Page 93 of Shielded Heart

Samantha grinned. “Yeah. Okay. Tomorrow.”

Warmth bloomed within Samantha’s chest as she left the training room. She had no doubt she’d be sore and bruised by morning, but she’d pushed herself, and that was surprisingly satisfying. Plus…she was making friends. None of the people here had turned up their noses because she was human. They’d treated her like she was already one of them. Like she was…family.

It was a feeling she’d missed. Though her grandmother had been old and infirm, and her father had always been working, both had found time to spend with Sam, and they’d loved her unconditionally. They’d given her a place where she belonged.

When she reached the bedroom, she bathed, rinsing the sweat from her skin. As she was pulling on her shirt, her stomach cramped with hunger. She hadn’t realized just how much time had passed until she checked her holocom; she’d kept herself busy for almost the entire day.

And she hadn’t seen or heard from Arcanthus once.

He’s working.

But he still needs to eat.

She latched onto that notion—it was a good excuse to see him without feeling like she was interrupting or being clingy, even if she knew in her heart that he wouldn’t mind her showing up unannounced no matter the reason.

Samantha couldn’t get over how he’d woken her that morning; he’d roused her from sleep with his clever hands and wicked tail before sliding his cock into her from behind. His fingers had explored her body as he thrust in and out of her, finally settling on her breasts to stroke her nipples. All the while, his lips had skimmed over her shoulder, neck, ear, and cheek, their contact broken only by his husky whispers. She’d shattered into a million glowing stars in his embrace.

She bit her lip and squeezed her thighs together as a thrilling thought came to her.

MaybeIcould surprisehim.

Brimming with excitement, Samantha all but ran along the corridors toward his workshop and nearly rammed into Drakkal as she rounded a corner.

She gasped, eyes wide, and reeled back. “I’m sorry!”

Drakkal halted abruptly and stared down at her, his expression unreadable. “In a hurry, terran?”

Her cheeks burned, and she clutched the sides of her shirt, ducking her head slightly. Her hair fell forward, partially blocking her face. She wasn’t sure why the azhera intimidated her so much; he’d been kind, even if he was gruff, and he was Arcanthus’s closest friend.

“I was going to find Arc to see if he was hungry,” she said.

The azhera grunted.

Samantha cringed. “Sorry.” She stepped around him. “I’ll…slow down.”

Drakkal caught her arm in one of his large hands, stopping her before she passed. His grip was surprisingly gentle. “We haven’t really talked, terran, have we?”

Samantha glanced at his hand before lifting her eyes to his. “Um, no. What…would you like to talk about?”

He turned to face her, dropping his hand away from her arm, and his shoulders rose as he drew in a deep breath. “I figured it’s only fair you know where I stand. I want to be angry at you, Samantha. Part of me even wants to hate you. Because he’s careless since you came into his life, and that carelessness has put us all in danger. It’s my job to keep him safe, and he’s making it impossible because he’s so absorbed with you.”

Samantha shrank back, chest constricting. “I-I didn’t ask him to do any of it. I didn’t know. I never would have—”

“I’m not like him, terran. Not as good with words.” He grunted again and bowed his head slightly, dropping his gaze to the floor. “I’m trying to say that Ican’tbe angry at you.Noneof this is your fault. I told myself at first that I would never understand what he sees in you, but I do. You’ve been here a few days, and you already have all three cren wrapped around your finger. That’s no accident.”

Samantha blushed and slowly raised her head.

He lifted his head as well, meeting her gaze again. “I’ve known him for a long time, Samantha. I’ve bled for him, and he’s bled for me. Before we came to Arthos… I don’t know what he told you, but I found him in abadstate. I don’t want to find him like that—or worse—again. He’s my oldest friend, and I trust him with my life, even if he acts like an arrogant asshole most of the time.”

Drakkal stepped closer to her. She reflexively backed away, but she bumped into the wall, halting her retreat.

Moving his arm with deliberate care, he settled a hand on her shoulder. “You don’t need to fear me. Arc doesn’t give his trust easily, but he’s given itallto you. So…you have mine, too. I’m here for you, Samantha. To keep you safe, just like I want to keep him safe.”

“I won’t hurt him,” Samantha said, voice full of conviction.

“I’m not worried about you hurting him, terran. I worry about Arc hurting himself.”

She frowned. “I won’t let him do that, either.”

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