzia giggled. “Don’t you recall carrying me naked through the passage?”

His eyes widened as the hazy memory surfaced. “So, I did,” he said as they approached the hidden passage by his bed.

“Yeah, it was pretty sweet. You applied more healing salve to my scrapes and bruises.” Nadzia caressed his chest, making him shiver.

“And then I added more,” he growled, frustrated with himself as he noted the red marks on her hips and where he’d nipped her neck the other night.

“Hush! I loved it and I love you. Come find me in a bit.” She leaned in and kissed the bared quick on his chest

“I love you, too, my weakness,” he replied as she disappeared into the hidden passage.

I need to figure out what to do about the conclaves and fast, he sighed as he shut the passage. He hated seeing Nadzia leave. It made him ache inside.

“Aculus?”

“What?” He spun as Costa entered his suite and wondered if she’d seen Nadzia leave.

The female swiftly approached. He backed up as she reached out to him, but there was nowhere to go unless he wanted to escape into the passage behind the wall.

“I wanted to apologize for our intrusion.” Costa rubbed his chest, then paused, her eyes widening as she stared at his chest.

Aculus looked down to see his quick was bared where Nadzia just kissed him. He could still feel the lingering press of her lips on his chest. That had to be why the small spot remained exposed.

Costa tugged in a deep breath. “It’s me! I’m your weakness,” she squealed.

Torment, he groaned and looked at the ceiling as Costa tugged him toward the door.

“I’m his weakness. It’s me!” she continued shouting.

“Wait a moment, Costa,” he tried saying but she didn’t hear him over her excitement.

He pulled away from Costa as she headed into the hallway hollering. The rest of his conclave came pouring out of their quarters.

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