Bastial Sentinels (The Rhythm of Rivalry: Book 5) by B.T. Narro Read Free Book Online Page A

you. Though I do imagine Goldram will be changing quickly. I can’t be the only one who’s frightened by this news. People will panic and flee.”
    Jek nodded. “I’m sorry. I must get back to sleep.”
    She gently brought her arms around his torso for a friendly hug, keeping herself from pressing against his bandages. “Thank you. I do feel better now.”
    She was pulling away from him when the door burst open and startled them both. They jumped away from each other and turned. Jek’s heart leapt into his throat when he saw Lisanda’s exasperated expression.
    “What in the Bastial stars is this?”
    Heather’s face was bright red, her hands shaking. “I was just helping him with his wounds.”
    “Nothing improper happened,” Jek said.
    “Why was the door closed?” Lisanda asked loudly.
    “Please, lower your voice,” Jek urged, not wanting anyone else investigating and assuming the worst. “I was telling her about the palace and she was telling me that…” He stopped to wave her closer. “Shut the door.”
    Some of the anger drained from her face as she closed the door and came close.
    “Fatholl visited Namlin Lage a few weeks ago. Heather was telling me what she overheard.”
    “I fear my father-in-law might be involved in something,” Heather added. “Please don’t tell Owin what I said. He doesn’t like it when I get involved in such matters. I was trying to get more information from Jek while sharing what I knew.”
    “There’s no need to worry,” Jek said, pulling Lisanda tightly against him. He didn’t care that she pressed against his bandages. The comfort of her body against his was far better than the sting it created. “I would never betray you with another woman. Don’t you know that?”
    He smiled when she wrapped her arms around him. “I was coming to see if you needed help,” she said. “And then I heard you and a woman behind a closed door.”
    “I’m sorry to have given you the wrong idea, Lady Lisanda,” Heather said. “I’m going back to my bedroom now if you don’t mind.”
    “Of course.” Lisanda slowly parted from Jek, her eyes fixed on his as Heather left and closed the door. Lisanda reached out and grasped his arms. “I wish these nightmares would stop.”
    “I know.”
    “ All these nightmares.”
    He knew what she meant. Besides his attacks, she wished war and everything that came with it would end—death, power-hungry men, and now murderous Elves. It was almost impossible to know who to trust.
    “I know,” he repeated.
    Seeing that he understood without her needing to explain, she gave him a sad smile. They held each other’s gaze in silence until Jek leaned down and kissed her. It soon became obvious that neither of them would be satisfied with just one.
    As he nuzzled her neck and let his hands roam, Jek realized he might not have another night with Lisanda for a long while. He most likely would be leaving to search for Raymess tomorrow. Even if she came with him, they would have no such private moments.
    He expressed his thoughts through his kisses as they became more and more passionate. He molded his hips to hers and dropped his hands to her rear to fit her even more intimately against him.
    Lisanda leaned back and gave him a look Jek knew he would never grow tired of seeing. “These walls don’t hold in sounds very well,” she said seductively.
    “Then we’ll just have to be quiet.”
    She smiled and nibbled on his bottom lip. He lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He carried her to the door and locked it.
    But when he set her down and started to pull off her nightgown, she stopped him. She was shaking her head, a mournful furrow along her forehead. “I can’t. Everything just came back to mind suddenly. Father, everything.”
    Then it did for Jek as well. The heat in his heart was gone in an instant.

 
     
    Chapter 4:
    CLEVE
     
    Cleve had grown to enjoy the sight of the vast ocean. He stood against the railing of