Page 22 of Bear Protector
“Minassus must have his head in the sand, if he didn’t notice you were gone.” He stroked his chin, studying her. “Either that or he has grown complacent.”
“I do not plan to question his ambivalence.”
“Do not underestimate him, Kiera.”
“I won’t.” She pointed at the outer wall. “You’re here to do your inspections, correct? Carry on, Commander.”
Shaking his head, he smiled and started to walk the gravel path beside the region’s outer walls. Neither of them spoke for a while, which was fine with Kiera. She would take every minute outside the fortress that she could get while coming to terms with everything she had learned. A flurry of fleeting emotions came and left her in waves. Anger and disappointment, followed by sadness and fear, then regret would get her right back to anger about just how much deception she had lived with for nine years.
“Do you feel safe inside the fortress?” Xander asked after some time, pulling her out of her hopelessly unproductive line of thinking.
“I used to, but not anymore.”
“I am truly sorry to be the one who opened your eyes.”
“Don’t be,” Kiera replied without thinking.
“You are probably questioning everything now.”
“I am, but I am not sorry about that. I’m grateful,” she said, looking up into his face. He gazed back at her with his head tilted to one side, eyebrows furrowed. For a moment, his expression felt like pity. Why did that not sit well with her? “Do you mind if we change the subject?” she asked, looking away.
“Not at all.”
“What exactly are you inspecting on the walls?”
“I’m double-checking the craftsmen’s repairs. This is my second time around the region this month. Every time we fight the destroyers, we figure out new ways to keep them from breaching these walls. It’s rare for them to make it inside the region, but if any get past us, these barriers need to work. If there’s time, I’ll show you something new that we’ve been working on at the camp.”
“I would like to see.”
“Good. We’ll be near the camp soon.”
“Really?” Kiera turned to check how far they had gone, and then paused. They had been around almost the entire perimeter of the central village already. How was it possible? Something about being with Xander, talking with him—even when they were not speaking, or when they disagreed—made time fly by. She cut her eyes to the side, wondering if she should take the added risk of extending today’s visit. All it took was one person recognizing her out here, or one person in the fortress missing her, and the Chancellor would eventually know.
Kiera could either turn to the right and return to the village, or turn left and follow Xander to his camp.
“Not today,” she told him, already disappointed in herself. “I should get back.”
His mouth curved into a frown. Did he enjoy spending time with her too? So far, he was a man of a few words, except when it came to the oppression of shifters, the Chancellor’s heavy-handedness, and the inequity caused by the transformation spell. After that sweet kiss on her palm yesterday, he had not made another advance or said a word about anything personal. She had no way of knowing what he was thinking.
“Tomorrow can work,” she added. “I would like to see what your men are working on.”
“I’m looking forward to it already.”
Xander reached out to brush a stray strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. She shivered at his touch, suddenly felt warm inside, alive and buzzing like a swarm of bees in her head. It was how she imagined being struck by lightning would feel. That touch stirred her up, leaving her aching and breathless. Rather than try to respond over her tied tongue, she turned and practically ran back to the center of the village meet Coco.
Xander might not know it yet, but she was running for a reason. All she could think about was how badly she wanted to stay with him, and goodness, that notion was not just alarming, it was damn near terrifying.
8
Xander
Xander was pleased. His plan to bring Kiera to his side was coming along almost too easily. The woman was already so desperate for the truth. All it took was telling her about the eight dead Chosen witches, and now that she had stayed overnight at his cabin, he was confident she trusted him more. Seducing her would be a breeze. He could do it with his eyes shut, although he much preferred the idea of feasting his eyes on every square inch of Kiera’s body. The best part was that Kiera already wanted him, and that fact was almost as intoxicating as the prospect of seeing change around here. He could not wait to see her again, or to get her to where all she could do was beg him to take her.
As he walked back to the camp, he remembered the way she smiled at him, the way the light hit her face at just the right angle to make her eyes shimmer like emeralds. His expression hardened again. Falling for her was not an option. Kiera had a part to play, and nothing more. They could have a bit of fun, but after his plan was realized, she would not be his concern. Besides, he, his mother, and anyone soldier who was willing would leave the central village before the dust settled. There was a possibility Minassus would try to capture them if their plan did not end up going exactly as hoped, but at least they could fight on their own turf and on their terms. Whatever it took, they would be free.
By the time Xander got to his cabin after meeting his troops that evening, a folded note was wedged in between his front door and the frame. He opened the message.
If you are available, I will meet you tomorrow at noon. Same place as we planned.
