Free The Divine Unleashed (Book 3) by Allen J. Johnston Page B

back as he bent and picked up the neatly folded pile.  He vowed that if he was able to get his hands on fate right then, he would have throttled her.
    Kade walked around the corner, out of sight of the pool and let the towel fall.  The air felt good on his skin as he dried.  He shook out the clothes and surveyed them as they hung from his hands.  They were light, but not too light, nor were they too thin.  He rubbed them between his fingers and nodded, pleased with the feel.  He pulled the pants on and then pulled the top on.  It was snug around his shoulders but widened as it moved down his arm.  They stopped at his wrist and hang down almost a foot.  He could hide a loaf of bread in those sleeves.  The pants were the same.  He waved his arms around and smiled at the affect.  The sleeves flowed smoothly through the air.  It reminded him of the king and queen’s fur.  He walked up and down the tunnel, marveling at how comfortable the outfit felt.
    “These move pretty good,” Kade said as he walked back into the open room.  Darcienna held a towel up to herself and waited for him to notice.  His eyes took in what was going on, and without slowing, immediately turned and walked back out.
    “Sorry,” Kade called over his shoulder as he walked down the tunnel.
    “Give me a minute,” Darcienna called back but her tone was still unfriendly.  There was definitely still ice there and it had nothing to do with the cold spring.
    “Just call out when you are done,” Kade yelled back.  “The queen says they are waiting for us.”
    “You may come back in,” Darcienna called out.  “She said nothing of the kind,” she added as she glanced at the queen.
    “She said it here,” Kade said as he walked around the corner and tapped his head.  She looked at him, studying him closely to see if he were playing games with her.  Kade did not see the suspicious look in her eyes or he may have realized that she was more confused after the explanation.  He turned to go and then stopped with his back to her.  Darcienna started to walk past him, but before she could take two steps, he grabbed her by the arm, spun her around, wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into a deep embrace.  Darcienna put both her hands on his shoulders, ready to push him away, but the moment his lips touched hers, every last little bit of strength in her body evaporated.  Her lips molded to his and she melted into his arms.  Her right hand slipped over his shoulder to mix with the hair at the back of his head.  After several long seconds, he let her go and confidently turned to walk up the tunnel. 
    Darcienna was stunned to the very core of her being.  No calling or Nature’s gift could have affected her as profoundly as that kiss.  She fought to regain her breathing as her hand drifted up to her mouth.  She could still taste his kiss on her lips.  The queen stood by, watching curiously.
    “Forgive me but I must ask.  Is that normal for a man to…do that to his mate?” Rakna asked curiously.  It took a long moment for Darcienna to realize that the queen was addressing her and even longer for her to formulate an intelligent response.
    “It is,” Darcienna said.  That was the best she could do while her mind grappled with what had just happened.
    Kade worked his way back to the Great Hall.  It was filled with spiders from wall to wall.  There were spiders in every doorway.  They were on the walls and some even hung on the ceiling.  Some had different markings on their body but they were all of the same shape and size.  Doren and the king were by the throne, talking.  Kade started toward the king, and the spiders parted easily for him.  He walked up the steps and stopped in front of Crayken.
    “Many leaders from the other clutches will be here.  They all want to hear what you have to say,” Crayken said as he turned to lead them to a table that sat behind the thrones. 
    Kade bent his arm at the elbow while