Page 16 of The Goddesses' Gifts

CHAPTER 8

ZELFEK

There was too much to do, so I didn’t linger in the prison wing for long after my brief trance. Dulanzo would no doubt try to keep me too busy to bother with the woman I’d left sleeping peacefully. That was fine as long as I got to update Dourlek, have a spy posted on the prison wing, and secure some more supplies for Ozanna. She needed more clothes, a warmer blanket … hygiene items. Damn her for somehow wriggling her way into my care.

But I’d done that myself, hadn’t I? Poor self-control and an obsessive streak that could be exploited if anyone learned of it. I shouldn’t have lingered at her side as long as I had, allowing her aura to caress mine where I held it close and controlled. I shouldn’t have enjoyed the tender contact of her cheek against my collar. At least this care could be explained away as a feeble attempt to pursue her.

I hadn’t been a good enough person to leave her untouched, though. I’d allowed myself a few moments to crouch by the bed and watch her sleep. On impulse I held my breath and oh, so gently pressed my index finger against her bottom lip, indenting the pale flesh just enough to satisfy my curiosity … soft and supple, curved like the rest of her body. My heart raced and my mouth went dry. I released a shaky breath and backed away to leave before I made another mistake that would cost me her trust.

Instead, I left to find Captain Dourlek along an outer passage. It was his duty to oversee the patrols of our surface territory and at that time of day, he would be preparing to leave the compound with the others on his shift. He watched me stoically while I approached and summoned silence—it wouldn’t arouse Dulanzo’s suspicion to do so in such a public place.

Dourlek was younger than I, but one might say he had an old soul to have made his rank before reaching his hundredth birthday. He’d elected to scar his face with jagged, symmetrical lines under his prominent cheek bones when the first strands of noble silver had started showing. While he might be sent away to breed on occasion, the scars meant that the general, or any ladder climbing clergy, wouldn’t want to keep him as a mate. In politics it wouldn’t be acceptable to have a male with permanent marks on their face. Scars that stayed hidden under their clothes were fine, but, again, we all had our roles to play when it came to appearance. And if you couldn’t play the role, you weren’t chosen for them.

Dourlek didn’t smile or frown or anything in greeting. He had either mastered the disinterested, neutral mask of an expression he wore most of the time, or this life had truly broken him to the point he genuinely didn’t feel much of anything.

“Subcommander,” he murmured while his eyes flicked around for unfriendly witnesses. There were none.

“Captain,” I nodded. “I have a quick update.” And I relayed the change in Dulanzo’s redirection, the care to be given the woman.

I couldn’t tell if he disliked any of it, but he agreed it was best.

“I attended the pregnancy this morning,” I added. “If I’m waylaid tomorrow, I’ll want someone that won’t mistreat the mother to see to it. She’s regaining her strength and killed Avry when he was foolish enough to try her.”

Dourlek snorted. “We should keep her then, maybe we could get some decent soldiers out of her.”

“No,” I said. “It won’t be necessary to force someone to do this in the future.”

Dourlek pursed his lips in a half frown that I judged to be a thoughtful expression.

“If you have something to say, say it,” I encouraged.

“You truly intend to let nature take its course when you seize the reins?”

I didn’t bother to scrutinize his words or expression. It would be energy wasted.

“Yes,” I nodded. “I’m confident after watching the outcome of Lhoris’ loose leash on his band of idiots. If they could enter a nearby town to cavort, there’s no reason the more disciplined of us couldn’t eventually build families.”

“You mean to disband this outpost?”

“Not intentionally,” I hedged. “If it comes to it, then I would allow the community to shift into what it needs to become.”

Dourlek’s brows twitched. “I don’t know what to make of this ambition.”

“Living in Irnon’s shadow has wrought nothing but misery for our lot,” I sneered. “Dulanzo wastes the power he has on selfish matters. His ambition died when he took his seat as commander. He squanders resources unnecessarily.”

“That I cannot argue,” Dourlek agreed gravely. “The few children coming from the city these days don’t make up for our losses when half of them die.”

“And Lady Umlern’s hands are tied to stop it.”

“It’s up to us, yes,” he agreed. “Though I fear Lady Umlern’s age is catching up with her. We may have to contend with Colva before long. Our coup might be her opportunity to depose her mother.”

“Which is why I’ve kept in good standing with the cold bitch,” I reminded him. “She doesn’t appear aware of why Dulanzo’s been granted such freedom.”

Dourlek offered a genuine frown at that. He wasn’t happy that I’d kept Dulanzo’s secret to myself. None of my officers were happy about it, really, but they understood that it would be the source of my power when the time came. They’d just have to figure it out themselves when they decided to stab me in the back one day. For now, it was the secret that would allow us the space to do what needs doing.

“You believe this advantage you’re to take would also dissuade Colva?”

“Oh, yes,” I grinned, “beyond the shadow of a doubt.” But I couldn’t spend any more time reassuring him of my intention. I trusted Dourlek more than any other in this compound. It might pacify his doubts if I gave him a clue. “We’ll be well protected from any forces from the city as long as this mountain stands.”

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