He takes my words seriously and doesn't treat me like I'm a hysterical woman, which I appreciate. "We will consider your suggestion. You should consider doing the same. As a Sanctuary in the process of rebuilding, you're far more vulnerable than we are."
I nod though he can't see it. "I'll speak with Wolfe about it, but I'm certain he'll agree." I'm not certain he'll agree, actually. I can almost never tell what Wolfe is thinking and he often chooses the opposite path of what I believe he'll choose. But I'll make him see how serious this is, if it kills me. I'll do whatever it takes to keep the flu out of our Sanctuary.
"Skye," Taran’s voice comes over the radio again. "I worry about you, big sister. Your journey with distributing the vaccine ended so abruptly. I know you didn’t choose to stay behind, that you were forced to remain in Santa Fe. Please take care of yourself and let me know if you need anything. I’ll make it happen.”
I smile, a genuine smile that I hope my sister can feel even though she can't see it. Reading between the lines, I understand that she’s telling me she’ll come straight to my side to help if I ask her, regardless of what her fierce husband says. She worries about me. Worries that I carry weapons, worries about my hot temper, worries when I go toe to toe with male warriors.
"I will, baby sister. I plan to be around for a long time to watch all of my future nieces and nephews grow into strong adults. You keep yourself safe too, and eventually we will reunite."
"I can't wait for that day," Taran says softly.
I blink back tears and push myself away from the radio, standing. I look over at the tower operator and nod, indicating our conversation is now finished.
He settles into the seat and speaks into the microphone. "New Santa Fe Sanctuary, out."
Twenty-Two
I walk swiftly toward the Warlord’s chambers, trailed by my two guards, Kingston and Denny. When we stop outside of the massive door, I glance over my shoulder at the men. They stop and take up sentry positions on either side of the door. I find it curious that Wolfe doesn’t post guards outside of his own door, yet he insists I take mine everywhere. I wonder if they’re for my own safety or everyone else's.
Regardless, I find myself growing closer to my two guards by the day, relying more and more on their presence. Though my brand-new city council is all female, these two men play an important role by shadowing my every step, taking note of my needs and providing whatever I desire. Everything except my freedom.
I don't bother knocking on the door before pushing it open. The doors lead directly into a vestibule type room. There used to be plush couches, luxurious pillows, wall hangings and artwork in this room. Now it’s stripped bare, with nothing inviting for guests. I walk through the room, toward the solarium.
Since he didn’t greet me, I assume that Wolfe is in his private rooms, so I decide to wait for him while tending to the plants. I immediately dig my hands into the dirt and go to work pulling up weeds. I'm pleased to note the soil is now moist, not nearly as dry as it was a few weeks ago when I'd been in here. The weeds are much fewer, too. Someone has begun taking care of the solarium plants.
"You look beautiful."
I look up sharply at the sound of Wolfe’s voice. I frown at him and let out a skeptical laugh. "Beautiful?" I've never heard him say anything like that to me or anyone. Hell, I've never even heard him say a mountain or a tree or a flower was beautiful. The very idea that this man sees things in terms of aesthetics is ludicrous. He only sees blood, death and war. Not growth and beauty.
"You are uncomfortable with the idea that I think you're beautiful?" He circles around the table to the other side, as he did the last time we were in this room together. He gazes at me through the foliage as I work.
I can feel myself blushing and want to curse at my damn skin for betraying my discomfort. I don't look any different than usual. In fact, I haven't even changed that much. I continue to wear leather, though instead of pants I’m now wearing a floor-length leather skirt split up the front for easy movement in case I'm attacked. My top is a light, sleeveless shirt with a corset over top that Hannah helped lace me into. It looks good with the skirt. I'm devoid of jewelry, but that's a personal preference. Though I can appreciate a nice piece of jewelry, I've never liked having it on me. It's a hindrance when I need to move freely.
"I didn't know you could see beauty," I say sarcastically.
"Before you, I didn't know what beauty was." His words are simple, but they cause my heart to speed up in anticipation. Again, I want to curse at my physiology. Why am I so excited by a basic compliment? A compliment from a bloodthirsty Warlord. It should mean nothing to me.
"I never expected romance from you."
His gaze burns into me as he pauses before he speaks. I feel uncomfortable, so I drop my gaze to the soil where my fingers are working diligently. "Truth is not romance."
I'm becoming uncomfortable at the way my heart is pounding too hard. I want to grab my chest and force my heart to calm down before I have to loosen my corset, but my hands are now covered in dirt. I lift them up and look at them.
"Come with me, we’ll get your hands washed and then we can eat." Wolfe circles the table and reaches for me.
I step quickly away, not wanting to feel his touch. Not right now. Not while we’re speaking so honestly and intimately. It feels too real, too much.
Instead of grabbing me as I thought he might, he simply waves his hand toward the Warlord’s bedchamber. I walk through the door ahead of him, moving toward a bowl on the table next to the window.
I use the pitcher next to the bowl to fill it with water, then dip my hands in and rub them together, scrubbing the dirt from beneath my fingernails. I smile down at the water as I realize the irony in dressing up for a fancy meal with the Warlord and then immediately sticking my hands in dirt. It's as though I think they belong there. In the dirt, in the trenches with the common people. I'm uncomfortable with the idea of being elevated. I always have been. Even when I lived in the palace harem with the other women, I longed to be part of the bustling city below. To live in a house, maybe with a family, to work a real job.
I jump as Wolfe steps up to my back, the barest hint of his chest touching me. He reaches around either side of me and dips his hands in the water with mine. I freeze, unable to move. I don't push him away, don't ask him to stop. Instead, I just feel.
Feel as his long, strong fingers slide down my wrists and wrap around my hands in the water. His hands are so much bigger that they cover mine completely. I watch, mesmerized, as one at a time he scrubs each of my fingers. He takes his time, going at a leisurely pace as he touches me.
My body grows warm as heat trickles through me, starting in my hands where he's touching me, in my back where his chest is touching, rushing through my body's nerve endings, sparking sensations throughout. This is a seduction. He’s seducing me. It's the strangest seduction I've ever known, though. He makes almost no moves on me, but then invites me here for a meal and washes my hands for me. It shouldn't be so erotic, but I can feel my body flooding with desire. Feel the press of his cock against my lower back.