Page 3 of Shielded Heart

“More likely to bruise myself on your ego than the other way around, Arc.”

Arcanthus opened his mouth to reply but realized quickly that he had no retort; there was no arguing against what Drakkal had said.

They continued onward in silence, and the Undercity streets grew crowded and noisy as they left the alleys and side streets behind. Arcanthus was more eager to get back home with each step. Business that forced him out of his sanctuary was rare, and it always irked him. There was too much that could go wrong out here, too many variables beyond his control. If he had to be away, he found it far more pleasant to be doing what hewantedrather than cleaning up messes or putting out fires.

When they arrived at the hovercar, Drakkal climbed into the driver’s seat and Arcanthus into the passenger’s. The control boards bathed the pair in a soft, bluish glow as Drakkal engaged the engines and began their ascent to the express tunnels.

“We’re alone now,” Drakkal said. “Talk.”

“I’ve nothing to say,” Arcanthus replied.

“Arc.Out with it.”

Arcanthus released a heavy breath. “I want a terran.”

Drakkal glanced sharply at Arc, narrowing his eyes. “What the hell do you mean you want a terran?”

“I used the simplest language I could.”

“No, just the vaguest.”

“I want a terran. Afemaleterran.” Raising a hand, Arcanthus swept back his long, black hair, tucking the loose strands behind his horns. “I fail to see what’s so difficult to understand.”

“You just going to call a purveyor and buy one?Kraasz ka’val, Arcanthus, you should know better after what we’ve been through.”

Arcanthus glared at Drakkal. “I didn’t say that, damn it. Terrans have been migrating to Arthos for two years. I’ll locate one who’s already here.” When the azhera just stared at him, Arc added, “I’mnotabducting anyone, Drak.”

“I know you. You bend the rules when you want something.”

Hovercars and express tunnel walls flitted by in a blur outside the cab.

“Youwanted me to talk about it,” Arcanthus said.

“Yeah. So I could tell you not to be stupid.”

“Says the one who swallows a kilogram of his own fur over the course of every year.”

“I told you,” Drakkal growled, “there’s scientific research that proves azhera tongues are some of the cleanest in the known universe.”

Arcanthus smirked. “Have you looked around the universe, my friend? The standard isn’t set particularly high. But if youmustknow, that female terran intrigued me. Hell, if she hadn’t been mated to the zenturi, I’d have had her bent over my desk by the end of that first meeting. I saw it in her eyes.”

Drakkal snorted and shook his head. “You say that about every female. Have you forgotten how much trouble you’ve caused because you can’t keep your pants on?”

“I don’t wear pants. Only averylong loin cloth.”

“Vrek’osh, you know what I mean!”

“Now who’s irritable?”

“Arcanthus, I will—”

“I promise you, Drakkal, this is different.”

“How?”

“Because itis, all right? What harm is there in finding a curious terran, bringing her to my workshop, and potentially learning a few new ways to give and receive pleasure?”

Drakkal shook his head, lips curling to display his fangs. “You metoneterran, and you’ve been obsessed with them ever since.”

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