Chapter 44 Kaed （Bonus Scene）
Kaed
Bonus Scene
“Harder!” She really loved to be pushed to her limits. “Go harder, Azahara.” The noise she exuded made it difficult to concentrate on his own rhythm. “That’s it, incredible,” Karver crooned, just as Azahara demolished the training dummy with one final kick.
She swiped the back of her hand across her forehead before leaning to one side and resting her hand on her hip. “Thanks,” she said with bated breath. “What is that now, one hundred and twenty-six?” The Cheshire grin that appeared made his heart flutter. “The Coin Master must be pleased with that.”
“The Commander hasn’t commented, but I can inquire if you’d like.” Karver approached, completing his claps of approval.
Observing her eye roll and groan, she waved her hand dismissively. “No, that’s fine. I’ll just imagine the king being pissed.”
Kaed chuckled, momentarily ignoring his task until, “Blackfyre, are you going to fire the arrow or...” A ranger interrupted his brief lapse.
The arrow stayed taut for an unknown duration, his shoulders protesting, urging him to release.
Pointing at the target, the red circle calling, he exhaled and let the arrow go, which hissed through the air and thumped into the target.
Hitting its mark, he lowered the bow. His gaze returned to Azahara, now attended to by Illyan, who was enamored with Karver.
They praised her progress, and although Kaed acknowledged Karver’s substantial help, he believed most of her strength came from training with Zhal.
He was sure that Illyan knew that to be the case, but given their infatuation with Karver, the effusive praise didn’t surprise him.
“Civilians are starting to flood in.” His attention returned to his brethren, resting their bows and quivers down.
The Ossodian, Axel, rubbed the back of her neck.
“I understand we need the help, especially with as many enemies as your mate says there are. However, untrained soldiers will only be a buffer. They’ll be slaughtered. ”
He sighed heavily as a human male joined them while the others retreated for the lunch hour. “You know that this is the way. All able-bodied men and women—”
“Have to answer the call, I understand that” she cut in. “All I’m saying is there will be senseless death. Why can’t we ambush them in Helgum? Gather all Magic users and have them torch the place?”
Kaed shrugged. “It’s the king’s decision.
You’ve seen how Helgum is laid out, and with the Magic of an Elder in Thall’s hands, being in such a confined location could mean immediate death for everyone.
Being out in an open field serves us much better than fighting in what is essentially an underground canyon. ”
The human male nodded. “Plus if I were Thall, I would assume that was what was coming. It’s plausible he thinks you and your mate are too scared to say anything—the fear of his retaliation.”
That notion had crossed Kaed’s mind. Azahara’s words echoed. “Tell me something that, if I betrayed you and spoke of it, you would kill me for it.” Thall would come for her, and he had to be strong enough to protect her. He was prepared to sacrifice everything to ensure nothing would happen to her.
He did not believe Thall was unaware of their movements, but refrained from expressing that to the rangers.
“You could be right. Let’s continue training and assist the civilians in preparing as best we can.
Many prefer wielding a sword over a bow, but let’s offer our skills for those who choose the latter. ”
They both saluted and stepped away.
“You’re sexy when you take charge.” Her silky tone sent a chill up his back. “Okay, you are sexy all the time, but even more so when you issue commands like that.”
With a throaty chuckle, he turned to welcome her as she approached. “Red.” He placed his hand behind her neck, pulling her flush against his body. “Is that a not-so-subtle hint of need I hear?” The blush blossoming across her cheeks filled his stomach with elation.
Her hands rested against his chest. “Well”—her fingers tugged at his tunic—“you know how I am after training.”
The rumble in his chest prompted him to wrap an arm around her shoulder, pulling her tight and eliciting a cute laugh. She threw her head back and encircled her arms around his torso.
His hand began snaking down her back, and a sudden gasp slipped from her lips as he grabbed hold of her ass and squeezed it with need. “Kaed, there are so many people!”
“So?” He leaned in, kissing her neck. “I’m not doing anything particularly bad right now.” Playfully growling against her skin, he added, “Plus, it’s your own fault. Why did you wear these pants? They wedged between your cheeks, and by the gods, they bounce nicely when you kick.”
