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  She left the room through an arched passage at the rear. He followed her into a kitchen with limited moving space. With a matchstick, she fired up the stove. The woody fragrance reminded Shadow of growing up with Klurt. That cozy feeling from living inside a hut. It sure beat sleeping under the stars. Especially in winter.

  “Sugar?” Zana asked as she reached for a small dish from the shelf against a side wall. Utensils and pots dangled from hooks beneath the shelf.

  “Black for me.”

  She set two cups on the counter next to a bowl of red fruit, bread, and celery.

  Zana’s face flushed. “This is my little home. It’s not much.”

  “This is perfect.” His gaze fell to her lips, wondering how sweet they’d taste, which was so wrong. Under no circumstance would he make a move on someone in need of company and support.

  “Bet it doesn’t compare to the castle in the realm.”

  “Living there isn’t that grand,” he lied. The palace was spectacular—made of marble and sparkling everywhere. Servants brought him anything he needed. But something about the simplicity of the goblin’s life warmed him.

  “Appreciate you walking me home.” She picked up the bundle of folded towels from the kitchen counter. “I don’t get many visitors. Sorry about the mess.”

  “Better than remaining at Klurt’s place alone. When I arrived there earlier, I felt like a trespasser.” Shadow had been suffocating in the house from grief, and couldn’t stay a second longer. He’d rather sleep naked in a snow storm.

  He followed Zana back into the hallway, past the living room, and directly into a bedroom. He leaned against the doorframe, watching her stuff the towels into a chest of drawers. Behind her was a large poster bed encased with netting. The bedcovers were a mix of colors and traditional floral patterns. He’d seen those designs in the human world of Romania when he had crossed the veil during army training, forced to spend several months hiding amid humans and avoiding detection.

  Zana waved him backward. He retreated, giving her space to pass, and reentered the kitchen. “Make yourself at home on the cushions.”

  He watched Zana fluttering about and adored how she bounced on her toes with excitement.

  Strolling into the main room, he approached a line of shoes near the door, and then kicked off his boots. He reclined on a colorful pillow and stretched his legs out in front of him, crossing them at the ankles. For those few moments, he calmed his mind.

  Sometimes, shit happened, and falling apart didn’t help anyone. He took a moment to reflect on the day’s events. Klurt’s death. The agony in Shadow’s heart refused to abide. Someone had purposely taken his uncle’s life. Shadow’s hands curled into fists. A few more breaths and he unfurled his fingers, needing his head focused if he was going to get to the bottom of the assault. After coffee, he’d ask Zana more questions. Find out what she remembered. The two-day Lunar Festival would start tomorrow evening, so Shadow had the daytime to dig around. And he wasn’t returning to the realm until he uncovered the truth.

  Zana entered the room empty-handed. “It’ll be a bit longer until the stove heats up.” She sat down next to him, her legs folded under her.

  “If I could ever only drink one beverage, it would be coffee,” he said to avoid the silence.

  Zana nodded, but under the flickering candlelight, her eyes glistened and a tear rolled down her face.

  “Sorry. I can’t stop thinking about Klurt.” She wiped her cheek.

  Without hesitation, he wrapped her into his arms. Zana gave no resistance, and she molded against him, sobbing. He rubbed her back, not saying a word, because, in grief, words were hollow things. He blinked fast to bat away his own tears.

  After quieting down, Zana broke their embrace. “I got your shirt wet.”

  Shadow glanced down. “It’ll dry.” He lifted his hand and pushed away another escaping teardrop. “If you plan to cry all night, I’m up for it. But I have to warn you, at some stage, I might need to remove the shirt, and I can’t be held responsible for your reaction.” He winked, and Zana laughed, deep and raw, a sound just as powerful as her cries.

  “I don’t even know you,” she said. “But thanks.”

  Zana stared up at him, leaning in closer, and for those few moments, he wasn’t sure what to do. Well, actually he knew what he wanted. He’d provide her with the emotional support she needed, even if it meant comforting her between the sheets.

  Her warm breath washed across his face as he lowered his head. His mouth opened with some lame-ass joke, but, instead, she pressed forward and grazed his lips with hers. His train of thought vanished.

