Rhal Part 4 (2 page)

“You think you can—”

Rhal stepped forward; Niax and Vados forced to come with him. “I
will
.”

When Otta opened her mouth once more, Vados snarled. “Female, be silent!”

“Do you know who I am?”

Dead
.

There was no missing the next booming voice that shook every inch of the apartment. A voice that silenced them all. “
Do you know who
I
am?
” Tave strode forward, taking in the room with a quick glance. “Faim, see to the male. Otta, remain silent and stand with my guards. Vados, Niax, release Rhal.”

“Sire?” Vados had every reason to be concerned. Rhal knew how he appeared with his scales on full display.

“Release him.” Tave was the only male to look beneath the surface. Rhal still raged, but he no longer longed for blood. Now he ached for his mate.

Both males retreated, and Rhal ignored the others, going directly to Cara’s side. He pulled her close, enveloping her in his arms and breathing in her scent. Each inhale calmed him further, sent his fury deep once again and he locked away that part of himself. She lived; she was whole. She still breathed. Her heart still beat.

“Cara,” he sighed and she rested her head on his chest.

“I’m here.”

Low murmurs surrounded them, the males speaking of Kaag’s condition, and it grew quiet once the bleeding guard was dragged away. Rhal did not care; he would hold his female as long as he desired regardless of the movements of the others.

“Rhal?” Tave’s voice was low, a tone he recognized. Hard yet with a hint of entreaty. He wanted Rhal to go peacefully. “You need to accompany me.”

Yes, he did. He would be held until Kaag’s condition was ensured. Live or die.

He placed his palm on her cheek and encouraged her to meet his gaze. He ignored the blood that coated his hand and instead focused on his mate. He brushed a soft kiss across her lips, then her cheeks, and finally her forehead. His lips lingered on her skin, and he breathed deeply, memorizing her scent as he faced what was to come.

Separation.

When he spoke, it was against her skin, unwilling to lose the connection. “Rina? Guards?”

“On her way with her elites, and Vados and Niax will also remain,” Tave assured him.

“Very well. I will accompany you when she arrives.”

“Rhal?” Cara’s voice trembled.

“I must go with Tave and I will return as soon as I am able.”

“But—”

Rhal kissed her once more, his lips insistent on hers. “You will remain safe with Rina, Vados, and Niax.”

“But he—”

“You are my heart,
czira
. You hold it in your hand.” The sound of rushing footsteps reached him. The heavy tread of males mixed with the soft padding of small feet telling him Rina had arrived. “Care for it well until I am released.”

One more kiss. One more…

He did not resist his desires, sliding his tongue into her mouth as he gathered her flavors close. She was perfection, sweetness and all that was good and pure in the world. When she moaned and leaned against him, he drew away, he cataloged her passion-laden eyes and the desperate expression on her face. A sight he would always recall.

Rhal stepped away and went to Tave, holding his hands in front of him when he stood before his ruler.

Cara remained silent until Tave wrapped the bindings around his wrists. And then a sob escaped. “Rhal?”

Rhal did not dare look at her, did not dare watch the tears fall from her eyes. Rina hovered in the doorway, her eyes filled with fear, and he tilted his head toward Cara. Cara who cried for him, who sobbed harder when Rina rushed past, and he knew the principessa gathered her close.

“I am ready.”

The last sound he heard was a cry from his female, a single word on her lips. “
Rhal!
”

* * *

Cara was tired of the piteous looks, and it’d been over a day since Rhal was taken from her. Tave tried to explain the proceedings to her, Rina even stepping in when she refused to listen, refused to do anything but demand to see Rhal. They hadn’t been mates for long, and already she ached for his touch, her body calling for his, and they would not allow her near him.

No one could see him. Not even Faim to draw his blood which she so desperately needed. The stress, the fight, was causing her genetics to waver further. Her scales slipped in and out of view, scraping her skin with each appearance. They stretched her flesh, causing small tears over her body, and she’d bled on her clothes more than once. She was a mess, a crumpled ball of pain, and not a single person could touch her—not even when they wore gloves. It was as if her body sensed the person approaching, attending to her body, was not Rhal.

And it wanted Rhal.

