“I’m sorry about the kids.”
It didn’t matter. He’d use all his strength and skills to find them. He was the emperor because of his strength and power.
Poppy touched his arm.
“Try not to worry. I know it’s easier said than done, believe me.” She stroked his arm. “But we have to believe that they’ll be okay.”
Warmth spread through him. He felt his muscles ease, the worry dull, and his anger start to settle.
He frowned.
Without warning, his claws retracted. He wanted to pull her close and just hold her.
Instead, he stumbled back. “What in gorr’s name are you doing to me?”
Her blue eyes went wide. “Nothing. I just wanted to help—”
“By neutering me?”
She flinched.
“Something you’re doing is calming my wolf. It’s dulling my senses, my edge. The strength I need to protect my people.”
“Brodin—”
“Don’t do it again.” His anger was back now, in full force and molten hot. “Stay away from me.”
She looked like he’d slapped her in the face.
Shoving his guilt away, he strode off.
Poppy sat on the tree branch, her chin on her knees.
The afternoon sun was spreading an orange glow over the forest city.
It didn’t make her feel better. Inside, she felt cold.
She sniffed. She hadn’t meant to make Brodin angry. She’d seen his pain, and wanted to make him feel better. They’d connected earlier in his cabin, and she’d just thought…
Ugh. She’d just made it worse.
She rubbed her cheek on her knee.
She had strange new abilities and powers, but his harsh words reminded her that despite her Damari transformation, she wasn’t really Damari. She didn’t know what the hell she was.
She couldn’t shift into a wolf. She was just a pale imitation.
Once again, she was out of step with the people around her.
You’re weird, Ellison. Too young, not normal, too odd, too boring.
She closed her eyes for a second. She wondered what it felt like to belong somewhere. Maybe she would on Zhalto.
Mal wanted Poppy to go there. To make a home there. Poppy would talk to the healers about leaving as soon as she could.
A weird tug pulled in her belly. A part of her didn’t want to go.
A part of her felt the call of the forest around her.
But Brodin didn’t want her here, and she’d already taken up too much of his time. He had a dangerous situation to deal with, and it was clear she was just in the way.
She blew out a shaky breath. She wondered how poor Fillian was.
She lifted her head and watched the sun lower toward the horizon. The forest looked bathed in light.
So beautiful.
Something about it really called to her.
The same way Brodin did. Her stomach cramped. She let out a low growl. She had to stop thinking about him.
He is not for you, Poppy Ellison.
His focus was on the missing kids, and beating Candela. Her chest tightened. God, she hoped the teenagers were okay.
This warlord Candela was pure evil, taking and hurting kids. Clearly, the Zhylaw and Zavir would cross any boundary.
She heard footsteps and saw Annora’s tall, lean form appear. The woman’s head was bent, her body as tense as a bow. She paced under the trees, her hands on the back of her neck.
She was visibly upset.
Something told Poppy that Annora didn’t show her emotions very easily.
Poppy warred with herself. She was the last person Annora would want to talk to. As Brodin had made clear, she was an outsider. Trying to help was not appreciated.
Except Poppy didn’t have it in her to just sit there while Annora was upset.
Dammit. She pushed off the branch and landed on her feet—graceful and coordinated. Wow, that was going to take some getting used to.
Annora’s head whipped up, her dark ponytail bobbing behind her. Her gaze was like a black laser beam.
Poppy squared her shoulders. “Are you all right?”
“Fine.” The word was clipped, terse.
Well, then. “Great.” Poppy swiveled and started to walk away.
“My little sister is missing. Candela has her.” There was a growl in Annora’s voice. “I can’t stand it!”
Poppy turned.
Annora’s hand snapped out and she grabbed Poppy’s arm. “If that gorr-rotten witch hurts her, or—” The First Claw’s voice cracked.
Sympathy hit Poppy. She squeezed Annora’s hand. “Be strong. Search for her and never give up. After our crash, I don’t remember much, but the warlord Krastin had me.” She shuddered. “My friend Mal never gave up looking for me. She kept searching until she freed me.”
Annora nodded, her jaw tight.
“What’s your sister’s name?” Poppy asked.
“Nayla.”
“Is she like you? A warrior?”
“No.” Annora smiled, her expression softening. “She’s sweet, kind, smart. Everyone likes her.” The woman cocked her head. “Actually, you remind me of her a bit.”
Poppy blinked.
“Nayla’s tough inside. Quietly confident.”
Poppy nodded. “Then she’ll be waiting for you. She’ll be smart, and be waiting for you to rescue her.”
That feeling of heaviness grew in Poppy’s chest again, but as she watched, Annora seemed to relax and was less tense.
The woman’s dark eyes were on Poppy. “I will confess that I didn’t like you at first. Brodin seems…entranced by you. I’m here to protect him from anything that might hurt him.”
“I’d never hurt him.” Poppy’s gut knotted. “He’s just helping me. A promise to his brother and my friend.”
“It’s more than that, and you know it.”
Poppy lifted her chin. “Well, I think he feels I’m making him…weak. He told me to stay away.”
Annora looked up at the trees. “Idiot.”
“I’m going to talk to the healers and get approval to leave for Zhalto.”
Annora’s dark gaze narrowed. “I haven’t let myself get to know you. I’m sorry for that.” The First Claw wrinkled her nose. “I’m known for quick decisions, and it also makes me quick to judge.”
“It’s fine, Annora. I won’t be here long.” Poppy’s throat tightened. “I haven’t transformed into a full Damari. I’ll be leaving soon. I can’t get back to my planet—” she felt a shot of sadness “—but my best friend Mal is on Zhalto.”
Annora studied her for a long moment, and Poppy got the feeling that Brodin’s First Claw didn’t miss anything.
“Thank you for coming to talk to me. I’m well aware you didn’t have to.”
“I didn’t do it for you. I did it to know that I did the right thing.” Poppy squeezed Annora’s hand again. “Your sister needs your strength. She needs your quick decisions. Don’t give up.”
Emotion flowed over the tough woman’s face. Suddenly, she pulled Poppy in for a hard hug.
Surprised, Poppy hugged her back, and the contact made her realize how much she missed Mal.
She hugged Annora tighter, and felt the woman relax more, while the pressure inside Poppy’s chest grew denser.