Page 37 of Enchanting Her Mate
Wake up, my beautiful inara.
Jo’s words meet my ears, pulling me from the deepest slumber I can remember having. I smile when her face comes into view and pull her against me. She smells so good, even now. I want nothing more than to lift her above my head and have her ride my face until she screams.
We should get up and start the day, but that sounds like a wonderful plan for later,she replies, but…not out loud.
My eyes fly open as I turn toward her.
She smiles, and without moving her mouth, she says,This is strange to you, yes? Do not worry, I have heard most mates adjust quickly.
I go to speak, but instantly snap my lips shut and focus on opening my mind to her.
You do not need to do that;she sends through our mental link.I am already here.
Wow! I was not expecting it to be like this,I send back.
Uncertainty tightens her features.Do you not like it?
No, I love it! Now I can be with you all the time.
I feel her love and warmth through our link.I love it too,she sends back.
Someone knocks softly on our door. “Yes?” Jo says.
A high-pitched caw fills the air the moment Rulya opens the door a crack. “Mek!” I shout, and he turns on his side to fly through the narrow opening, before landing between Jo and me on the bed.
Rulya giggles as she leans against the door. “I was told he was missing.”
“Yes,” I reply. “He left the caves, and I did not know where he went. Though I assumed he came back here.”
Jo strokes the feathers on his head, and he leans into her touch.
A moment later, Qayeko races into the room, gasping for breath. “Jobaki, you are needed outside. Now.”
“Qayeko, what has happened?” Jo demands.
The side of Qayeko’s mouth curves up. “Pohrrixo.”
“What?” I ask, confused.
Jo does not answer. Instead, she leaps off the bed and grabs the closest items of clothing she can reach and throws them on. I follow suit before racing down the stairs and out the front door.
I skid to a stop on the main path directly behind Jo as she mutters, “Oh, goddess. What have I done?”
Marching through the center of the village is a group of warriors. No, not warriors. I am not sure what they are, exactly. From the looks of them, they are…not well. Their skin is a pale, sickly gray, with a translucent quality to it. Deep black circles surround their eyes. Their lips are also black, and though they are wearing clothes––scraps of clothes, really––I can see their bones through their skin. Not in the sense that they are thin enough for their bones to be visible, their bodies are heavily muscled, but when the light hits them in certain spots, I can see the skeleton beneath. Though it is difficult to notice anything beyond the long and gaping wounds that cover their bodies.
They are terrifying. And their lime-green eyes are locked on Jo.
“What is this?” I ask, not knowing if I need to shift into my draxilio and burn them where they stand, or if this is something the Hexrins are used to dealing with.
Varrek and his crew of warriors emerge from the training ground behind us, their weapons at the ready.
“No, Varrek,” Jo says, waving her hands frantically as she places herself between Varrek and the gray wounded creatures approaching. “I can take care of this. I promise you.”
He looks between Jo and the group approaching. “You know who they are? And what they want?”
She sighs heavily. “Yes, I think I do.”
“Jo!” Kayt shouts. “What the fuck is going on?”