“Go to him, then, and see what happens,” Zion said. “He’ll die sooner rather than later. I’ll be happy either way. But, if you stay with me, I will protect you from him and save your sister. The choice is yours.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Stalker shocker!

HE’D FOUND HER! It had only taken a day.

When Nola had dared dismiss Bane, he’d thought she hoped to save Zion from his wrath. Then he’d realized she feared for Bane’s life—which was far worse. A sickly royal lacked confidence in his skill. The indignity! He would teach her better. Soon.

Bane had used their connection and her incredible scent to track her to a mountainous land known as America.

He fumed. Had he used the word incredible to describe honeysuckle? He’d meant despicable. Of course. Although, sometime during his centuries away, he’d begun to associate honeysuckle with home. How he missed Adwaeweth. He’d met Meredith there, trained with fellow soldiers and planned a future.

Anytime he’d envisioned the future, he’d never pictured a dark-haired royal who made him feel as if he were two men. The smart one who despised her, and the lusty one who wanted her desperately, madly, who felt like he inhaled sex every time she neared.

Again and again, Bane’s lusty side replayed the moment Nola pressed her small, delicate hands against his chest, her skin as soft as silk. How her pupils had expanded, those starry irises more mesmerizing than a nebula. How she’d flushed, making him desperate to touch her, if only to feel the burn—he’d wanted to burn. How her feminine curves had molded to the hard planes of his body.

As soon as he had Nola in his possession once more, he would squire her away and pick another female to sate his body’s needs. No more reluctance. Pain, yes. There would absolutely be pain. Saying goodbye to Meredith... But necessity beat sentimentality, so, there would be no reluctance. He had to vanquish any desire he harbored for the Terran princess.

Since Nola had already puzzled out the truth, she knew she held mystical sway over him. He couldn’t force her to stay with him—as he’d proven. He required her cooperation.

Bane stalked down the sidewalk, determined. The beast unleashed an earsplitting roar, protesting the pursuit of the royal. Remain calm. Do not transform. He stuck to the shadows, multiple humans stopping to gape at him. Why? He’d washed the blood and dirt from his skin. He’d even stolen proper clothing—a black T-shirt and some kind of “camouflage” pants with multiple pockets. His daggers were hidden in his boots.

Get in my way, get mowed down.