  His fingers threaded through her hair to the back of her head, drawing her nearer. He kissed her hard, his tongue penetrating the seam of her mouth. She took him in, sucking, and unleashing a mewl that had him hard in seconds.

  Only one thing seemed possible—stripping down the vixen and making her forget her troubles for the night.

  Chapter 5

  Considering how messed up the day was, Zana needed Shadow’s touch. His kiss. Anything to numb the emotions and silence her thoughts. Who cared if she’d just met him? Klurt loved him, trusted him, and Shadow seemed to need the same thing she did.

  She encircled her arms around the back of Shadow’s neck, his musky scent caressing her. Her beard tickling her face. His relentless lips worked their way across her cheek to her earlobe, pulling the flesh into his mouth with a flick of his tongue.

  Moans rolled through her chest as his fingers dug into the small of her back with desperate hunger.

  “You smell delicious,” he whispered. “I’m going to devour every inch of you.” Shadow’s gravelly voice had her clenching her thighs together. His words repeated in her mind. No guy had ever said that to her—or anything remotely close.

  “Mhm.”

  His kisses trailed down her collarbone, and his fingers locked onto her zipper.

  She pushed the straps of her dress down her shoulders, eager to get naked and have Shadow take her.

  “Stand for me,” he said and stood, offering her his hand. He drew her to her feet in a flash. He stared down at her, his devilish grin weakening her knees. Who the hell was this guy?

  “Damn. I’ve missed being home with my own kind.” He slid the dress downward, the fabric shimmering along her curved body before falling to the floor in a heap. The coins gave a final chime.

  She stepped out of her dress, now standing in her bra, panties, and boots in front of someone she’d only just met. Yet his gaze was smoldering.

  “Your turn,” she said.

  Zana reached for his shirt, but he’d already tugged it up and over his head, then tossed it somewhere behind him. Her sights locked on layers of muscles, a broad chest calling her, and his waist tapering into a V-shape. She wiped her mouth in case she drooled.

  “Shit. Look at your muscles. I thought you were an ambassador in the realm.”

  Shadow’s laugh was light and crisp, driving the quivering between Zana’s legs to intensity. The coolness of her house caressed her skin. She had to rip off her bra and panties before she died of sexual starvation.

  “I’m more of a Guardian-in-training with an additional title of ambassador to keep lines of communication between goblins and the queen open. I’ve spent the last four years in the army.”

  She traced her palm down his pecs and ribbed torso—solid beneath her touch. Yep. As incredible as she’d suspected. “Heard you defeated a Guardian. Those guys are tough to beat.”

  He threaded his fingers through her hair and claimed her mouth, inhaling her breaths. The hardness in his jeans pressed up against her stomach. When he came up for air, he said, “I’ve won against a lot of Guardians in the field.”

  His smile was contagious. She admired his determination because he was breaking the mold for all goblins, and it might show youngsters to reach for the sky and dream bigger.

  “Well, Mr. Guardian, how about showing me some of your abilities?”

&
nbsp; He may have cocked an eyebrow, but his eyes filled with lust. To have a hunk like Shadow stare at her with such sexual desire did new things to her libido. He crouched in front of her, his thumbs hooked into her panties, and he dragged the fabric down. His breath caressed her most sensitive area. The moment she was free of her underwear, Shadow’s tongue was on her, his beard stroking her inner thighs. He licked her folds with such ferocity, she lost her balance. His arms wrapped around her hips, holding her. Then he lifted himself.

  “You taste fucking amazing. Do you have any idea how crazy you make me?” He peeled back the tops of her lacy bra, unleashing her breasts. Her nipples beaded so tight from excitement, they hurt in the best possible way. “Come with me,” he said, and took her hand, leading her into the bedroom.

  The heat between the apex of her thighs flared into an inferno. Wet and desperate for Shadow’s attention, she trailed after him, her exposed breasts bouncing with each step. It was hard to miss that Shadow noticed.

  Breaking his hold, she made the world’s fastest detour into the kitchen to shut down the stove, then returned to Shadow’s side.

