Rivian was her mate’s fiercest rival…and brother.
The war between the Ka’lagh brothers was a thing of legend on Reylea and her mate’s brother was feared among most lion tribes. His tribe was cruel and killed anyone who didn’t join their ranks.
She knew Rivian.
Had met Rivian.
But she didn’t remember traveling with him yesterday like the men had said. She didn’t remember anything about arriving in this strange cold world. When she’d awoken this morning, she hadn’t recognized anything. Known anyone.
Her mind was swimming in confusion. Why could she remember being home yesterday?
The men this morning had treated her with indifference. Like she was a lowly prisoner instead of a queen. How had the Ka’lagh managed to get her? And now, in this place with this other lion male, she was free of her bonds.
Was leaving her loose a trick?
He’d been a massive male, easily the size of her mate’s lion. Equal to Rivian’s beast as well. This warrior was from a strong line. Bigger than any of the others who’d been dragging her along today.
She scooted over on the large cushioned object she’d been placed on.
Her arm hurt a lot, it was still out of joint from when those males had hog-tied her to stop and make camp for the night.
Even with her lion’s strength, it wouldn’t have mattered, with her arms wrenched out of place she hadn’t been able to budge the ties at all. And shifting was out of the question, unless she didn’t want to be able to walk for a week.
Her glance flew to the small window nearby. It was still night. Not too much time could’ve passed. She needed to find a way to get back to Tallix.
A soft glow from a metal box filled with fire in front of her. A long black pipe stretched from the box all the way to the ceiling.
The only other light in the dwelling came from a couple of candles sitting on a table on the other side of the room.
She lifted her useless arm and pressed it tightly to her chest, gritting her teeth through the pain. Where was the male who had set her free? Where had he come from? Why had he saved her?
The clump of heavy feet drew her attention to the back of the cabin.
The back door opened and the huge man walked in. He had long blonde hair with many braids trailing halfway down his back, head shaved on the sides, similar but not exactly like Rivian and his crew. Each pride had their own way of styling their hair.
He was obviously Reylean, but she didn’t know him.
The most frightening thing about him was the white glow radiating from his skin.
No. No. No.
It couldn’t be. He couldn’t be a potential mate. That’s not how Fate worked.
She had a mate. She had a husband. A king.
She was queen of La’Tar—a vast continent on Reylea—revered among all lion tribes.
None of this made sense.
Why couldn’t she remember how she got to this place?
She scrambled to her feet, stumbled. Forgot about her injured arm and couldn’t catch herself fast enough before she flopped onto the floor.
“You should be resting.” His voice sounded gruff and gravelly and sexy as hell.
Good grief, what was wrong with her? She shouldn’t be thinking about how sexy his voice was or any other part of him. He was the enemy. He was keeping her from her mate—from Tallix.
“Who are you? Are you with Rivian’s pride?” Her tone was probably harsher than it should’ve been.
He dumped the firewood from his arms near the stove, and knelt by her. He reached out, and she flinched.
She hated herself for showing weakness. She was a queen. But all day long she’d been hit and dragged and kicked and mauled.
Everything hurt.
She feared being touched.
“I’m not going to harm you, female.” The man’s voice was still low and rough like someone chewing on rocks.
She didn’t speak. It didn’t matter what he said. She didn’t believe him. He would hurt her eventually.
A low rumble vibrated from his chest and his face went dark. He was angry. It wouldn’t be long now.
His large hands closed around her waist. He lifted and set her back on the cushiony thing. Then he got up and walked away.
He rummaged inside a smaller enclosed area, digging through a storage area on the wall. A few moments later he came out with a red box in his hands.
“You are injured. Either you take your pants off, or I will do it for you.” He jerked his chin toward her pants where blood had seeped through. There was no question in his tone. Just an order.
But she didn’t follow orders. She was a queen. How dare he feel free to order her to strip in front of him. But he didn’t seem to know her identity.
Rivian’s warriors all knew her name. They’d taunted her all day. Punished her for being royalty. Told her she was nothing in this world. Nothing but Rivian’s slave.
She’d just been trying to survive today.
Trying to make it through.
Trying to put pieces of memories together, but didn’t have any pieces. She’d tried to figure things out by listening to the Ka’lagh warriors, but all they talked about was fucking women and hunting food.
But she was so tired. Her arm hurt so badly. And she was so nauseated and hungry.
Fight. Her lion whispered, reminding her of what was needed to survive against cruel males.
“Don’t you dare touch me” She put as much venom in her voice as she could muster.
He looked at her, his blue eyes glittering with gold. He was just like the Ka’lagh warriors. Except she didn’t see the hatred and disgust in his eyes that she’d seen today with Rivian’s warriors.
“You are injured.” The way he spoke made it sound as if that were the sole reason he wanted her to strip.
“You will not touch me.” This time her voice carried the anger and disgust of a queen whose word was never challenged. She wasn’t giving away anything. Knowledge of her rank and station on Reylea would only give him more power.
The growl in his chest got louder. He was pissed. Probably not used to receiving orders from a female. He seemed like an in-charge male, similar to Rivian and her mate.
“Would you rather I fix your arm first?”
She knew her arm was bad. Knew it was out of position. Knew the pain of putting it back into place would be excruciating.
She didn’t want to cry. Didn’t want him to see her break. But she knew the pain would be too much. Even her lion wouldn’t be able to help her tough it out.
Her arm throbbed again, sending lines fire through her whole body. She was already close to passing out. The damn male would probably do as he pleased while she was out cold. Somehow that thought scared her worse than him doing things to her while she was conscious. At least while she was awake, she would know what was happening to her.
“I’d rather you not touch me at all.”
His eyes narrowed and the rumble in his chest didn’t stop. “I’m here to help you.”
“I don’t believe you.” Her voice was no more than a whisper.
“I’m Saul.” He spoke softer this time. The rumble in his chest stopped. “I apologize for the pain this will cause you.”
Pain this will—what!
He moved so quickly. He took hold of her arm and put a knee against her chest, pinning her against the large arm of the couch.