"Should you need anything at all, simply pull on the rope, and someone will arrive immediately. The servants shall be in to clean up. Sleep well, Riley. May you find what you seek on your journey to the temple. Is there anything else I can do for you before I go?"
"So you and Rayner...."
Toka smiled bashfully. "Good night, Riley."
"Good night." Riley returned Toka's smile and watched him go.
He liked Toka. The foxling was really sweet. He clearly had a thing for Rayner, though Riley had a feeling servants and Soldati warriors rarely mingled, much less dated. Did Soldati warriors date, or did they just carry off their lovers and claim them? An image of Khalon claiming him entered his head and Riley jumped to his feet, his face burning up. Nope. Not going to happen. His arm itched and Riley scratched at the bands. He had to get this off. If the priestess could do that, then he'd go along on this crazy adventure.
After the servants came and took what was left of the food away, Riley walked around the room in hopes of easing the fullness of his belly. At least that was his story and he was sticking to it. He was not nosing around. The wardrobe was huge and it was filled with all kinds of snazzy clothes. There were candles everywhere and a huge stone fireplace with a comfy-looking chaise lounge in front of it. The walls were decorated with intricately woven tapestries of tigers frolicking. Once he was done walking off his fullness, he cleaned up in a bathroom that was bigger than his tiny apartment.
As he lay in bed, he thought about what their journey might entail. He sat up and ran his fingers over the tattoos on his arm. Soon they'd be gone. He'd be back in the cafe, none the wiser of any demons or sexy tiger men. But the demons would still be out there. Would they come for him once the mark was removed? Toka had said a new mate would be revealed, so he supposed the demons would be the next guy's problem. If the demons did come for Riley, would Khalon bother protecting him if they weren't connected?
What he needed to do was get some sleep. With every question he asked himself, half a dozen more popped up. He had no idea what lay ahead tomorrow. He had a feeling getting a decent night's sleep would be about as easy as facing Khalon King again in the morning. Maybe he was being hard on the guy.
"You know what? I should cut the guy a break. Start fresh." Yep. That's what he'd do. Maybe Khalon just had a rough day. Who didn't have them? Tomorrow things would be better.
Chapter Four
KHALON KING was an asshole.
"Are you listening?" Khalon growled.
Riley rolled his head toward Khalon to deliver what his manager Clara once informed him was the most spectacular "fuck off and die" look she'd ever come across. Riley couldn't help it. He'd been dragged out of bed at an unholy hour--ass-crack-of-dawn early--and after being awake long enough to remember where the hell he was, the servants brushed his teeth for him, got him dressed, tried to comb his hair--which was followed by him making grunting noises at them because it was too damn early for that--and the next thing he knew, he was in a dining hall, flopping down into a chair next to this asshole, and oh God, was the guy still talking? Dude, stop. Just stop.
Khalon narrowed his eyes. "Did you hear any of what I just said?"
"Nope." Riley grinned as Khalon's nostrils flared. There was a good chance the guy was about to punch him in the face, but it would be worth it to see Khalon lose his shit. Let's try this again. "Coffee."
"Riley--"
"Coffee." At some point Khalon would learn. Then again....
"You insolent--"
"Nope." Riley sighed. "Coffee."
Khalon slammed a fist on the table, making the tableware rattle. "Stop saying that!"
"Sure. When I get my.... Wait for it...."
Khalon gave him an impressive "don't you dare" look.
Oh, I dare.
"Coffee."
Riley could practically see the steam coming out of Khalon's ears. Seriously. All he wanted was some coffee. Was that too much to ask?
The ginormous elegantly decorated banquet hall came equipped with a table long enough to seat an army, and yet there were only the five of them having breakfast. The spread was incredible. They had eggs prepared every way imaginable. Scrambled, poached, over easy, over hard, fried, turned into omelets, quiches, frittatas, along with potatoes cooked up in all different ways, various types of bread, baskets of fruit, platters of meats, various fruit juices, but not one freaking cup of coffee. What kind of heathens was he dealing with?
Across the table from him, Rayner let out a snicker before quickly putting a fist to his mouth and coughing. Most likely as a response to Khalon's indignant glare. Khalon sat at the head of the table in a throne-like chair that would have made any fantasy geek wet his pants. Riley kept wanting to touch the ornate tiger-claw armrest, but he had no desire to lose a limb. Khalon turned his attention back to Riley and leaned toward him with a menacing snarl. Riley leaned away slowly.
"Now you listen here. While you're in my kingdom, you will do as I command."
Riley opened his mouth when Adira jumped out of her chair and slammed her hands down on the table. "For the love of our ancestors, Khalon, get him some bloody coffee before I stab you all with my butter knife!"
Wow. Okay. Riley stared at Adira along with the rest of them. She resumed her seat, snatched a croissant off a platter, and began to tear into it like she was disemboweling an enemy. Note to self, do not piss off Xena. With a disgruntled huff, Khalon signaled one of the servants, then motioned to Riley.