Rhal Part 5 Read Free

and he glided through the darkness, taking comfort in the cold.
    Then Tave had to ruin it. She needs you, Rhal.
    She. There was only one she on his mind.
    He needed her. When standing in that room, facing death, he needed her to stand at his side. Not in front of him, taking the full force of the king’s rage. Not cowering and breaking beneath the pressure. He. Needed. Her.
    Rina says to stop being an ass hat and swim your happy fishy ass up here because God help you… There was no missing the aggrieved tone of Tave’s voice and Rhal smiled. Those two were good together, her laughter offsetting his seriousness.
    Much like him and Cara.
    Rina, I am not speaking those words. Males do not speak of dicks and mating pockets. It is not done. No, I shall not threaten his ability to sire children. Obviously Tave forgot to lower his volume. You would ban me from your bed?
    There was no missing Tave’s horror, and Rhal smiled anew. The perfect couple despite their battles.
    Despite…
    The single word had him wondering if he had been too harsh. Then he recalled the looks on so many faces now that they knew his true identity due to the trial, so many males once wary of him due to his strengths, now pitied him. Or rather feared and pitied him.
    It was the pity that hurt most.
    Rhal, Rina has said she will bar me from her bed if you do not return. I will certainly hunt and kill your sorry excuse for a male if you do not return. I will not be barred from the principessa’s bed! You may run and hide like a child after you have made my mate happy.
    Rhal kept his mouth shut. If he had wished to return, he would have. And then Tave spoke once more.
    You owe me this.
    Did he owe the prince anything? His memories told him yes, he did. For the small bits of joy in his life, for his demand that Rhal accompany him to begin his rule over Earth, for his silence about Rhal’s identity to the Ujals who called Earth home, and for caring for Cara when Rhal refused.
    I will come.
    And he prayed to the seas that he did not regret his decision.
    Rhal flicked his tail and slipped from the darkness, rising from the frozen depths to the warmer waters. He gradually heated as the temperature changed and slowed as he approached the couple waiting for him.
    Why am I here? He did not try to hide his annoyance.
    Cara needs you . The principessa spoke before Tave uttered a sound. Faim said only you can help her. You have to go to her, Rhal. Quit being a whiny baby and get over yourself already.
    A whiny… Get over himself?
    Tave groaned. Rina…
    Don’t Rina me. Shit happened to you, Rhal. Now people know you’re not just a bad ass, you’re the biggest badass there is. You’ve accomplished so much even though they damn near broke you. I’m sorry we all found out that way, and I know Cara is wrecked that she hurt you, but suck it up buttercup, and get your ass over there. The principessa was on a roll. And if you don’t, I will drag your ass there myself.
    Rhal raised a single brow.
    Fine. I’ll make all the high guards drag your ass there. Rina waved her webbed hand, and he noted the two dozen males who came forward, their tridents in hand.
    He was beaten. By the principessa’s words and his driving need to see Cara. He could not stop his craving for her. One look, a moment of his time, and then he would truly disappear. Hide from the whispers that were sure to follow him.
    Let us go. He flicked his tail, slipping past the males sent to keep him corralled, and headed toward Tampa’s beach—to UST.
    * * *
    Cara had received the last injection and suffered through its effects for hours, but now it was over. No more infusions, no more rushes of arousal that made her ache for Rhal, no more embarrassing questions from Sece and no more pity from Faim.
    No. More.
    She relaxed on the deck chair, enjoying the sun on her skin and the sound of the waves as they lapped at the shore. Peace and serenity came toward her but couldn’t fully embrace her in their