Defender (Battle Born Book 4) by Cyndi Friberg Page B

Questions about her children were guaranteed to darken her mood and her mood was plenty dark already. “My daughter’s wellbeing is none of your business.”
    “I only ask because you’ve been so distracted by her situation.”
    Wanting the conversation over, so they could move on to more interesting pursuits, she gave in and updated him. “Chandar’s mental health is still fragile, but the hybrid healer seems to be a legitimate benefit. I’ve felt ripples of Chandar’s power and both my agents at Lunar Nine advice patience. I’m inclined to agree.”
    He nodded and dared to glance at her. “How much longer will you wait to go get her? I know you’ve missed her terribly.”
    “Soon. Her power needs to be a bit stronger before she’s ready for my return.” She put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Now are you ready to submit or should we move this into the playroom?”
    After indulging in a sexy smile, he raised his brawny arms and interlaced his fingers behind his head. He moved his legs farther apart, drawing her attention to his massive erection. “Forgive me, mistress. I await your command.”
    * * * * *
    Chandar awoke the following morning feeling refreshed and relaxed for the first time since her rescue. Her conversation with Raylon hadn’t ended the way she’d wanted it to, but they’d made progress, significant progress. The memory of their kisses had followed her into sleep, filling her dreams with sensual possibilities.
    She showered, and dressed in one of her harbinger robes. It had been fun to play dress up, but she needed to deal with reality now. Her recovery was also progressing. Not as quickly as she would have liked, yet each day brought her a bit closer to her goals.
    Danvier was in the dining room when she arrived. She greeted him with a smile then went to the nutria-gen and made her selections.
    “Where did you go when you left us last night?” His tone was casual, nonconfrontational. Still she understood what he was really asking. Had she spent last night in Raylon’s bed?
    “I spoke briefly with Raylon, then went to my suite.” She set down her tray and joined him at the table. “Did you guys just finish that one episode or did you watch more?”
    “We just finished the one. We’ll be watching more this evening.”
    Zilor and Indigo walked in a few minutes later and the conversation flew around the table. Indigo was good at engaging everyone in conversations. She was funny and likable, two characteristics that would never apply to Chandar.
    “You’re awfully quiet this morning,” Indigo said as the men paused for bites of their food.
    “I was just listening.” Chandar manufactured a smile.
    Raylon entered the room, drawing Chandar’s attention like a magnet. He paused at the nutria-gen kiosk for a mug of fragrant civata brew then sat beside her. “Good morning.” He angled his chair so he could look at her without twisting his neck. “Did you sleep well?”
    “Not as well as I did the night before.” Heat crawled up her neck at her own boldness.
    “We’ll have to do something about that. Won’t we?”
    Before she could answer, a stranger entered the dining room. With closely clipped dark hair, squared shoulders, raised chin, and piercing blue-ringed eyes, his bearing was blatantly militant. The gold stripes on his black uniform were slightly wider than Raylon’s and the emblem on his chest was even more elaborate. Chandar quickly analyzed the clues. There was only one rebel with a rank higher than Raylon’s. This was Garin Nox.
    Garin stopped just inside the room and assessed the situation. His gaze quickly swept the occupants and landed on Chandar.
    She sank down in her chair, barely resisting the urge to crawl under the table.
    Raylon caught her elbow and whispered, “It’s all right, love. I know why he’s here. You don’t need to be afraid of Garin.”
    “I can’t do this.” She tried to scoot her chair back, but suddenly Indigo was behind