The Regent actually laughed. “Seriously, have you ever tried to force Sasha to do something she didn’t want to do?”

“You mean like telling her to stay out of the line of fire at the vet clinic?” That was going to give Larem nightmares for years.

“Exactly. She’ll marry you because that’s what she’s made up her mind to do, even if you haven’t asked her yet. By the way, I don’t know how things are done in your world, but the men here like to do the proposing.”

“It is the same in Kalithia.”

“Then better ask her sooner rather than later, or she’s likely to steal your thunder.” Chaz looked toward the door. “And here’s your opportunity. Before she runs me off, thank you again for my daughter’s life, Larem.”

Then he snagged Chance’s collar. “Come on, dog. You’ve shed enough in here.”

Sasha kissed her dad on the cheek and gave Chance a quick hug as they passed her on their way out. What had her dad been saying to Larem? She’d told her father everything that had happened. He’d taken it all pretty well, including the fact that Larem was Kalith and that Sasha loved him enough to give up her career with the Regents if necessary. He was still reeling from the news that he was going to be a grandfather.

She wasn’t sure either of them would get over her godfather’s betrayal anytime soon. He’d been such a huge part of her world, and his absence would leave a big hole in her life. That he’d been behind the attacks on her was almost unimaginable. An investigation had already been launched, and only time would tell how many more heads would roll.

But right now, she had more important things on her mind. Namely, the handsome man sitting on a cold stainless steel table. God, she loved him so much. Those beautiful pale gray eyes that spoke so eloquently even when his expression was so solemn. Right now, they looked at her with an intensity she could feel in her bones.

“Larem, please tell me my dad wasn’t being a pain.”

He reached out for her, spreading his knees wide so she could cuddle in close with her head against his chest and her arms around his waist.

“No, actually, he offered me some sound advice.”

There was definitely a hint of laughter in her lover’s voice. “And what’s that?”

“That I should hurry up and ask you to marry me before you got it in your head to propose first.”

Her face flamed hot, partially because her father was interfering and partially because he’d been right on the money. Before they crossed that line, though, she had questions of her own to ask.

“I still plan to apply for the job as Regent. Can you live with that?”

“Yes. The Paladins need what you can do for them. Can you live with the knowledge that there will always be people who hate me for what I am?”

“That’s their problem, not ours. If we do this, you know you’ll have to give up your world for good.”

“No, actually I won’t.”

Larem crooked his finger and used it to tilt her chin up. He looked deep into her eyes and beyond. “Sasha Willis, don’t you know that you and our child are my world? Marry me?”

The man sure knew all the right answers. But then, so did she. “You bet I will.”

His mouth quirked up into a smile and she melted into him. Then she kissed him to seal the deal.

Turn the page

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at the next irresistible Paladins novel

from

Alexis Morgan

The Darkness Beyond

Coming soon from Pocket Star

D.J. bent low and started forward, his gun in one hand, sword in the other. The blade would be his first choice of weapons, but he couldn’t risk the Other getting the upper hand with Reggie depending on D.J. to rescue her.

The Other rose up to look around. Had the guy decided that he’d only been imagining someone dogging his footsteps? Maybe, because after ducking down briefly, the Other stood again to stare up the trail. After a few seconds, he started forward, his sword at the ready. D.J.’s prey moved slowly, his head sweeping from side to side, testing the night air and hunting using his sense of smell.

It was easy to know the instant the male picked up D.J.’s scent. The Other froze in midstep, slowly bringing his sword up into attack position. From where D.J. stood, he could take the Other out with a single shot. Tempting as it was, D.J. holstered his gun and followed the Kalith, Larem’s sword in his hand.

He was able to get surprisingly close before the guy realized he was no longer alone. He’d started backing up, only to realize that his prey stood right behind him.

D.J.’s predatory nature had him smiling. “Looking for me?”

The Other didn’t hesitate but spun and charged forward, swinging his sword in an arc designed to slash D.J.’s head from his shoulders. He blocked the blow with his own blade and shoved the bastard back a few steps.

D.J. taunted his opponent. “Tsk, tsk, is this how you usually greet guests in Kalithia? I didn’t see any of us trying to kill you while you were in my world.”

He went on the attack as he spoke. “Of course, I would’ve skewered both you and your buddy had I gotten the opportunity.”

The tip of his blade sliced open the Other’s cheek. Blood flowed in dark contrast to his pale skin, but the wound was more painful than serious.

“Did I mention that was my woman you kidnapped?” D.J. danced forward and marked the male’s other cheek the same way. “Tell me who has her and why, and I promise to ease your passing.”

The Other rejoined the battle, doing his own fair share of taunting in heavily accented English. “You will die screaming in my world, Paladin. I will celebrate your death by taking your woman to my pallet. I have already tasted her kiss and held her body against mine.”

D.J. fought to control his burning fury, knowing cold hate served him better in a battle to the death. He studied his opponent’s technique. The Other was good, but not great. No way this guy had the skills of a Sword Guardian. He might get lucky, but he’d never defeat D.J. on skill alone.

One thing was clear. The Other wouldn’t offer any useful information, not unless D.J. subdued him long enough to use some creative interrogation techniques. There wasn’t time for that, and it was doubtful the information would be reliable anyway.

But from the increasing panic in the guy’s fighting style, the dance was about to turn lethal. So far D.J. had managed to stay out of striking distance, but it was going to come down to stamina or bad luck.

With a bellow loud enough to wake the dead, the Other charged one last time, nicking D.J.’s sword arm and then shoving him backward. D.J. ignored the stinging pain and pushed back, causing the Other to lose his footing right at the edge of the drop-off.

For a handful of slow-motion seconds the Other hovered there, his arms pinwheeling until he finally lost his balance and went flying backward over the edge. His scream echoed through the valley, only to be cut off in midnote when his body crashed onto the rocks below.

D.J. peered over the edge in a futile attempt to determine if the Other was still breathing. All he could tell was that the Kalith wasn’t moving. Rather than wasting his time climbing down to make sure, D.J. opted for retrieving his pack and taking off down the trail after Reggie.

If the Other’s dying scream had carried as far as the campfire, his partner might panic. At the very least, he’d be waiting for D.J. now, most likely armed and ready to use Reggie as a hostage.

This time, D.J. wouldn’t hesitate to use the Glock. He ran full out, grateful for the boots that Barak had loaned him. They made little noise as he tore through the darkness. As he ran, he ignored the pain in his arm, his near exhaustion, and his lungs’ struggle to filter enough oxygen from the thin air.

All that mattered was getting to Reggie.

Her captor was practically twitching with nerves. So far, Jeban had been the calm one, but with Kolar gone so long, he paced restlessly, stopping every so often to listen to the night.

She knew the instant he sensed something because he turned in her direction, his pale eyes reflecting the flames of the campfire. His hand hovered over the pommel of his sword, as if unsure about drawing his weapon. What had he heard that had him so freaked out? Rather than sit there on the ground, she rose to her feet, not sure what she intended to do. But whatever was about to happen, she’d face it head-on.

“What’s wrong, Jeban?” she asked, even though she doubted he’d actually answer. “Are your friends coming?”

He shook his head. “They aren’t due until late tomorrow afternoon. Kolar went hunting. It appears he found something.”

No, not something. Someone.