Releasing Maladek: A Clecanian Series Novella (The Clecanian Series) by Victoria Aveline

Author:Victoria Aveline [Aveline, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-02-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

“Do you think the Sieliji will come out to patrol these tunnels once they realize you’ve escaped?” Katie asked as she climbed over a mini rockslide blocking their path. They’d been walking for a few hours now and the cave system had gradually changed, the smooth glassy walls becoming matte black and porous. The perfectly round shape of the tunnel had morphed too. She could still see the path of whatever ancient quallie had burrowed through here, but the walls were no longer smooth and unbroken. Instead, long crevices and alcoves pocked every inch of the stone.

“No,” he answered from behind her.

The warmth and strength of his hands made her movements slow as he gripped her waist to steady her. Katie had the uncharacteristic urge to feign clumsiness and slip. Would he sweep her up into his arms if she did? Regretfully, he released his hold once she’d cleared the loose rock and walked beside her instead.

“They hibernate during the night,” he explained. “That’s why they lock themselves up. They go into a sort of stasis and are unable to defend against an attack. They wouldn’t risk exploring the caves this far since they’d be forced to spend the night unprotected.”

The warm, spicy scent of his heated skin made her want to bury her face in his chest. She inhaled through her mouth. “How do you know so much about them, anyway?”

“I made sure to learn all I could.” His eyes shifted to her for a moment before he glanced away. “I came here willingly.”

Katie’s steps faltered, and she couldn’t help but stare. “What? Why?” A pinched look crossed his face in the dim, swinging light of the lantern. Whatever his answer might be, it wasn’t something he wanted to talk about. “It’s all right. You don’t have to tell me.”

Maladek let out a breath. “No. I want you to know all of me. The good and bad.”

A shiver skittered down her spine at his words. The idea was so innocuous yet sounded so intimate when uttered in his deep, gravelly voice. As if he didn’t merely want her to know all his secrets, but craved it.

“I was in a bad way with an illegal trader.” He dug in the pack as he talked and handed her a nutrition bar. Katie took it, torn between staying silent for his story and thanking him for his thoughtfulness.

No one ever took care of her like this anymore. Since she’d been abducted, taking care of others had become her whole life. She found she liked him tending to her needs far more than she should. Getting used to this kind of treatment was a dangerous thing.

“My father worked as a master carver in our mountain, and he took on a young apprentice who showed a fair bit of skill. The boy practically grew up in my house and became something of a little brother to me. But he was always so headstrong. Never satisfied with his life there. He wanted to venture out and explore the universe, so when he came of age, he did.

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