  Once in her bedroom, only the light from outside filtered across the bed. Shadow pushed aside the mesh fabric enclosing the mattress. He guided Zana up and onto her hands and knees. She obliged, because damn, but if he didn’t take her soon, she’d explode with her teetering orgasm.

  He stood near the bed, right behind her, and parted her legs with a hand.

  She glanced over her shoulder as he crouched, and the sound of crinkly paper caught her attention. The guy was prepared as he worked his pants down.

  In an instant, his mouth was on her most intimate area with long flicks. The explosion inside her rocked forward, her hips swaying back and forth. “Yes. Right there.”

  He gripped her butt cheeks, squeezing them as he licked her. A finger pressed inside her.

  A moan spilled free. But when two more followed, she was writhing in her doggie position, screaming for more. His thumb entered her ass, wriggling.

  With that, she lost all manner of control. Her body thundered with the sweetest orgasm, her knees buckling underneath her.

  “You’re so tight. You’re killing me.” He rolled Zana onto her back and heaved her closer.

  Zana pulled herself up on elbows for a better look. Sweet mother. Who was that big?

  “I need you right now,” she purred.

  “Good girl.”

  His tip rubbed along her silky entrance. He slammed forward, hitting her back wall without pause as he gripped her thighs.

  She moaned, embracing the exhilaration that came with him forcing her open, thrusting faster.

  Her throat was raw, but she begged for more of the orgasmic pleasure cascading through her.

  He paused and leaned over Zana’s body, taking a breast into his mouth. His teeth gently gnawed on the pebbled nipple, pulling at the flesh.

  “Goddess… yes.”

  His hips pumped into her, slow at first, then quickened. “Cum for me, babe.”

  She quivered as another orgasm burned within her. And that time, Shadow pulsed, too, his eyes rolling upward. He released the most devious groan. Still buried deep inside her, he smiled. “I could get addicted to this.”

  She laughed, because Shadow was high on sex fumes. But, in that moment, she didn’t want him to go anywhere, and wanted to be his.

  He withdrew. “Give me a sec to clean up, and then we’re doing that again.”

  Zana lay on the bed, every part of her tingling. She pinched herself, unable to believe she’d allowed a stranger into her house. And she let him fuck her!

  When Shadow reentered the room, strapped with a new rubber, she was convinced it was a dream. Had to be, because she’d never had a hunk in her home. Ever!

  Every girl wanted a sex god in her bedroom, and Shadow was that and more. At least for tonight, he was all hers. She curled a finger toward him, calling him closer.

  He smirked as he glanced down at his rod-like cock. “Feel like going for a ride?”

  She snapped up to a sitting position. “You bet your cute ass.”

  “Hoping you’d say that.” Shadow closed the distance between them. He kissed her, softly that time, taking his time as if savoring each part of her. He slid the hair off her face. “You’re incredibly hot.” Gripping her waist, he lifted her off the mattress, and she snaked her legs around him.

  “You ain’t bad yourse—ahhh.”

  His tip pressed into her, pushing deeper, and he smirked as he watched her. Walking with her, he pushed her up against the wall. Without rest, he fucked her, fast and unforgiving, as if the first time was a practice run. She rode him, forgetting herself, the world, everything. Because with Shadow’s cock buried within her, all thoughts vanished. And if she could, she’d do that for eternity to never face life again.

  Sweat dripped down her back, and with each thrust, she mewled. Shadow’s groans drove her insane—knowing that she turned someone like him on. She held on to his rock hard shoulders, taking all of him, never wanting to resurface. This was perfect, and the way life should always be.

  Chapter 6

  Shadow rolled onto his back. His eyes snapped open. Sunlight pierced through the lace curtain, but it had no right being glorious on such a day. Not on Klurt’s ceremony day.

  Numbness pounded in Shadow’s head as he lay in bed, unable to shed the emptiness engulfing him. Grief came in waves, crashing into him, and all he could do was hold back the emotional tsunami pushing at his insides. Everything was fucked up, and he’d lost the one goblin who’d given him hope. A lifeline. In that moment, a flash of anger shielded him from the pain, and he embraced it, but, deep inside, Shadow knew the truth. He had failed Klurt.

