I turned my back and inhaled a shaky breath. “I’m going to let them know I’m offering myself to them, as long as they don’t hurt Tegan or possess her. And then I’m going to go in alone and unarmed to keep Sil distracted. You, Jim, and Henry will get in some other way, and it’ll be your job to get Tegan out so that I can escape without worrying about her.”

“Jim and Henry better have some intelligence for us when we get there, then,” he said. “And you can turn around.”

I did, to see him lacing his boots. He was wearing bracers over his shirtsleeves, the leather cuffs that protected his forearms from Mazikin claws and teeth. He’d also strapped on his vest. When he saw me eyeing him, he said, “I won’t be trying to blend in, and I figured I could use the extra protection.”

True enough. I looked down at myself, at my shredded dress, at the dried blood on my skin, wishing I had some armor of my own. I couldn’t wear any because Sil had to believe I hadn’t gone there to fight. If I could play my part, it would give the other Guards a chance. Still, I wanted to cover myself in thick plates of molded leather, anything to keep those fingernails, those teeth, those hands away from me. Then Malachi stood up, and the look in his eye gave me everything I needed. Without thinking much about it, I walked into his arms. He wrapped them around me, placing his hand on the back of my head and holding me against his armor-plated chest. I put my arms around his waist and held on.

“I won’t fail you,” he said.

“I know. I’m only worried about failing you.”

“You won’t … Captain.”

I smiled. For the first time in a long time, it didn’t feel like he was using the word to put distance between us. I tightened my grip on him and closed my eyes. “When we’re done kicking their asses, you and I are going to talk, all right?”

Even through his leather armor, I felt his heart speed. “Because I was out of line.”

Of course he would think that. I slid my hand over his chest and around the back of his neck. “Did you hear what Ian said to you, how you were a—”

“Clueless idiot. Yes, I caught that, thank you.” But there was hope in his voice.

“Here’s a clue.” I got up on my tiptoes and pulled his face to mine. Our lips met for the briefest moment, unbearably sweet and tender, full of promise. I sank back onto my heels. “Tonight, okay?”

He stared down at me, looking like I’d just hit him over the head, but then the most gorgeous, wolfish smile spread across his face. “Tonight.”