Cara huddled on the medical bed, the sheets scraping her raw skin, but it was the least of her aches. The worst was her heart, and that wouldn’t be healed until Rhal was returned to her.

“I don’t understand,” she wheezed, fighting back the ache that accompanied breathing.

“I know,” Tave sighed and ran his hand through his blue hair. The prince’s scales acted much like hers, popping in and out of view. Fortunately for him, it wasn’t painful, and Faim explained that hers would be the same after she finished her transition.

Which couldn’t happen until Rhal was released, or someone was granted entrance to his cell to extract blood.

“Cara, if there was something I could do, I would, but the laws are clear. Kaag’s life still hangs in the balance, and Rhal is the cause. He is being charged with murder—”

“Kaag’s still alive.”

“—until Kaag lives or dies. He cannot receive visitors.”

She trembled and gritted her teeth, pushing the pain deep inside herself. “And what about me? I’m supposed to suffer?”

“Cara—”

“You could let Faim in. You’re the prince, for fuck’s sake.” She really didn’t care that she was speaking with Earth’s Ujal leader like that. What was he gonna do? Kill her? She was already dying. It was simply a matter of time if she didn’t get Rhal’s blood. “Act like it and let Faim get a vial of his blood.”

“And normally I could make an exception.”

“So do it,” she snapped.

“The king is in residence. His power overrules mine. We are under his rule, and he has made the decision to abide by the law.”

Another wave of pain and this time it was accompanied by a moan. “So I’m fucked.”

I’m gonna die.

“What happened to all of the talk about females being important to your race? Where the hell is that attitude now?” Tave’s lips bleached white as he pressed them together, and he remained silent. “Right. Nothing to say.” Cara took a deep breath and sought calm. The more upset she got, the worse it was, and there was only one way to make her feel better—Rhal.

Rhal who she couldn’t see or touch or even breathe his air. Nothing.

She shuddered and groaned, letting her head fall back. “The guy was an asshole, a human hater and touched me. One of those has to be reason enough for a beat down, Tave. Give me something.” She met his intent stare. “Give me a reason to hope.”

The prince tore his gaze from her and focused on the far wall. “His touch, while objectionable, was a first offense. Rhal’s reaction was extreme.”

“Rhal’s an extreme kind of guy. You guys trained him that way.”

“We didn’t—”

“Hell yes, you did.” Screw playing nice with the prince. If she was gonna die, she was gonna lay it all on the line. “He’s the king’s assassin, Tave, and don’t tell me you don’t know that. You have to. Your military trained him to be a heartless killer and now that he slipped his leash because he found something to
care
about and that something was threatened, you’re punishing him.”

“It was a first…”

Cara shook her head. “He called me human trash, does that count? He’s a human hater. He said it in front of Rina, and Erun knows as well. Can that at least get Rhal’s treatment eased? Please?” She brought a trembling hand to her forehead and rubbed her temple. “We need to see each other.”

“He called you what in front of Rina?” Now she was faced with an unfamiliar Tave, one that would happily slice off another’s head.

“When we were at IGM. He made those sounds you guys use. Rhal taught them to me, and Kaag called me human trash.”

“In front of Rina.”

“Yes,” she carefully nodded. “Erun was there and said he would comm you about it. I promised to talk to Rhal, but,” she shrugged, “things happened.”

“Repeat what he said.” Tave’s skin no longer held a healthy glow but tinted blue. Hell, half his scales were out as well.

Sensing this might be her one and only chance at getting her way, Cara did as he asked, repeating the phrase to the prince.

The male grimaced, his anger rushing forward even more, and now every inch of his skin was covered in scales. “I cannot make promises, but I will address the king.” He lowered his voice and leaned down. “No matter his decision, be ready at midnight, Cara. This gives me room to maneuver.” His gaze was intent. “Did Rhal know?”

She shook her head. “No, but he mentioned that he’d sent a guard to you to fetch Faim. He said he was calling in a blessing?” A favor was the closest human equivalent she could think of. “From what he said to Kaag, I think he was the guard who hadn’t passed the message when I was hurt.”