  Soft breaths grazed Shadow’s arm. He looked across the mattress. Zana lay curled, wrapped in the sheet, her eyelids twitching from a dream. Last night, she’d give him a distraction, but it was more than that. With her in his arms, a surge of energy had filled him with hope that he could take on the world for her. The gentle slope of her high cheekbones set her apart from female goblins. Most were shorter and had distinctive round faces and thinner lips. Zana was the opposite. She had a fierceness about her, and she lived with pain, too. Maybe they were more similar than he originally thought.

  He ought to get up and search for Klurt’s killer, starting by questioning everyone who worked at the markets. Zana had mentioned a large goblin with short, golden hair and a limp. That was a start.

  He sighed and pushed himself out of bed. After tracking down his pants in a corner, he grabbed them and headed to the toilet. Half-dressed and refreshed, he stood in the doorway of the bedroom.

  A churning in his gut held him in place. He couldn’t get himself to leave. His plans didn’t involve staying in Pryvale. At least in the realm, he could make a name for himself. Prove himself worthwhile. With Klurt gone, what did the town offer him? Leaving was the right decision, and that involved breaking off whatever was going on between him and Zana.

  He turned away and marched toward the front door. He picked up his discarded shirt, tugged it over his head, and stepped into his boots.

  A scream pierced the air from within the house.

  His heart slammed into his breastbone. Zana! He bolted back through the hut, skidding into the bedroom.

  She sat up, clutching the sheets to her chest, tears filling her eyes.

  “What’s going on? Are you all right?” He closed the distance between them and joined her on the bed, his arms folding her into his embrace. Zana stayed still, her skin moist, her inhales rapid.

  He scanned the window for intruders. “Was someone outside?”

  After a long pause of silence, she unwrapped herself from him. Her mouth opened, then shut, as if trying to find words.

  “A bad dream?” He slid aside a strand of hair stuck to the side of her face from perspiration.

  “Shit.” Her voice came out scratchy. She cleared her throat. “What a fucker of a… night terro
r.”

  “Had a few of those in the past, but it’ll pass.” He stood, but her fingers reached out and seized his wrist. “You were in my vision, and you died.”

  Shadow felt the tremble in Zana’s touch. “It’s your mind dealing with what happened yesterday.”

  “No!” Her fingers tightened. She lifted herself to her knees on the mattress, one hand still holding the sheet. “This was real.” She bit her lower lip, and her eyes moved rapidly back and forth as if deciding how to best explain her thoughts.

  “Nightmares feel real,” he said. “I once dreamed the Guardians had been killed. They all reanimated and tried to eat my brains. Scary shit there.”

  “This is different. It was a premonition.” Her gaze dipped.

  Shadow broke into a laugh—loud, piercing, and involuntary—because he believed dreams revealed the future as much as he believed he could walk on water.

  “Fuck you!” Zana climbed off the mattress on the opposite side of the bed, tightening the sheet around her body. “Clearly, I forgot who I was speaking to.” She grabbed jeans off the chest of draws and stormed out of the room, down the tiny hallway, and into the bathroom. The door slammed shut behind her.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” he called out.

  No response. What the hell? Yep. He discovered the chick was crazy after he’d spent a night with her. Nothing like making the next few days in Pryvale uncomfortable. Shit. He didn’t need more crap in his life, like someone who flew off the handle at the smallest thing. Dreams were just the brain processing thoughts. A part of him was pleased that Zana felt so deeply about him, but he couldn’t handle her dream thing right now.

  He halted his pacing, unsure when he’d started. “What if…?” Maybe whoever had finished off Klurt would now turn their attention to Shadow? After all, the Wart Markets now fell under his care. The world was a fucked up place, and in Tapestry, everyone took the law upon themselves.

  When the floor creaked, he lifted his gaze and found Zana marching into the main room. Her amber hair was pulled into a tight ponytail. Tiny, loose strands fluttered around her face. Dressed in jeans that hung low on her hips and a tank top, he was tempted to drag her back into the bedroom. He never should have had sex with her last night. Now, he couldn’t stop picturing himself kissing her. Why did he always attract the insane girls? The last drae he dated ate only fruit for a cleansing diet, and expected him to do the same. Shadow loved his roasts too much to ever give them up for anyone.