Free Shades of Gray by Lisanne Norman Page A

talking to him in a low, intense voice. Just out of earshot, he was unable to hear the words, but he knew instinctively what it was about.
    “Kezule, I’d like M’kou with me,” he said, moving closer.
    “This is a private matter,” hissed the General, not bothering to even glance in his direction. “I’ve given my orders. It isn’t open to discussion.”
    “He’ll be safe with me, Kezule,” he said, putting a restraining hand on the General’s arm and refusing to be shaken off. “I know how much M’kou lost when I shot him with that la’quo pellet. Call this a debt I need to repay to him personally.
    Kezule turned an angry gaze on him. “He’s too vulnerable now!”
    “Only your kind have the extra glands that make you faster and stronger in battle and accelerate healing. The rest of us manage without them. So can he.”
    “You have them!” The anger was dying from Kezule’s eyes now. “And he’s lost them.”
    “I know. That’s why it’s all the more important for him to go on this mission, to prove to himself he is no less a warrior than he was before. You should be able to understand this. Our covert operation is one of stealth. If it goes as planned, we shouldn’t see any fighting.”
    “Kusac ...”
    He could feel the complex emotions Kezule was trying to keep to himself as if they were his own. “He’s my friend,” he said simply, letting the General go. “I won’t let any harm come to him, Kezule.”
    “Go,” Kezule said to M’kou with an effort. “Get fitted with your suit like the others. You’ll accompany the Captain.”
    “Thank you, General,” M’kou said quietly before executing a crisp salute and leaving.
    “If you prevented him from going, it would eat at his soul,” said Kusac, not taking his eyes off Kezule. “It’s what he was bred and trained for, by you.”
    “I know, but I don’t have to like it,” Kezule ground out through clenched teeth.
    “If it’s any consolation, because he does it this time, he’ll probably be content to leave it to his brothers in the future.”
    “I hope you’re right, Kusac. I’ll see you down in the landing bay at 04:00. Good night.”
    Kusac watched Kezule stalk out of the hall before leaving for his own quarters, where Zayshul was waiting.

Winter’s Realm
    Vartra sat on the window seat, staring out at the snow-covered landscape. The branches of the resin trees were still weighed down by the snowfall of a few hours earlier. “Spring’s late this year,” he murmured. “It’s Zhal-Arema already.”
    The snow white Goddess lying curled on the bed laughed softly and propped herself up on one elbow. “More time for us to be together.”
    “I should be leaving.”
    She made a little mewling noise of protest, like a kit deprived of a treat. The sheets rustled as she rose to her feet. “You’ve been away too much this winter already. You belong to me during this season.”
    Vartra ignored the implicit complaint, concentrating instead on trying to armor his senses against her. He could smell her faint perfume, spicy and rich, hear her soft tread even on the furred rugs that covered the floor of her bedroom. He resisted the temptation to turn, knowing too well the effect her unclothed body would have on him. Even now the blood was pounding in his ears, and his heart was beating faster as he sensed her stop just behind him.
    “Spring will come soon enough,” she said, her breath cool on his ear and cheek as she laid a hand on his shoulder. “This is our time.”
    Like a magnet, her presence drew him to face her. Deep, icy-blue eyes regarded him from within her white face. Around her shoulders, the waves of her hair lay like a cloud seen high up in a winter sky.
    “You’re cold. Come, let me warm you,” she said, reaching to touch his cheek.
    Her scent surrounded him and he found himself reaching clumsily to cup her face in his hands. Like a starving beggar, his mouth covered hers, kissing her deeply, burying his hands