Bound at the Ball (Siren Publishing Allure) by Lea Barrymire Page B

find me when you arrive.” Matner turned and stalked off.
    The drive back to his home seemed to take an eternity. He’d hoped to have Rella next to him. He wanted to be touching her, burying his fingers into her slick channel while she squirmed in his lap. The ride home he envisioned was nothing like the lonely path he took now. Fucking raiders. How there were such uncivilized groups still living and thriving on the planet surprised him. His group of soldiers was always being sent into the desert to track those groups, who seemed only trying to want to disrupt the lives of everyone in the city.
    His emotions ranged from anger to something close to fear. He wanted to be the one to welcome Rella to his home, but now he’d have to send a servant and hope she’d come peacefully. He watched the little blinking light on his locator program that showed him her every movement. She indeed had gone home, but why? If she’d been lying to him while in the room, lulling him into thinking that she was obeying and then ran, she’d be punished severely. He was looking forward to her being outspoken, but he would not allow her to lie to him. But if she left the gathering because she was ill or harmed in any way, then he was scared for her. Why hadn’t she come to him?
    He growled in frustration. He rarely felt like his obligation as a warrior was restrictive. Usually being a warrior was a boon, gaining him status where he wouldn’t have had any. Tonight being a soldier was a nuisance that he really wished he could turn down. He hoped that if Rella had run from him that she’d see a servant as someone she could confide in, and perhaps whomever he sent would be able to talk her into coming with them. He didn’t want to force her, but if she didn’t accept the ride, he would go to her home and drag her out. He sighed. He hated violence against females. If she forced his hand, though, she would find that he could definitely behave like the male she’d expected. He could be mean, controlling, and harsh.

Chapter 9
     
    “Yes, master, I understand your directive.”
    Sabar sat at the table within his home, grumpy and concerned. He’d gathered his armor and weapons and just needed to settle the instructions for Rella’s collection. He hoped her reasons for leaving the ball were good enough to avoid punishment.
    While his manservant made a quick meal, Sabar had instructed him to go and collect Rella from her home. He turned to face Tannard, the only servant his parents had allowed him to remove from their home when Sabar moved into his own dwelling. “Repeat my directive, please. I want to make sure you will follow what I’ve said and not your interpretation of my words.”
    “You have instructed me to travel to the Cinders’ dwelling and bring your mate home without harming her. If she resists, I am to leave her and you will attend to her after you are back from your mission.”
    “That is perfect. You will contact me as soon as you have information about her. I want to know the moment she agrees to travel home with you.” A flicker of something in the wrinkled face of his servant made him add another thought to his instructions. “And, Tannard, you will not lift a hand against her. She is mine to deal with, do you understand?”
    “Yes, sir.” With a bow Tannard turned toward the door. “I will contact you the moment I know anything. Talk to you soon, Master Sabar.”
    Sabar watched the stooped back of the other man until Tannard had slowly climbed into the vehicle he’d use to visit Rella. He wondered again if he should just go to Rella’s home and collect her and not send his servant. Going against orders was tantamount to desertion, though. He couldn’t see his commander allowing him to miss a mission only because of a wayward mate.
     
    * * * *
     
    Rella wiped Marena’s forehead for the hundredth time, cooing softly to her sister in hopes of giving some comfort. The fever was fierce and wasn’t reacting to