Free Healing Eden by Rhenna Morgan Page B

twinkled in her bold blue eyes. “It’s magnificent.”
    Ah, yes. He’d definitely chosen the right lure for his mate-to-be. “Evanora had a thing for daring statements. This one was aimed at the man foolish enough to forgo choosing her as his mate.” He held out his hand. “I won’t be as dimwitted.”
    Serena studied his outstretched hand, his face, and the manse stretched out before them. She licked her lower lip and laid her palm in his. “Get me out of this cold.”
    He ducked his head to hide his triumphant smile and ushered her toward the main entrance. Two guards dressed in black stood at either side with others stationed in regular intervals around the perimeter.
    Uther strode out the front door as they approached and bowed. “Maxis.”
    “Serena, this is Uther Rontal, our new strategos.”
    She offered her hand with a benevolent air, not the slightest hint she’d caught the “our” in his statement. “Serena Doroz.”
    Uther accepted and kissed the top. “Maxis has good taste in women.”
    Electricity arced, unbidden, between Maxis’ fingers and thumbs, palms tingling with the need to strike. He clenched his fists and the energy fizzled. Stupid of him. What in histus did he care if Uther found her pleasing to the eye? “How are the plans moving along?”
    Uther released her, albeit far too leisurely for Maxis’ taste, and motioned them forward. “As you requested. We’ll have everything ready for you in the morning. For now the men are on high alert and ready for action.”
    “Excellent.” He steered Serena through the soaring entry by the small of her back, the urge to distance her from his strategos a buzzing, nearly palpable force. “Rest tonight. Tomorrow we start fresh.”
    “What happens tomorrow?” Serena’s muscles tightened beneath his hand.
    Maxis’ boots clipped against marble, reverberating off the gold and ivory walls. He tucked her in the circle of his arm. “Your father keeps everything from you doesn’t he?”
    “Mmmm.” She appraised the rounded columns interspersed down the long hallway, her glower making clear just how sensitive she was to the topic without saying a single word.
    He stroked the curve of her hip and gave a slight squeeze. “I vow you’ll know my plans. No secrets. But not tonight. Tonight is for something else. Agreed?”
    She pursed her lips. “I’ll play along . For tonight.”
    The tour of the main floor was quick, the library, an overlarge kitchen, a stately golden dining room, and servant’s quarters. Serena soaked in the surroundings, her expression contemplative and focused throughout. He’d bet half his inheritance Serena’s father hadn’t a clue of his daughter’s attention to detail.
    A platinum throne sat at the back of Evanora’s receiving chamber, paintings of the many Steysis generations hung along each side in gilded frames.
    Serena drifted through the cavernous room, subtly angled toward the embellished chair.
    “My grandmother knew what she wanted,” Maxis said. “When the malran turned her away, she built her own kingdom and an alternate route to the seat she believed would be hers.”
    Serena’s hand slid across one armrest and a lock of hair spilled across her angelic face.
    “You have that vision,” he said. “You merely lack the partner and leverage to make it happen.”
    She paused behind the high back, tracing the filigree and smirked. “You’ve been dancing around your topic all day. I think it’s time you get to the point.”
    Ah, so the lady suspected his intent. She probably also thought she held the upper hand. Perhaps, in a way, she did. He’d give her due respect and a slice of power, but there would be only one ruler between them.
    He stopped in the center of the room. “You want to know what I offer? What opportunities I provide for you and your future?”
    Quiet pressed on every side of him. The room’s shadows deepened, building in height and depth. “Come to me and find out.”
    “No.” She