Page 11 of Victoria's Embrace

He might’ve worried over the intensity of his envy, certain males were not supposed to contemplate violence upon their female’s other mates at knowing they’d been inside her… if he hadn’t caught Vi’kail expression.

Vi’kail had gone perfectly still when he spotted them, his eyes zeroing in on her well-pleased expression. His face had twisted with hunger so intense Thegan thought for many moments that he might have to stop him from doing something impulsive, like snatching her out of Thorn’s arms and falling upon her.

Hells, the Gods knew he was tempted to the same. He desired her with a ferocity that set his blood on fire and strained his control almost to the breaking point, but it was their duty to care for her, to put her first.

His little mate was stronger than she gave herself credit for, but they’d been on the run for days. He’d noticed the dark circles marring the delicate skin under her eyes. She needed sleep. Not to have her mates fall upon her like ravenous beasts.

When Vi’kail took a step in their direction, Thegan blocked his path. His expression had twisted further, his eyes feverish with need, but he’d blinked and then spun around, fleeing to the depths of the building like a pack ofúldfirwere snapping at his heels. Thegan knew exactly what he’d gone back there to do because he’d had the same thought himself before the light-footed bastard beat him to it.

Not that Thegan expected taking himself in hand would do much good, not when he only had to look at Vee or get close enough to catch her sweet scent to harden in his ‘jeens.’ Gods, but he wanted her, craved her with an intensity that tested sanity, but he loved her more.

And so he stood, keeping watch while she slept in his brother’s arms, restraining himself to the occasional hungry glance.

* * *

Hours later,he, Thorn, and Vi’kail were seated at a table discussing what to do with the slaves. Thegan was mid-sentence in agreeing with Vi’kail that they could not take them with them when he heard Vee stir.

Turning, he watched her stretch, his gaze riveted on her chest, entranced by the way her shirt tightened across her full breasts. When she looked their way, he tried to tone down what he was sure was a rabidly hungry look on his face, grimacing wryly as he blindly tried to adjust his hard cock to a slightly less uncomfortable position.

“Morning. Or good afternoon, I guess,” she greeted as she approached.

There was a shyness about her. He caught her scrutinizing each of them in turn as she padded across the room and knew from the way she was chewing her lip and the tension in her slight frame that she was waiting to see how they were going to react after her time with Thorn. Thegan eyed the other males, as well.

Thorn was smiling, a rare thing, but who wouldn't be smiling like a fool after being in her embrace. Vi’kail looked like he had a tight rein on the hunger with which he’d struggled and was smiling at her softly in welcome. Seeing that, Thegan turned back to her, giving her his own smile and letting her see in his eyes that none of them were upset.

“Mmm, good rising, my sweetling,” he purred, snatching her off her feet as soon as she came within reach, settling her on his lap.

Brushing the hair back from her face, he carded his fingers through it, enjoying the feel of the softness against his skin almost as much as he enjoyed her slight weight on his cock.

He heard the almost silent breath she released as she curled up against him, yawning and arching into his stroking hand.

“What are y’all talking about?”

He paused in his combing for a moment, exchanging a glance with the others. The looks on their faces said in no uncertain terms they were leaving it to him to break the news to her.

Ah, the downside of being the diplomatic one.

“Vi’kail says we will reach the outskirts of the slave market this night,” he murmured, gazing down at her when she tipped her head back to look at him. “We will need to move with stealth. We cannot be caught,” he stressed.

A frown flickered across her hornless brow. “I know that, but I feel like you’re leading up to something, here. You’ve all got these looks like you’re walking on eggshells. Just spit it out.”

Walking on eggshells?

The image that popped into his mind was both amusing and confusing, but he thought he understood she was saying they were speaking around the issue instead of speaking plainly. She was not wrong.

“You are perceptive, my Vee,” he muttered.

She snorted. “Pretty sure y’all are just terrible at hiding what you’re feeling.”

Thegan knew that was not it. Well, perhaps for himself that was true. He did not know as he did not make a habit of watching his own face. But Vi’kail was like water, calm on the surface and hiding a great many things beneath, and Thorn’s emotions were expressed with only slight variations to his scowl or usual grimness. No, they were not easy to read. She’d just come to know them well enough to see beneath the surface of their expressions.

Since gentling her to it was not working, he said plainly, “We cannot take them with us. Those that wish may stay here, and we will try to return to take them to the complex. But I imagine most will scatter once we are gone.”

Vee sighed deeply. He could see the thoughts turning in her mind and imagined she was trying to think of another solution. Before she got a chance to either argue or agree, a hard voice interrupted.

“I am going with you.”

Turning, Thegan saw one of the slaves step out from behind a nearby wall. It was the golden male who’d passed off the ring before it could finish his healing. Thegan tensed, suspicious.

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