His eyes widened. “It didn’t sound this good before.”
“I made a few enhancements.”
He just stared at her.
She shrugged. “I’m good with machines, Brodin. It’s my thing.”
He turned to the mechanica of him with his giant axe. He wound it. The Brodin figure crouched, then sprung up, chopping his axe sideways.
Brodin shook his head. “No mechanica has ever moved like this.” He looked at her. “You’re a genius.”
Poppy felt heat in her cheeks. “Like I said, I’m good at it, and I enjoy discovering how things work, and making them better.”
“I need to introduce you to my science team. They’re struggling to increase the efficiency of our solar-power generators.”
“I could take a look.”
He cupped her cheek. “But not right now.”
He looked so tired and she really just wanted to see him switch off for a bit. “How about I make us a warm drink?”
His lips twitched. “Do you know what drinks we have?”
“Nope. But I’m a genius, remember. I’ll work it out.”
“There’s a tin filled with dried cala leaves. Brewed with hot water, they make a soothing drink.”
“I’m on it.” She left him sitting on the couch and banged around in his kitchen. She found a device to boil water, filled it, and set it humming. After a search of the cupboards, she found a tin filled with what looked like tea leaves.
She found two, large handmade mugs. They were both painted with images of the forest. She poured the tea, then carried the mugs back out.
And found Brodin asleep on the couch.
Her heart squeezed. He didn’t look any less deadly or powerful. She set the mugs on the table and walked over to him.
Then following the urge inside her, she sat beside him. His arm shot out and tugged her against him. She looked at his face, but he was still asleep.
She pressed her face to his chest and snuggled in. She felt the stress and worry leak out of her. Right then and there, she didn’t worry about the fact she could never return to Earth, or that she was now part-Damari, or that there was an evil warlord lurking around.
She breathed in Brodin’s spicy, male scent and closed her eyes.
Brodin woke on his couch, a small, warm female in his arms.
He opened his eyes and saw Poppy’s blonde head. Her palm was splayed across his chest and he was pleased to see her broken finger was healing.
He stroked a hand down her back and she made a contented sound.
He’d slept well. Better than he’d slept in a long time. This felt good. He cupped her hip, fighting hard to find some control.
What was it about this woman?
Blue eyes opened and she looked at him. “Hi.”
“Hello.”
“Well, I guess we fell asleep,” she said.
He toyed with her hair. “For a few hours.”
Her gaze traced over his face, then dropped to his lips. Brodin’s cock lengthened. “You look at my mouth like that and there’s only one thing I can do.”
Poppy’s gaze met his. “What?”
He closed the gap and kissed her.
She moaned, her hand fisted against his chest. Brodin slid a hand into her hair, cupping the back of her neck, making him realize how small and delicate she felt. But he was quickly learning there was nothing delicate about Poppy Ellison. That body was small, but inside, she was quiet, unwavering strength.
Her tongue touched his and he groaned. Then she went wild. She kissed him back enthusiastically, and her fingers dug into him and he felt the prick of claws.
She knocked her teeth against his, then shifted and almost landed on his rock-hard cock. Breaking the kiss, he gripped her hips. “Easy.”
She huffed out a breath. “Sorry. I’m not good at this—”
He tightened his grip with one hand, then with the other, gripped her chin. “Whoever told you that was an idiot.”
Her nose wrinkled. “An ex.”
“Nothing you’ve told me about men on Earth is improving my view of them.”
“I…like being good at things, and I hate when I’m not.”
Brodin smiled. “Getting good takes practice.” He drew her back down. “Now, stop thinking and just feel.”
He kissed her again, slow but firm. He nibbled at her lips, his own desire coiling tight. Listening to the sounds she made turned him on. He opened his mouth and drove his tongue deep. She kissed him back, tongues dueling, and her body arching against his.
By the wolves, he felt like he was going to combust. Changing the angle, he deepened the kiss, drawing in every secret of her sweet, little mouth.
With another moan, she rubbed against him, almost frantic. He sucked on her tongue, fighting back a growl at the taste of her.
She made him think of hot, slick bodies rolling on cool grass under moonlight.
Mine. His wolf echoed the word in his head.
Then he heard light, running footsteps coming fast. He ripped his mouth off Poppy’s. They were both panting.
She blinked, her cheeks flushed. “Brodin—”
The front door burst open, and Annora stalked inside, her face slick with panic.
“Brodin, a group of teenagers decided to sneak out during the night and search for Fillian. Their parents found their beds empty this morning. They left a note, and they haven’t returned.”
Cursing, Brodin set Poppy aside and rose.
“Some of the parents tried to track them in the safe zone.” She released a breath. “They lost the trail. It was overlaid by a strong chemical scent with a tinge of decay.”
Poppy gasped. “The…thing that tried to attack those two teenagers I helped. It smelled exactly like that.”
Fear was like a punch to Brodin’s chest. The gorr-cursed kids. Hotheads, all of them.
Annora’s jaw worked, something dark moving in her eyes. “My sister’s with them. And Tolf’s younger brother, and three others.”
Gorr. “Get a team of cleavers. We have to find them. Fast.”
With a swift nod, Annora turned and ran out, her ponytail whipping behind her.
Poppy stood. “Candela appears to be targeting your teens.”
He ground his teeth together. “Yes. They’re mature enough to make good test subjects, but not as hard to contain as an adult.” The warlord would pay.
“I’m coming with you.”
Brodin frowned. “No, I don’t want—”
Her chin lifted. “I’m coming. I’m not just sitting here while those kids are in danger.”
Her voice wavered. He knew she was thinking about her sister.
“I know all these Damari senses are new to me, but I can help, and I want to learn. I need to learn. Somehow, I felt that Fillian was close. Maybe I can do the same with these teenagers.”
Brodin stared at her. At that pretty face, and the fierce determination on it. These women from Earth were tough to the bone.
“Please, Brodin.”
The truth was, he didn’t want her out of his sight. He couldn’t quite explain it, but the protective need inside him was almost overpowering. He might function better with her beside him.
And she was right. While Brodin had scented Fillian, Poppy had known how to find the young man. How, Brodin couldn’t quite explain, but she could help.