“I’ll be content to call her an acquaintance,” Tegan’s smile held no malice which caused the words to wound Michael more.
“We need to go eat,” Sloane interrupted them both.
“Yes, I am hungry.” Tegan agreed as he led them from the training room.
“Sentinel Tegan.” She turned to see Jasper behind her. “Commander Bryce is holding an Elite Guard meeting in five minutes. He asked for you to join him if you are finished with training the recruits?”
“Of course. Sloane, save me food!” Tegan called as she hurried away with Jasper.
“Seriously, did we check she wasn’t part machine?” Sloane shook his head at Michael as they resumed walking.
Michael laughed as he glanced once over his shoulder at Tegan’s retreating back. “No. We did not, but… maybe we should.”
* * *
Commander Bryce helda brief meeting detailing where his Elite Guard were to be stationed before the sun went down. Tegan was allowed out of the monitoring station and was once again paired with Jasper. They were to be stationed at the back fence, where the Drakhyn had spoken last time. Castors had worked all day on reinforcing the wards on the fencing and the grounds. All three Casts had joined in their Casting, ensuring that the spells were the strongest. Tegan wondered idly who Cord would have deemed worthy of joining with his spell, deciding he probably wasn’t here yet.
When the meeting was over, Tegan met Sloane coming back from the kitchen with a tray of food for her. He carried it to her room for her and kept her company while she ate her lunch, careful not to take anything off her plate. A few – deliberate – near misses with Tegan’s knife had Sloane realise she wasn’t joking when she didn’t share food until she had her fill.
Tegan was enjoying a longer shower than she usually had, her hair piled high on her head in a messy bun. The warm water soaked into her skin, easing some tension in her muscles. She knew she wouldn’t relax, the outcome of tonight was too unknown, but it was helping as much as it could. Stepping out and wrapping a towel around herself, she walked into her bedroom, pleased she had remembered to lock the adjoining room door. Sloane forgot sometimes and just walked in.
A soft knock on her outer door caused her to frown, glancing at the clock, knowing she hadn’t spent that long in the shower, she crossed to the door.
“Kai?” Tegan didn’t manage to hide her surprise.
“Quick, before your brother or cousin sees me,” Kai pushed his way in able to do so, due to Tegan being off guard. She was standing in a towel after all.
“Are you okay?” Tegan asked as she watched him. Kai suddenly realised she was clad only in a towel and his eyes travelled slowly over her. Tegan knew about male attraction, she wasn’t prepared for the level of desire in his eyes or how uncomfortable she felt as he looked at her. “Kai? Why are you here? Are you okay?” she asked again, shifting uncomfortably under his gaze.
“I am now,” he smiled at her. Kai was attractive, short blond hair, pleasing physique and blue eyes, Tegan knew she was attracted to him. But that didn’t mean she wanted him to be in her bedroom, staring at her in her state of undress.
“Maybe you would be better to wait outside, while I get dressed?”
“And have Michael see me?” Kai shook his head. “Nuh-uh. I wanted to see you. Anyway, that towel hides more than the outfit you wore on your first day here.”
“It does?” Tegan looked down at the white towel, it reached mid-thigh, showing her bare legs and feet. “Oh, I see why Sloane hid my training clothes,” she gave a light laugh.
Kai walked towards her, cautiously Tegan took a step back. “Don’t be so timid, Tegan, it doesn’t suit you.” He reached out and gently took her arm, pulling her into him. Or tried too, Tegan resisted. “Tegan, I want to hold you, will you let me?”
“Oh, I didn’t realise,” her cheeks flushed as she looked at him, her frown deepening.
“You’re so amazing, but so utterly clueless too,” Kai laughed softly.
“I am? How?”
“Shh, just let me hold you,” Kai tugged gently on her arm and she stepped forward. His arms came around her, not the familiar way that Sloane’s did, and she felt herself stiffening. “Relax, babe,” he whispered in her ear. It wasn’t the same as when Cord whispered in her ear, it made her stiffen more. She heard Kai sigh in disappointment and hoped he was done with the hug.
A knock on the door caused her to step back, Kai grumbled under his breath, running his hand through his hair with frustration. Tegan hastened to open it, hoping it was Michael.
“Little tiger, you should not be opening your door dressed likethat,” Cord smirked at her as he moved off of the doorframe. He stopped suddenly when he saw Kai. His eyes flashing to Tegan’s in annoyance. “Why is there a male in your room?” Cord strode passed her into the room ignoring Tegan’s cry of protest. “Correction, why is there adishevelledmale in your room?” Cord turned to her, his hard stare pining her in place.
“He wanted to hold me,” Tegan answered, clutching her towel a little tighter. She didn’t know why, but Cord looked angry at her.
“Holdyou?” Cord turned to Kai, raking a hot glare over the slightly shorter male’s frame. “Get out.”
Kai went to protest, Cord flicked his wrist and Kai was gone.
“Delfar’s mercy!” Tegan cried out in shock. “What did you do to him?”