Tave became tenser, his muscles bunched as he tried to restrain his fury. “I see.” He took a step back. “Midnight. Look for Niax and Thame. I would prefer to send you Vados, but I cannot risk…”

She shook her head. “No, he has a mate and a youngling. If something goes wrong, he can’t be stuck behind bars.”

“Yes.” He jerked his head in a brisk nod. “Be ready. Tell no one.”

Right. Tell no one. That was something she could do. That and pray. “Okay.”

Tave strode toward the door but paused in the archway. “Care for yourself heart-sister. My mate would have my head should anything happen to you.”

“Get me to Rhal and you won’t have to worry.”

His gaze was intent and unwavering. “That is my plan.”

Yeah, that was her plan, too. Hopefully, she’d live long enough to see it through.

Hours and countless bouts of agony later, she wondered if she’d make it. She’d drifted in and out of consciousness, rousing when Sece or Faim came in to check on her, and then she settled into restless sleep once again. Every hour, on the hour and that schedule had her hoping that Sece would be early for her midnight check-in.

Unfortunately, as the clock on the wall ticked to twelve, she slowly and silently slipped into the room. Cara sat up, anxious to finish the check of her vitals and then send the female on her way.

“Cara, I’m surprised you’re awake.” Her voice was lyrical, the words practically sung through the room despite her low whisper.

“Yeah, I couldn’t…”

The door slid open, granting the males in the hallway entrance. They all froze, Cara and Sece staring at Niax and who must be Thame.

“What are
you
doing here?” Sece hissed at the males though she noted the female glared at Niax.

“It is best you do not know, Sece. Please leave.” Niax’s voice was firm, his gaze unyielding.

“Why?”

“Sece,” Niax growled and took a threatening step forward.

“Don’t growl at me, Niax fa Tura. What’s going on?”

“We do not have time for this,” Thame hissed. “Place her in the bathing room and lock the door. Another will find her. We must depart.”

Now Niax turned his glare on Thame. So not a good idea. Even Cara could see that the two Ujal were dancing around their attraction and threatening someone Niax cared about could not end well. “Touch her and die.”

See?

“Niax—”

“Don’t you—”

“I will—”

“
Hey!
” Cara managed to whisper and shout at the same time, but it took nearly all of her strength. It did, however, get all three of them focused on her. “Sece, I need you to let this happen. You can’t stop this.”

“Cara, what’s going on?”

She licked her lips and opened her mouth.

“You can tell her nothing,” Thame cut her off.

She was so gonna kick his ass when she felt better. With luck, that’d be by tomorrow morning. She glared at Thame and tried speaking again. “Ujal doctors take a vow of care. You do all within your power to ensure the health of your patients.”

“Of course.”

“You do not discuss a patient’s treatment with anyone.”

“Of course,” she nodded.

“Then I need you to either help me or stand aside and remain silent.”

“But I don’t understand…”

“We must
move
,” Niax cut in.

“They’re taking me to Rhal and I need you to keep quiet. I don’t want you to lie, but I need this. You know I’ll die if I don’t get to him soon. They won’t allow your father to take his blood. You know…”

Sece didn’t let her finish. Instead, a hard determination filled her gaze and then she dashed through the room, grabbing blankets and slippers. She shoved a pile at Thame. “Hold this while I help her. The underground tunnels are empty at this hour.”

“No,” Niax shook his head. “They are—”

“Empty. Your guards lack in this sector,” Sece drawled.

“And how do you—”

“Ask her later, dammit,” Cara interrupted, her attention trained on her hand, on the scales deepening in color. “We need to go now.”

Her three companions saw scales falling from her arms, and each went into action, bundling her up and leading her toward the door. They had to hurry because Cara was running out of time.

Rhal would gut them all when he was released. Or escaped. He had entered the cell peacefully that morning, but now darkness had fallen, and no one came to draw his blood. Faim nor Sece were granted entrance despite the shouting matches he heard.

He would not get any visitors. He would not be allowed to grant his mate relief from her symptoms. He wondered if she was in pain, if she cried out for him, and his heart ached while his anger burned. It remained hot within him, anxious to be released on whoever crossed the threshold. He would not deny the severity of his crime, but he also
would not
allow his female to suffer.