Page 59 of The Ranger

“Hmmm,” Kwaku mused as he eyed him.

“I’m sure it’s one of the main reasons Prince Vale and Makama are here,” Lany tacked on.

Kwaku continued to eye him. “What do you tink, Pretty One?” He turned to Zara who stood near the open door. She was probably waiting for Vale and Makama to join them.

“We must take this one day at a time. But I agree with the Lord Councilor. Vale and Makama are more well-versed at young love.”

“Thank you,” Lany said with a wipe of his brow.

Kwaku proceeded to pull off Markhel’s boots. He didn’t argue.

It wasn’t long before the prince and his wife joined them, and Markhel fought to keep his eyes open. For such a small Sarian, Tylahs was powerful. His soothing presence sent waves of relief through him, relaxing muscles, and easing the pain in his heart. But would he be able to do the same thing when his inner heart had fully woken? He cringed at the thought.

“So, how is he doing?” Vale came to the bed and smiled at Tylahs. “Hard at work, I see.”

“Yessssk!”

“Good, he needs it,” Makama said. “I’m surprised he didn’t spook the horses as loud as he screamed.”

Lany’s eyes rounded to saucers. “Just how bad was it?”

Kwaku gave him a grave look. “Bad.” He paced to the other end of the room and back. “He will see her again tomorrow.” He faced Lany. “You will keep her fadar and grandfadar away from dem.” He smiled at Vale. “You too.”

“What am I supposed to do?” Makama asked.

“Make sure dey are togedar. Keep dem close, make dem work side by side. Perhaps her modar and grandmodar will be more accommodating.”

Makama went to the edge of the bed and sat. She petted Tylahs who smiled in response and purred louder. “I can handle that. Zara?”

“Do not involve her,” Kwaku advised. “She and I have business to attend to.”

“What business?” Vale asked. “I thought he was your business.” He nodded at Markhel.

Markhel looked at Vale, then closed his eyes, hoping he could open them if he had to.

“We must guard against intruders,” Kwaku said with a low chuckle.

Markhel pried one eye open. “Have you seen signs?”

“No,” Kwaku said. “But we will search for dem.” He headed for the door. “Come, Pretty One. Your heart must be hungry.”

Everyone in the room turned away. Markhel didn’t, he was still intent on finding out what sort of threat Kwaku was looking for. As soon as they left, he tried turning his head to the Lord Councilor. “What has he found?”

“I have no idea. I didn’t even know they were looking for trouble.”

“Speaking of which, is it safe to look?” Makama had put her hands over her eyes.

Markhel let a chuckle escape, despite the pain it caused. “What is wrong?”

“Kwaku and Zara. Dallan and Shona, they, um, informed us of what Zara’s heart feeds off of.”

“Oh, that.” Markhel closed his eye and tried to relax. Muiraran couples had to feed their shared heart, and it was often through spending quiet time together and often love making. Kwaku happened to have a Muiraran mate whose inner heart, though shared with Kwaku, fed off intense, sexual passion, which often left a lot of red faces in its wake. He’d noted Makama’s blush, as well as Vale’s, before he’d closed his eye. Lord Councilor Lany had been around the couple long enough not to be embarrassed and took it all in stride.

Markhel hoped that when the time came, Maida would be able to feed his. If not, he was going to die.

12

“He did what?!”