Free The Breeder by Eden Bradley Page A

feet were steady as they moved through the sea of flames and bodies pressing toward the doors at the back of the temple. It seemed to take forever, but finally they reached the north transept, where Nikkan had been stationed earlier. The two men lifted Nitara over the burning brazier, the flames hot, the air full of smoke. Behind it was a small doorway. Nikkan pulled them both through.
    Standing in the dim light of a torch was a man, dressed in leather pants and vest, his dark skin beautiful, lustrous, his hazel eyes gleaming. He wore the mark of the Mutairi on his left forearm.
    “Dhatri. You came.”
    His lover pulled him into a brief embrace, and his heart lifted.
    “I came for you, Akaash. I would not abandon you. I started on my way here as soon as I realized you’d been taken. I was already in the city when your message came to the trader.”
    “Dhatri, there is much to explain… This is Nitara.”
    “Nikkan has told me everything. We’ll talk more later.”
    “Yes.” He turned to Nikkan. “What is this place? We will be trapped.”
    “The Temple is full of passageways and tunnels,” Nikkan said. “This one branches into the eunuchs quarters to the right, and deep into the earth to the left. It will take you to the sea.” Nikkan pulled a leather bag from a niche in the wall and shoved it into Akaash’s hands. “Take this. It is clothing and food, a cask of water, a piece of flint. And take the torch from the wall where the passage splits. Hurry!”
    “Come with us,” Nitara pleaded.
    “There is no life for me, Little Sister. I will stay and lead the guards in another direction, if I can.”
    “And die if they discover your part in this, Nikkan. Come with us.”
    “No, Nitara. For our mother’s sake, go!”
    Akaash gripped her shoulder. “We must go quickly.” She looked up at him. He’d never realized how tiny she was before, never having had the chance to stand beside her. Her green eyes were enormous, filled with tears. “Will you come with me?”
    She nodded. “Anywhere you go, I will go with you.”
    They ran.
     
    They had been walking for hours. Nitara had been quiet, uncomplaining. Akaash knew she must be tired. She was unused to physical activity. But she never said a word. She just held onto his hand tightly.
    The tunnel had been quiet behind them, but they hadn’t stopped, other than for several brief moments to dress in the clothing Nikkan had given them—a white, hooded tunic for Nitara and a loincloth for Akaash. He wanted to be certain Nitara would be safe. The only sound had been their footsteps on the smooth floor, the occasional skittering of rats moving in the dark and their own harsh breathing.
    Finally Nitara asked him, “Are we safe yet?”
    He heard the fear trembling in her voice.
    “We’re away from the temple. I don’t think they know where we went. We’re safe from them, anyway.”
    “But there are other challenges ahead…”
    Dhatri said, “Your brother made sure to supply us, and we’re hunters, Akaash and I. We won’t go hungry. And we have nothing to fear from the road raiders—they know to leave the clan’s warriors alone. But once we reach the surface it’ll be hot. You’re not used to it, and the sun will burn your fair skin. We must find a way to cover you. It won’t be an easy journey back to our clan, and will take several weeks on foot. But we’ll take care of you, Nitara.”
    “You don’t have to care for me,” she said, her voice soft.
    “You are Akaash’s, and therefore you are mine, as well.”
    Akaash looked at Dhatri. Reached out to stroke one long, soft dreadlock. His mate smiled.
    “I didn’t think I’d find you alive,” Dhatri told him, his voice rough.
    Dhatri was not a man of many words, but he didn’t have to say more. Akaash felt his love in the few he spoke, felt his acceptance, despite his own sense of shame. He nodded, smiled.
    They walked on.
     
    Nitara wasn’t afraid of the darkness, only of the unknown. The