Page 79 of Shielded Heart

He moved faster this time, swiping at whatever was touching him. His hand encountered something thick and heavy.

Arcanthus turned his head and forced his eyes open. The room was dimly lit, and it took his eyes a few moments to adjust to the gloom and bring the dark figure beside the bed into focus.

Drakkal stared down at him, eyes glowing faintly with reflected light.

Furrowing his brow, Arc glanced back at Samantha, who lay against him, face-to-face, with one arm wrapped around his side. She was in the same state of dress as him—naked. One small shift of her arm would expose her delectable little breasts.

The realization sparked excitement in Arcanthus, immediately heating his blood—at least until his sleep-addled mind puzzled out the full situation. The same slight movement that would allow him so enticing a view would also reveal her to Drakkal, who was less than half a meter away and facing her.

Excitement gave way to fury.

Glaring over his shoulder at Drakkal—who stared back with an amused smirk—Arcanthus groped for the blanket with one hand without shifting his torso enough to move her arm. He found it bunched around their waists and quickly swept it higher, draping it over Samantha until it was tucked under her chin. His thumping heart echoed dully in his ears.

Samantha stirred. Arcanthus’s breath hitched, and he turned his attention back to her. She sighed heavily, nuzzled a little closer to him, and eased back into stillness.

Arcanthus waited several seconds before allowing himself to inhale. Looking back at Drakkal, he scowled and pointed firmly toward the door.

Drakkal shook his head. He gestured with one hand, pointing first to Arcanthus, then himself, before moving his fingers and thumb like an opening and closing mouth.

Clenching his teeth, Arc struggled to hold back a frustrated growl. He didn’t wantanyone—not even his oldest, most trusted friend—anywhere near Samantha while she was naked. She belonged to Arcanthus; her body was meant for his eyes alone. And he certainly wasn’t going to have a conversation here and now, not while it risked disturbing her rest.

Arcanthus gestured toward the door again. Drakkal repeated his prior hand movements with increased emphasis, this time pointing to the door afterward.

Get the fuck out, Arcanthus mouthed, wishing he could shout the words.

Get the fuck up, Drakkal mouthed in response.

I’m going to kill him,Arcanthus thought as he carefully disentangled his limbs from Samantha’s.

Her nostrils flared with a heavy exhalation, and a soft moan sounded in her throat. Arcanthus froze and watched, muscles tense, as she pulled the bedding around her body like a velvety cocoon, nestled her face into the pillow, and settled.

Drakkal backed away, and Arcanthus, disturbing the bedding as minimally as possible, slipped off the bed. Arc kept his eyes on her briefly before he crept away, following the azhera to the door. The bedroom air was chilly against his sleep-warm skin, and his arms felt oddly…empty. He’d never been as content and comfortable as he was with her body against his.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept in the same room as another person—it had likely been during the chaotic, jumbled days following the loss of his limbs, as he and Drakkal had fled Caldorius, and only then because the azhera refused to leave him alone. In all the years since, he’d been too uncomfortable to share a bed withanyone. He’d felt too vulnerable.

Arcanthus cast a final, longing glance at Samantha before he stepped into the hallway. The door slid shut behind him with a tap of the control panel.

Drakkal leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. “About time you—”

Snarling, Arcanthus took a single step toward Drakkal and punched him hard on the shoulder.

The azhera grunted and staggered backward, catching himself only when he flattened a palm against the wall. He rolled his shoulder. “The fuck is wrong with you?”

Arcanthus jabbed his index finger toward Drakkal, anger burning his throat as he resisted the urge to strike again. “You are no longer permitted to enter my bedchamber without my direct permission.”

Drakkal settled his hand on his shoulder, rubbing the spot Arcanthus had punched. “You’re overreacting, Arcanthus.”

Arc took a step closer and said through his teeth, “I’mnotoverreacting.”

Drakkal laughed and shook his head. “You should see yourself right now.”

“I’m serious, Drakkal.”

“So am I. If you were almost any other species, your finger isn’t the only thing that’d be wagging at me right now.”

The azhera’s words reminded Arcanthus of the cool air caressing his skin—allhis skin. But that reminder did nothing to dampen the fire inside him.

“I would lay down my life for you, Drak. And that means a lot, considering how fond I am of myself. But when it comes to her…she’smine. Only formyeyes.” Arcanthus lowered his hand, balling it into a fist. “I will not tolerate anyone seeing her naked, not even you. And that’s notjustme being a jealous, possessive asshole.”

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