Knightqueen (Oronis Knights #3)

He wondered what would kill him first—the planet, or his need for Carys.

CHAPTER FOUR

The pretty glade was just a distant memory.

Carys trudged behind Sten, staring at his broad back. He’d been quiet since he’d rushed to her rescue in the water.

Being held against his hard body, his callused palm caressing her breast…

She almost tripped, her belly fluttering. The man had no clue what he did to her. He’d left her in that small pool with her skin itchy and hot need thrumming through her.

How many times had she touched herself, thinking about him? She bit her lip, feeling a little guilty.

He’d barely looked at her for the last hour. Her shoulders slumped. She’d been naked, and he couldn’t get away fast enough.

She focused on walking. They were headed back down into another deep ravine. There had been no other way to cross it. She paused, staring out across the mountains. A wind had picked up and tugged at her hair. The mountain range had a rugged beauty, despite the danger. They reminded her a bit of Sten.

“Carys?”

He was farther down the path, looking back at her.

She hurried to catch up to him.

“Stay alert,” he warned. “There are no doubt more alien beasts down here.”

She nodded. She was still worried about how they were going to get off this planet. Her stomach turned over. The Gek’Dragar were planning something. It was the only reason why they would’ve taken her.

They wanted to destabilize the Oronis, and use her to do it. She wasn’t sure exactly what they had planned, but she knew it would be nothing good.

She swallowed. She had to save her people.

It was times like this that she wished her parents were still alive. Her heart squeezed. That she had someone to talk to.

It was easy to feel alone sometimes. She could be standing in the middle of a crowded ballroom, with dozens of people desperate to talk to her, and still feel alone.

“Hey.” Sten grabbed her arm. Then he held out a water bottle. “Drink.”

Only one person in her life made her feel like she wasn’t alone. Sten was always there for her.

Because it’s his job.

She sipped the water, pushing that thought away. She needed to focus. She needed all her concentration to get across this ravine unscathed. Leaning against the rock wall, she scanned around.

Then she frowned.

Another narrow path, barely discernible, branched off, running up over part of the rocky hill. Probably made by some of the wild animals. She took a step forward and saw a glimmer of something at the top of the rise.

“Carys?”

She handed him back the bottle. “I saw something reflect from up there.”

Sten spun, a hand pressed to his hip. Then he straightened. “I see it.”

“We should check it out.”

He frowned. “It could be Gek’Dragar.”

“Or it could be something that might help us. We’ll be careful.”