Free Davies, Corinne - Claiming Destiny [Midnighter Seductions 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Corinne Davies Page B

the bathing girls get too close. With Destiny here, he would imagine that the warriors would be finding different times to bathe. While he and Jag enjoyed every bit of their Atan’s body and didn’t care who watched them, they weren’t about to let simple bathing girls share in that. He knew his warrior brothers would show her unlimited respect and kindness. The obvious reaction of the woman was proof that the bathing girls would either ignore Destiny or they would see her presence as a challenge. He could sense Jag’s frustration in trying to extract himself from her clutches. Falcon appeared in the doorway, promising her all sorts of extravagant gifts.
    By the time he reached their rooms, Jag had caught up with them. His sheepish smile melted away when Destiny refused to look at him. Rock thought it was fitting. For all the razzing Jag had given him about frightening her, he wasn’t much better when it came to judging their Atan’s reactions. Even Rock could sense her white-hot jealously. Perhaps because he was carrying her it was more apparent, but she felt like she was burning before it morphed into resignation.
    She hadn’t said a word and Rock imagined that she was planning her escape. A plan he was going to have to talk her out of. Trying to leave here couldn’t be more dangerous to her health. They had so much they needed to tell her about, but for the first time in his life he was afraid. Afraid that she would run away if she knew the truth. A low growl escaped his lips at the thought of her falling into the hands of their enemies.
    “You sound like that animal when you do that.”
    “What do you mean, Atan ,what animal?”
    “What does Atan mean and what language is it?” she volleyed back at him.
    Rock wasn’t foolish enough to tell her the truth yet and sent Jag a sharp look over her head. They both had slipped up numerous times referring to her as their wife, and he knew that wasn’t something she was ready to hear or accept.
    “It’s a beautiful flower that is only found floating in the most magical ponds.” Jag grinned at her and Rock breathed a sigh of relief at his quick answer.
    She snorted at Jag. “Yeah, whatever, Casanova.”
    “Destiny, you mentioned an animal?” he reminded her, hoping to distract her from furthering her argument with Jag.
    “Oh, it was last night when I was hiding between the boulders. I was so scared, I think I imagined it, but it looked like a black panther coming at me. It must’ve been one of your shadows on the rocks. I even sprayed it with the pepper spray. A poor choice because I ran right into that cloud and that must be why I slipped. I did slip, right?”
    Rock was relieved that she didn’t remember seeing him lunging at her again. No good could come from that memory. “Yes, you slipped and banged your head against the rock.”
    “That’s why there was so much blood in my hair. Head wounds bleed more than anything else. I can’t even feel anything, so it must’ve been a small cut.”
    He and Jag’s eyes met over her head. There was nothing small about the injury she’d sustained. They’d passed through the portal in a panic thinking they’d already lost her. Thank the gods IxChel had felt their terror and met them as soon as they arrived.
    “IxChel is our healer and she’s very talented. She made sure you didn’t feel any permanent damage.”
    “I owe her huge because I don’t even have a headache. You must have some powerful painkillers here.”
    The three of them entered their rooms and Destiny’s mouth opened as she gazed around the room. “Oh, my God, this place is amazing!” She wriggled around in Jag’s arms looking around the room. Since the tiles had been covered with thick coverings, he decided it was warm enough and placed her on her feet and let her explore the room.
    There was a heavy knock at the door and Destiny jumped. “Don’t worry, there’s only one man here who knocks like he is about to break the door