Punished, Tana Stone [top reads .txt] 📗

“It is when you use the skills I have taught you against a female who clearly has no interest in your attentions.”

Donal’s cheeks were mottled an ugly patchwork of pink and red, but he drew in a breath and forced out a laugh. “You know what females are like. They say no when they mean yes.”

A muscle ticked in Corvak’s tight jaw, and the tip of his tail vibrated behind him. “I have never found that to be the case.” He leaned in close to Donal. “But let me be clear. If I ever see you accosting the female again, she will not be the one slamming you to the ground. And when I do it, there is a good chance you will not get up.”

Donal pressed his lips together and backed away, shooting a final murderous glare at me before turning and stalking off.

Juliette let out a small squeak, her hand clamped over her mouth.

Corvak’s gaze tracked Donal until he disappeared into the village square, then he turned his attention to my sister. “You are the baker.”

She nodded mutely, her gaze shifting between me and Corvak.

“I believe it is you I have to thank for slipping me one of your rolls the other day,” he said.

Juliette dropped her hand from her mouth. “I’d just watched you drink an entire mug of algae tea. You needed it.”

He bestowed a rare smile on her. “You were correct.”

“You shouldn’t have done that,” I said to Corvak, ruining the moment. “He’s a bad enemy to have.”

“A Vandar does not stand by and watch a female being attacked.” His dark eyes heated as they held mine. “You are sure you are unhurt?”

“I can take care of myself and fight my own battles,” I said more sharply that I’d intended.

“I know you can, but battles are never won alone.” He tore his hot gaze from me and bowed his head at my sister. “Thank you again.”

When he walked away, we both watched him for a moment before Juliette turned to me. “What in the name of the two suns was that?”

Chapter Fifteen

Ch 15

Sienna

“Like he said, he hates bullies,” I said, pushing open the door to our dwelling as Juliette followed behind me. “He saw Donal picking on me and had to step in. He’s a Vandar raider. He would have done the same for anyone.”

The living area was empty, and we both exhaled in relief that our father wasn’t slumped over on the couch or staggering drunk around the kitchen looking for a spare change so he could buy more liquor. The scent of my sister’s baking had faded, but the smell of fermented algae had not taken its place—a sure sign that our father had been gone for a while. If we were lucky, he was working. If we were unlucky, he was merely resupplying himself.

“I might be your younger sister, Sienna, but I’m not an idiot, and I’m not blind.”

Nerves fluttered in my stomach. I wasn’t great at hiding my feelings from Juliette. She usually knew everything about me, so it felt odd to keep something from her. “I never said you were, but I’m not sure what you think you saw.”

I deposited my cloak on the back of the couch, walked into the kitchen, and poured myself a cup of water, thirsty after a long day of counting sacks and crates and eager to avoid my sister’s searching gaze.

“That Vandar does not look at you the same way he looks at me or any of the other residents of the planet. He might have stepped in for anyone, but he wouldn’t have looked at them like he looked at you.”

My cheeks warmed at the reminder of Corvak’s hot gaze, but I chugged the water and shrugged. “I didn’t notice.”

Juliette made a scoffing noise. “If he has some sort of crush on you, he’d better be careful. You were right about one thing. Donal and his minister father are bad enemies to have.”

Now it was my turn to scoff. “I don’t think tough Vandar raiders do crushes.” I let the water I’d gulped down cool me off before turning and heading for the shower. They also didn’t exercise caution, which was why I knew Corvak wouldn’t care how powerful Donal and his father were.

My sister followed me down the short hall as I peeled off my top, tossing it through the open door to my bedroom so that it landed on the bed. I’d never been particularly modest, especially around Juliette, so I ignored her sharp intake of breath as I kicked off my pants and added those to lay beside the discarded top.

“That can’t be from today,” she whispered, as I edged by her in my underwear and stepped into the bathroom.

“What?” It was only when I glanced at the warped reflective surface over the wash basin that I spotted the bruises blooming across my arms and thighs. Some were fading to a sickly yellow, but others were deep purple.

Juliette’s shocked expression gaped at me in the reflection. “Is this from father, or Donal, or…?” She clapped a hand over her mouth as her eyes filled with tears.

Damn. I turned and grabbed her by the shoulders. As much as I would have loved to blame my bruises on my father, or even Donal, I couldn’t lie to her. And apparently, I couldn’t keep my training a secret from Juliette any longer.

“It’s not from either of them, I promise.” I held her eyes. “If I tell you how I got them you have to swear that you won’t tell anyone.”

Her blue eyes became round with shock as she stared at me.

I gave her shoulders a small shake. “Promise me, Juliette. Promise me on our mother.”

She went still. When we were girls, promising on our mother was the most solemn promise we could make to each other. We never said it lightly, and we never broke those promises. As she finally nodded, she allowed the hand to