Page 30 of Kazzon's Human Bride
“It is highly inappropriate to ask questions about another Tarrkuan male, Caylee, especially to ask where one lives.” His fingers dug into her arms so hard she flinched. “Were you planning to visit him?”
“Please,Xerr, you’re hurting me.” Tears brimmed in her eyes.
Jealous. He was jealous, that much was obvious, but God she hadn’t anticipated an innocent question setting him off like this. Did he realize she barely knew Varro? The only contact she’d had with him had been a few pleasantries exchanged, during the times she called Julie but he answered the video comm first.
Kazzon released her and rose to his feet. He stood beside the bed, still gloriously naked, as waves of anger radiated off his massive form. She shuddered as he glared down at her. She opened her mouth to explain her reasons for wanting to know where Varro lived, only for him to interrupt her again.
“Eat breakfast and get dressed.” He retrieved a clean set of clothing from a dresser and quickly donned the black pants and shirt. As she watched him dress, words failed her, because her mouth was suddenly too dry, and her throat too tight. He put his boots on and headed for the door. “I will return soon, and when I do, we will discuss your insubordination.”
Her heart sank as he strode into the corridor. The door to his quarters closed behind him and she crawled off the bed, holding the sheets around her body. She approached the door, a cold sensation gripping her. When she walked close to the door, it didn’t open automatically like it usually did, nor did it open when she pushed on it.
No matter what she tried, the door wouldn’t budge.
He’d locked her inside.
Chapter 22
Dark fury coursed through Kazzon.He stalked the corridors of the ship, his fists clenched as growls repeatedly rumbled from deep in his chest.
Fluxx, he felt ready to commit murder.
Caylee had stunned him when she started asking questions about Varro, the Tarrkuan the Allocators had assigned her to marry months ago, the very male she would’ve mated with had she not switched places with her friend.
For Caylee to boldly ask where Varro lived was unthinkable. Why did she wish to meet with the male? She’d asked about where he lived and had seemed to be on the verge of asking to visit when he’d cut her off.
Jealousy ripped through him, an ugly and bitter emotion that was as unfamiliar to him as affection. Yet he’d experienced both emotions since he’d met Caylee. Another round of growls left him, and he continued marching through the corridors.
He needed to burn some of his anger off before he returned to his bride.
He visited the bridge and spoke with the pilots for a while, then he resumed stalking the corridors. When the haze of anger began to fade, he replayed the conversation he’d had with Caylee over and over.
She hadn’t explicitly admitted she wished to speak with Varro, he reminded himself. Yet she’d wanted to know where he lived. She’d also seemed nervous as she spoke about the male.
Movement at the end of the corridor caught his eye. He glanced up and shock reverberated through him. Caylee, now fully dressed, approached him.
He growled. “I told you to remain in my quarters.”
Tremors shook her hands and she clasped them together tightly and peered up at him. “You told me to eat and get dressed,Xerr. I-I am afraid I didn’t have much of an appetite, so I didn’t eat anything, but I did get dressed. And while you did say you would deal with my insubordination when you returned, you didn’t specifically tell me to stay put.”
“I locked the door.” He made to grab her, but she backed away and put up a hand to ward him off. His fury started to return.
She exhaled a shaky breath. “Yes,Xerr, you did lock the door. But-but I was able to leave when the servant returned for the dishes. I-I sort of ran straight by him as he walked into your quarters.” Her confession stunned him, and she paused only briefly before continuing, “Please, you must listen to me. Please listen and don’t interrupt.” A pleading note tinged her voice and tears shone in her blue eyes.
“Very well,” he replied. “I will listen.”
“I wanted to know where Varro lived so that I might go and visit Julie. I-I was hoping you might permit me to visit my friend. Forgive me, but I didn’t know speaking of another male would anger you, nor did I realize it was inappropriate. However, I can assure you that my reason for asking about Varro’s home was entirely innocent. Whatever you were thinking…” Her voice trailed off and a lone tear cascaded down her cheek. “I’m not like my father. I would not betray you. Is-is that what you’re worried about?”
No black mist appeared around her head.
Kazzon felt like a fool.
Guilt ravaged him as he stared at his little mate. Another unfamiliar emotion. She’d read his unspoken suspicions correctly, but she’d refuted them. Truthfully.
The last of his anger drained from him. He took a slow step toward Caylee, but this time she didn’t back away. Gradually, he reached out to take her by her shoulders, keeping his touch gentle. She sucked in a trembling breath but stood still.
“I-I know you wanted me to stay in your quarters,Xerr, but I needed to talk to you and, um, fix this problem before it got any bigger. I hope you are not angry at me for running past the servant, but I felt it important we speak immediately.” She gave him a sad look. “I don’t want to end up like my parents.” Another tear ran down her face, but he caught this one with his thumb and wiped it away.
Again, no black mist rose around her face. Her words pleased him, and filled him with relief, but the realization that he had grossly overreacted to the situation increased the guilt flowing through him. He stared at Caylee, unsure of how to proceed.
