Knightqueen (Oronis Knights #3)

His serious gaze bored into hers. “Nothing is more important than your safety.” He dragged in a breath. “You need food and rest. Not to be fighting these infernal beasts.”

She reached up and touched his jaw. “Sten.”

Turbulent green eyes met hers.

“I’m with you, so I’m fine,” she said.

His face was so solemn, and her heart squeezed. She loved those rugged features.

She loved him.

Her chest squeezed. Not that he knew it. He’d be horrified to hear it. He didn’t see her as a woman, just as his queen, his duty.

She was destined to pine for a man who didn’t see her the same way.

At balls and events, men from around the quadrant praised her beauty. But the one man she wanted most, didn’t see her that way.

Oh, he knew her—what she liked, what she disliked, what made her mad, what made her happy. But he didn’t see a sensual woman.

He only saw her crown, the person he had to protect.

Sten cocked his head. “What are you thinking about?”

Sometimes he knew her too well. “Getting out of here.”

Then he glanced past her, looking down the ravine. He cocked his head, gaze narrowing.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Someone’s coming.” He scooped her up into his arms.

“You should unfasten the dura-binding,” she said. “We’ll be able to move more easily.”

“No.” He’d already refused many times before, worried the Gek’Dragar would capture them again.

He’d slipped the bond on when they’d been attacked in the palace on Oron. It couldn’t be removed by anyone else without killing both of them. It was why the Gek’Dragar had taken him, as well.

He moved along the cliff wall, and found a crack large enough for them to squeeze into. They pushed into the tight space, and he quickly stacked some rocks in front of them, then turned to her.

They were pressed together, his arms wrapped around her. She felt his hot breath on her neck and closed her eyes. He felt so big, so strong.

Then, sounds echoed in the ravine. Heavy footsteps and deep voices.

Her breath hitched.

Through a small crack in the rocks, she saw a Gek’Dragar soldier step into view.

CHAPTER TWO

By the coward’s bones.

Seeing the large form of the enemy made Sten Carahan want to charge out and kill.

The Gek’Dragar was tall, with powerful legs and broad shoulders. It was humanoid, except for the long, scaled tail behind it. A high-tech suit covered most of its body, but pale-gray, scaled skin showed on its neck and face. Two ridges ran along its cheeks, and four bony horns—two on each side—swept back from its face. The soldier had black hair that almost touched its shoulders, and its green eyes glowed in the gloom.

Sten’s jaw was so tight it ached. They’d dared to take the knightqueen. They’d invaded Oron, attacked the palace, and stolen her away.

He’d been forced to watch them hurt her and lock her up.