Page 13 of The Warrior
Magni’s head turned and he frowned at me. “Because unlike you, she wants me to protect and care for her.”
I swallowed hard and looked down.
“It’s a shame that the Council of the Motherlands would never allow me to adopt Mila. They don’t like Nmen much in general, and after I kidnapped Athena, they hate me.”
“But they let Boulder adopt a child?”
Magni shrugged. “Only because he’s married to a Motlander and because the girl’s mother agreed.”
“I see.”
Magni’s wristband vibrated and he looked down. “We’ll have to continue this talk later. Khan wants me to join him for a strategy session before the negotiations with the Motherlands.”
“What negotiations?”
He got up and turned to face me. It was hard to keep my eyes from wandering down his magnificent body.
“Khan is all about integrating our countries and he’s willing to hold back our troops from attacking the Motherlands.”
“That’s good.”
“I disagree. But anyway, Khan believes he can get the Council to give us what we want in exchange for holding our men back from the border. My troops have been patrolling our side of the wall all night.”
“And what is it that you and Khan want?”
Magni moved to the bathroom. “We want men back in power, of course.”
“You’re not talking about men on the Motherland Council, are you?”
“For a start.” With a hand on the door, he gave me a speculative glance. “I’ve got a long list in my head, but first I’m taking a shower. You want to join me?”
“Only if you promise not to hurt any Motlanders.”
Magni raised an eyebrow and there was a hint of a rare smile on his lips. “What are you now? The protector of Motlanders?”
“I have friends there, and I’m not letting you attack them.”
“How noble of you to care so much, but you forget that I don’t take orders from women.”
I took his words as a challenge. Getting up from the bed, I moved closer with my head high and my movements feminine and graceful. My confidence was fueled by the way his eyes ran up and down my naked body and his Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat. Magni might think he was in control, but he had done desperate things to get me back. I had much more power than he wanted me to know.
“Promise me that you’ll never kidnap an innocent woman again.”
“Promise that you’ll never run away again.”
I nodded my head. “Deal. If I ever leave I’ll talk to you about it first.”
“Good girl. And you know what my answer will be.”
I gave him a mocking smile. “Hopefully something like ‘As my equal you are free to make your own decisions. I’ll support you in whatever you do.’”
“Hmm… more like, I’ll support you in being my wife who does as she’s told.” He took a few steps and turned on the water.
I shrugged. “Clearly, we still have some work in front of us.”
Magni stepped into the shower, closed his eyes, and lifted his face to the spray. With one hand, I confirmed what I suspected; the water was too hot for me.
“It’s boiling. Make it colder.”
