The Warlord (Rise of the Warlords 1)

Nothing would stop her.

30

The search for Blythe and Isla proved disappointing and uneventful. For hour upon hour, Taliyah glimpsed faces through the crystal. She saw women she knew and those she didn’t, but not her sister or niece. They must have gotten away, but oh, what she wouldn’t give for proof. At least the other harpies had healed from their injuries. They slept peacefully, even comfortably, on cots the Astra provided.

As she and Roc wound through the empty streets to return to the palace, she glimpsed a patrol unit marching by.

“Don’t worry. I’ll arrange a meeting with Roux,” Roc said. He had remained at her side the entire day, not to keep tabs on her but to shield and protect. To comfort and encourage. The difference in him, in his treatment of her, left her reeling. The monster she’d sworn to kill had become a...friend?

“Thank you,” she said.

“I’ll also send spies to search Nova, with orders not to harm her.”

“That’s a sweet offer, but Blythe will view your men as enemies. There will be a fight, and someone will die.”

“Even if they bear a message from you?”

“Maybe even then.” Roc looked good today. Well, he always looked good, but he looked really good right now. He exuded no animosity or malice. Only contentment. Despite the cooler weather, he’d opted to go without a shirt—of course—donning only leathers. A fashion choice she gave five orgasmic stars.

At the moment, she kinda matched him. She wore a barely-there halter, her wings wonderfully free, and a pair of leathers, with thin, lightweight pieces of armor strapped to each of her limbs.

He clasped her hand, drawing her to a stop when they reached the heart of the courtyard, where the most famous landmark in all of Harpina grew. The Tree of Skulls.

“Let’s not hasten to the palace just yet,” he said, surprising her. “If Blythe is inside Roux, she’s safe. I’d like to hear about Harpina—your Harpina. Tell me what it’s like as if I’ve never before visited. Take me to your favorite places. Let me view the world through your eyes.”

“Like we’re on a date or something?” Taliyah had never actually gone on a date. To grant the first one to this smoldering mountain of a man... Yes, please! “All right. Fine,” she said, and he grinned. “You talked me into it.”

For just a little while, they could pretend. He was a normal man, and she was a normal woman, every mystery between them revealed. There was no curse or sacrifice, only admiration and desire.

“You picked a good place to start.” She motioned to the Tree of Skulls. The enormous structure was wider and taller than many skyscrapers in the mortal world, blooming with red flowers shaped like, well, skulls.

Usually countless harpies gathered here to carve the names of slain enemies into the trunk. A beloved tradition. Afterward, carvers enjoyed a day of shopping and pampering with friends. Nearby retailers offered everything from coffee to vibrators.

He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles, making her knees go weak. “Tell me all about it.”

Though she hated to sever contact, she released him to climb the tree, perch in one of the branches and dangle her legs from the side. Well, well. At this height, she had a full view of him and all his tattooed goodness.

Gorgeous warlord. His hair had grown some, giving him the same boyish air she’d noticed the night she’d sneaked into his room. He seemed lighter, as if his mantle of discipline no longer proved such a heavy burden to bear.

This morning, he’d removed the alevala over his heart, just as he’d done every other morning, but this time he’d let her inside the stall while he did it. She’d asked a million questions, but he’d answered none of them. Out of respect for him, she hadn’t glanced at the image when it landed on the floor fully intact. He’d tell her when he was ready. Just like she’d tell him about Erebus when she was ready.

Foreboding prickled the back of her neck. Would either secret tear them apart?

“Soon,” she said, forging ahead, “these flowers will become bloodfruit.” A tasty citrus with a soft pink skin and a pulpy crimson center, which acted as medicine to harpies no longer able to consume blood because they’d lost their consort or—

The thought skidded to a halt. Harpies who’d found their consorts lost the ability to drink blood from anyone else. When they tried, they vomited. Taliyah had vomited soul after feeding on the berserker. Because she’d already met her consort? Could she consume blood and soul only from her consort now?

She wheezed her next breath, the next question stinging. Had she already met her consort?

“Taya?” he asked.

With great effort, she shook off her concerns. No worries. Not today. This was her first date, and she wouldn’t ruin it with suppositions about lifelong mates.