Knightqueen (Oronis Knights #3)

Then the Gek’Dragar had organized the assassination of her parents. They’d tried to kill her, as well, but Sten had stopped that attack. He reached up and stroked the scars on his cheek.

“I’m surprisingly full.” She leaned back against the wall.

The candlelight made her pale skin look a deeper gold. By the stars, she was beautiful.

He cleared his throat. “Feet now.”

She huffed out a breath, but rested her feet in his lap. He soaked some fabric in water and then started cleaning her feet. They were long, narrow, and elegant. There was gold color on her toenails.

“I wonder what this planet is called,” she said. “And what happened to all the inhabitants.”

Sten remained silent. As far as he could tell, they were in Gek’Dragar space. The enemy had killed the locals, or driven them out. He had no idea if there were any left.

It was what the Gek’Dragar did.

They were selfish, only thinking of the needs of their own species. They thrived on combat, and hated any sort of harmony.

They took whatever they wanted with no regard to the consequences.

His jaw tightened. They wouldn’t take Carys again. He wouldn’t allow it.

“We need a plan, Sten.”

“You need to rest.” While she slept, he’d stand guard and make sure no one snuck up on them. “Tomorrow, the first thing we need to do is put more distance between us and the Gek’Dragar. We’ll search for a local village or settlement. If we’re lucky, we might find a communications device. We need to get a message to Oron.”

She nibbled her lip. “The Gek’Dragar are looking for us.”

“They are. But Knightmaster Ashtin and the entire Knightforce will be working to find you.” Sten called Knightmaster Ashtin Caydor a friend. The man was a dedicated knight, and Sten knew Ashtin would do everything in his power to bring the queen home.

Sten finished with her feet, and let himself have one last stroke of her heel before he gave them a tap.

As she pulled them out of his lap, they brushed his thigh, and he stifled a curse. His cock was not listening to all his reasons why he had to keep his feelings locked down.

Once they were back on Oron, it would be fine. Things would go back to normal.

He saw Carys’ eyelids droop, and then she shivered. The temperature was dropping, now that the sun was gone.

“Time to sleep,” he ordered.

With a slow nod, she climbed into the hammock. It rocked gently. Sten shifted to lean his head back against the wall.

“Sten?”

“Yeah.”

“Will you…lie with me? It’s cold, and I don’t want to be alone.”

He froze. It wasn’t right, and his control didn’t need any more testing. “I don’t think—”

“Please?”

She was his queen. He could never say no to her.

I am Knightguard Thorsten Carahan. It is my duty to protect my queen. I am her sword, her shield, and her devoted servant.

He climbed into the hammock, and it rocked more this time, as he settled his weight into it. She instantly curled into his body. She was half lying on top of him, since he took up most of the space.

As they swayed, she pressed a hand to his chest. She snuggled in and let out a sigh. “You’re so warm.”