That was his desire.
Brodin wanted her.
“Ah, you’re starting to use those Damari senses of yours.” His voice was a low rumble. His big hand slid down her belly. One long finger rested right above her sex.
She bit her lip.
He was driving her crazy.
Well, two could play that game. She wiggled her butt against him, and he made a hoarse sound. Then she felt…
She swallowed. Wow, he was big. His hard cock brushed her lower back.
“I’m not as easy an opponent as Annora.”
There was no boast in his voice. Just the bone-deep knowledge that he was top of the food chain around here.
She smiled and brushed against him again. His fingers tightened on her, then she moved fast, using all her new speed.
She dropped and swiped out her leg, like Annora had showed her.
She clearly surprised Brodin, as he went down hard.
Grinning, she leaped and straddled his legs. “Look who’s flat on his back now.”
He smiled.
It didn’t soften his rugged face, but some of the lines of tension around his mouth eased. She liked that. Liked knowing that she—boring, smart Poppy Ellison—could help this big, wild alien king relax a little.
His hands gripped her hips. “Nice move, Poppy.”
With a tug, he pulled her up his body so that she straddled his hips.
She gasped. That big, hard bulge was right at the juncture of her thighs.
She was instantly drenched.
He groaned. “You smell so good, Poppy. It makes me wonder how you’ll taste.”
“Brodin.” She heard the need in her own voice.
With a flex of muscles, he sat up, so they were face to face and his mouth took hers.
Oh, God. The wild flavor of him hit her like an explosion.
The kiss was hard, fierce, and filled with savage possession. His tongue stroked hers and she made a sound, winding her arms around him. She melted against him.
Poppy shimmied, pure sensation shooting through her. Desire exploded low in her belly.
He made a hungry noise, part growl, part groan.
Something went off inside of Poppy. She’d never wanted anyone like this, never been wanted like this.
She pressed into that hard chest and kissed him harder. She wanted more, needed more. His mouth traveled down the side of her neck.
Oh. She arched and writhed against him, sensation swirling low. The movement brushed against her clit and felt so good. His hands were on her hips, urging her on.
Then his mouth reached where her neck met her shoulder.
Growling, he bit her.
Poppy jerked against him and came. She cried out, her body shuddering as intense pleasure washed over her.
She opened her eyes.
His burned with an inner fire. Brodin—this big, gorgeous, powerful king—wanted her.
“I want to bite you,” she panted.
God. Had those words really come out of her?
His eyes flashed. Then, he tilted his head.
She stared at his skin, her heart thumping hard in her chest. All that beautiful bronze skin. She leaned close and sniffed him—such a sexy, earthy male scent.
Her belly tightened. She was turned on again. She peppered kisses over his salty skin.
He let out a low groan.
She scraped her teeth over his neck, felt his pulse beating under his skin.
She bit him.
His body jolted. “Poppy.”
His hand tangled in her hair, and he tugged her mouth to his. His tongue stroked hers, the kiss raw and powerful. Poppy wanted him—desperately.
Right there, right now.
Suddenly, Brodin tensed, his mouth lifting off hers.
Dazed, Poppy blinked. No. She wanted to drag his mouth back to hers. She followed his gaze.
A man was standing nearby, studiously looking away from them. He was muscled and strong, and she guessed he was probably one of Brodin’s cleavers.
Brodin sighed and pushed up, lifting her with him.
“We’ll finish this later,” he murmured. He stroked his thumb over her lips.
She couldn’t help herself. She nipped his thumb and saw that gold sheen roll over his eyes.
“You tempt my wolf, Poppy Ellison.”
She’d never tempted anyone before.
She liked it.
He took her hand. “Luka.”
The man turned and lowered his gaze. “Emperor.”
“What is it?”
“A tracker came in from Pennata. He saw the warlord Candela.”
Poppy gasped.
Brodin stiffened. “Where?”
“Close to Kalmia, sire.”
Brodin looked at Poppy. “A small town an hour north of Accalia.”
“She was with several Zhylaw, and moving away from the city,” Luka added.
Poppy felt a prick of unease.
Candela was moving away from the city? What had she been doing here in the first place?
“All right, find Annora, and call a meeting with the cleavers,” Brodin ordered.
The man snapped to attention and nodded. “Yes, sire.”
Then both men tensed. Poppy heard someone running in their direction.
She turned and saw Annora sprinting at full speed, her long legs moving fast.
“Brodin!” Annora’s eyes were wide. “There’s a fight in the city. In the market.”
“Who’s attacking?”
“No one.” Annora shook her head. “Our people are rampaging. The citizens of Accalia are fighting each other.”
Chapter Ten
Brodin’s blood fired.
Candela. She’d caused this.
“Poppy, stay here.”
She lifted her chin. “No. I might be able to help.”
He ground his teeth together. Her cheeks were still flushed from what they’d been doing before. But the hard, stubborn glint in her eye said she wasn’t going to budge.
Gorr.
“Let’s go. Stay close.” He looked over Poppy’s head and met Annora’s gaze.
Look out for her.
His First Claw nodded.
They moved into a jog, Luka with them. As they neared the marketplace, he heard shouts, growls, screams, and things crashing.
His gut hardened, and his claws sliced out.
He picked up speed and turned the corner.
Stalls were overturned, the square was littered with broken and damaged goods, and Damari were fighting. A few were in wolf form, the rest in a part shift, with their claws slashing. Some people were curled on the ground, bleeding.
Brodin threw his head back and howled. Then he looked at Poppy, already feeling his wolf tugging at him, desperate to enter the fight and save his people.
“Poppy, stay back.”
She nodded, her face pale as she took in the destruction. “Go.”
He, Annora, and Luka raced into the fight. Brodin tore two fighters apart, tossing them aside. He saw a crying child in the midst of the chaos.
Brodin charged in, knocking a wolf aside, and leaped over a broken, overturned stall.
He scooped up the crying girl.
“E-Emperor,” she sobbed.
“You’re okay now.” He ran to a nearby closed doorway and thumped his fist on it.
The door cracked open, and the eye of a frightened woman looked through. She saw the girl and nodded. “I’ll take her.”
“Stay inside.” He handed the girl over. “Keep the door locked.”