She squealed and swatted him, causing him to let out a coughed breath. Gods. He released her and rubbed his chest, eyeing her playfully. She’s getting so much stronger.
“Listen, Mister.” Her feigned attempt at acting surprised by his flirting filled his heart with love.
“I need to shower before anything is touched. I’ve been up before the sun this morning, and Karver is relentless.
I swear it’s that Commander telling him to push me as if he wants me to suffer. ” She rolled her shoulders and groaned.
He grinned. It was obvious she wasn’t a fan of Commander Latimer. “I appreciate what he’s doing for you. Karver, that is.” He ran his fingers gently across her jaw, cupping tenderly at her cheek. “You want to be challenged; I can tell.”
Her gaze held his. “Yeah, sure.” Her lips pierced. “Maybe we can train? I know you’ve been busy with your brethren, but even just a little a day would be nice.”
The way his heart thrust against his chest nearly sent him to his knees. “Of course, Red. All you ever have to do is ask, and it’s yours.” He wrapped both arms around her head and smothered kisses across her face. “We can start tomorrow, how’s that?”
Tilting her head and lifting onto her tiptoes, she whispered against his lips before stealing them for herself, “Sounds perfect.”
After releasing her to shower, Kaed sought lunch and checked in on Zhal.
There had been no change, and although that did not surprise him, he held hope that one day they’d walk in with her sitting upright, ready to kill Illyan.
It still affected Azahara, but hope seeped further daily into her that Zhal would recover.
Her heart still pumped, and even with no brain function, it was promising that she fought to return to them.
He knew if anyone could do it, it was that Vaeragi.
She’d battle Death itself to return to Azahara if she had to, and there was no question about that.
As the sky blanketed in orange hues, he found Azahara finishing dinner with Karver and Illyan. “See you two tomorrow!” Her voice rang over the loud chatter of the camp. When she stood to take her plate, Karver took it from her grasp.
“I’ve got it. Have a good night.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, see you tomorrow, Aza.”
Although there was no jealousy, it did strike a strange chord how attentively Karver cared for Azahara. He had explained that his orders were to watch over her, and that was precisely what he was doing.
But still…
“Ready?” She stole his attention, her beautiful smile captivating him. “What is that look for?”
“Nothing, I think your overthinking has rubbed off on me.” His arm wrapped around her shoulder, pulling her close. “How was dinner?”
“Good, feels too casual with a war looming ahead, but I’ve never fought in one, so I’m not the greatest judge of these feelings.”
He chuckled. “When we are about ready to go into battle, things will shift. You’ll be able to tell.
Most will drink and be merry to try and dismiss the nerves.
” She slipped her fingers into his and rested her head between his arm and chest crook.
“Then there will be some that will stand in silence, knowing what is about to come.”
“That will be me.” She snaked her arm around his waist.
“I’ll keep you safe, Red.” He could tell that wasn’t what concerned her, and as he opened the tent flap, he continued, “Let’s not worry about it right now. How does a massage sound? You have been working so hard, and I can tell you are tense.”
A sheepish expression crossed her face. “Can I give you one first?”
“Oh?” He let her go as she moved across the room, pulling her shirt over her head.
By the Goddess, if you could see yourself through my eyes.
The admiration in his gaze as she pulled her skin-tight pants off made her blush.
“Take it all off, and you can, yes.” The command in his tone made her eyes round.
“What? You liked it earlier. Is there a problem now?”
She shook her head, placing her arms behind her back.
His head tilted, observing her closely. He saw the bumps rolling down her arm as he paid careful attention.
The bra came undone and was released to the floor without hesitation, her peaked nipples begging for him to take them between his teeth.
They were delicate, just like the rest of her body was.
While she was soft, with no harsh lines and all curves, she was strong.
Her powerful legs, which he was excited to have wrapped around him soon, flexed as she brought her panties down, kicking them to the side.
“Perfection,” he praised. Regardless of her self-perception, she found pleasure in the affirmation.
“Now you,” she said breathlessly, her hands shifting awkwardly, trying to find the best placement. The thought of tying them behind her back made his already stiffened cock twitch in his pants.