Whatever it was, he knew how foolish he was being and yet he did not reject his folly. He embraced it whole-heartedly and remained in the doorway.
Si-Moon bumped against him. Stumbling back, she lifted her chin so she could glare into his eyes. “Move.”
“You treasure that Heronas more than you do me?”
“I saidmove, Zar.”
“You believe I am a liar.”
“I know your hatred is more powerful than you can control.” Si-Moon’s beautiful eyes shifted between his, growing darker by the minute. “I know you can’t separate it from reality. I know your crusade means more to you than me.”
“Oh, you know this?”
“Where is Chozo, Zar?” Si-Moon crossed slender arms over her chest.
Zar gritted his teeth, refusing to answer. Even if he told her the truth, his mate would not believe him.
Frustration made him scowl. Had he not held her in his arms while she cried over the pains of her past? Had he not assured her that she was safe with him and that he would lay down his life for her?
Had he not branded her with his hardness and plunged into her heat until her knees buckled and her body convulsed with pleasure? What more did this female want from him? What could she possibly need for him to prove that he would never harm her nor deceive her?
“I have given you no reason to doubt me,” Zar said, his heras throbbing with disappointment. He pulled his anger more securely around himself, choosing to fall back into the familiar rather than reveal his true scars.
“I know you.”
“You knownothing,” he snapped.
Si-Moon’s eyes narrowed.
Zar breathed out through his nose and tried to wrangle the anger back. It was a slippery slope and he did not want to startle Si-Moon. She was already sensitive to those with a temper.
Denizi.
Zar’s fingers tugged into fists as he struggled to calm himself in the face of her accusations and mistrust.
Si-Moon’s gaze landed on his hands. “Go ahead.”
“Stop it.”
“What are you going to do with those fists, Zar?”
His nostrils flared.
Si-Moon was baiting him. Though he knew this, Zar could not stop himself from sliding into the trap. Anger snapped through his body, lashing at him like metal whips.
This female.
This stubborn, head-strong human woman…
Si-Moon shook her head, her voice cracking. “I’m going to look for Chozo and if he is not in this house safe and sound, Zar…”
“What?” Zar narrowed his eyes. “What will you do, Si-Moon? Will you run away from me? Do you think you can?”
“Is that a threat?”
“I will hunt you down. Wherever you go.”
Her chest heaved. “I amnotyour property.”