Scowling, Bane paced underneath the tarp, thoughts of Nola tolling on. If Drogo hadn’t decided to let her go, she would have died. She would have died badly, and Bane would have been unable to save her.

Can’t lose her. Not her.

He stutter-stepped. I care about the woman who controls my future? He...might.

Damn it! From now on, he had to remain on emotional guard.

Since the transformation had torn his clothes to shreds, Bane stalked to the trunk and liberated a pair of leathers and combat boots. As soon as he’d tucked his shaft behind his fly, he reached out to Nola.

Where are you, dove? Dove? The endearment left him without permission, and yet it fit her: small, delicate and graceful. The beast is caged. You have nothing to fear from me, I swear it.

An extended pause. Then—I’m home.—

Her breathy voice filled his head, igniting powerful, seething lust. He told himself, Must remain on guard.

Then, he pushed his voice into her head once again, saying, I won’t harm you again, you have my word. Tell me to come to you. Please. Would she do it? Let me teach you how to fight, how to lead your soldiers and how to help me defeat Aveline. You can yell at me for what Drogo did. Then, Bane would talk her from her pique. Or kiss her from it.

No! No more kissing Nola. No more touching her, either.

Again, her voice drifted through his mind.—Zion is here. He’s doing something to me. Something I don’t like, though I don’t know what it is.—

A growl rumbled in Bane’s chest. Zion was doing something to Nola, so Zion would pay. Let me see through your eyes. Let me see what he’s doing to you.

—How?—

The explanation rushed from him, a sense of urgency all but setting his feet on fire. To communicate telepathically, a queen and her warrior must be linked. You have the ability to deepen our connection.

When he felt a pinprick inside his brain, he said, Yes, dove. Just like that.

Suddenly, the world around him blackened. He blinked, another world appearing. He saw a small bedroom, with lots of pink and lace, and worn furniture unworthy of a queen.

This was working! Satisfaction punched him.

Look at Zion, he commanded.

She obeyed, craning her head to the side. Zion sat on the bed, too close for Bane’s liking. The male had a bloody diamond pinched between his fingers—a diamond he’d ripped from his torso, judging by the bleeding hole left behind. He pressed the gemstone against Nola’s forehead, and Bane knew. The combatant hoped to capture her thoughts with energy manipulation.

With a snarl, Bane grazed his thumb over the Rifters to open a portal. Having seen the room, he could now travel there anytime he wished.